Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Brian “hypnautic” Godeaux

Music saved my life. Plain and simple. I didn’t just choose this path—it chose me. Growing up, I dealt with things that could’ve broken me, but music became my escape, my therapy, my way to turn pain into something powerful. Read More>>

Sarah Brown

I was introduced to the lifestyle of an artist at a young age of 17. Once I knew the opportunities were out there, the possibility of being self-employed really appealed to me because of the peace and freedom I was seeking in my life at the time. Read More>>

Taylor Petty

Have you ever stumbled upon a shoebox, full of old photographs? It is like opening a time capsule. As a child, I would get so excited to go through all the photos that had been stored away. Read More>>

Stefani Bucher

From an early age I was highly artistic and coming up with original ideas has always come naturally to me. Listening to music and traveling were constant inspirations to my creative mind. Read More>>

Anastasia Ovanessoff-housley

I pursued a creative career because I have always thrived in artistic environments. Ever since I was a child, I was drawn to creating—whether it was drawing, crafting, painting or finding new ways to express ideas visually. Read More>>

Artemus Norman

Since an adolescent, I’ve always had a passion for music, helping others, math, and numbers. My math passion started in 4th grade when I won the multiplication challenge and beat everyone in my class. Read More>>

Caitlin Elizabeth

I pursued an artistic and creative career because art played a transformative role in my own healing journey. During my recovery, I discovered that creative expression gave me a sense of peace, self-discovery, and connection that I hadn’t found elsewhere. Read More>>

Kayla E. Willis

I laugh to talk about it now but six months before I graduated college I had what I called “my quarter-life crisis” that led me to begin working in a creative career. I went to college for sports broadcasting and after a lifetime of athletic pursuits and sports being a huge part of me I was convinced that I would want to work in sports my entire life. Read More>>

Jaclyn Baer

I chose to pursue an artistic and creative career because I wanted the freedom to work for myself, build something on my own terms, and prove that creativity can be a sustainable and fulfilling path. Read More>>

Macey Sigaty

I come from a bloodline of artists, and as I grew up surrounded by it I learned that art is how one shapes the meaning of one’s life. Creating art, for me, is essential. Read More>>

Lucy Hancock

Art has always been an impulse for me. I find it frustrating but unavoidable, starting with graphite drawing when I was younger and now painting, it’s just something I have to do. Read More>>

Colleen Osborne

I’m not sure I decided to pursue an artistic or creative career, and yet here I am working in a few different ways creating content and a healing space for people. Read More>>

Cara Gabriel

I am a child actor born in CO. I had a friend that was interested in acting and they had introduced me to the world of acting. I had no idea what it was, but I found it was like playing pretend and I was all in! I quickly learned that it is a lot of hard work. It is not easy to smile at a lamp and pretend it is your dad and react to him while keeping your face toward the camera. Read More>>

Jameson Gregson

I had a largely musical background growing up. My mom and stepdad were both in the church choir, as well as hosted many of their vocally talented friends at their home for weekend dinners. Afterward they would pass the guitar around and sing tons of folk songs: James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Beatles, etc.. Read More>>