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.

Matt Cottle

We didn’t choose creative careers because it was the easy path, we chose them because it’s who we are. This isn’t something we’re just trying out. It’s what we’ve always done, what we’re driven to do, and what connects us to the world around us. Music and art have been at the center of our lives for as long as we can remember. In fact, the three of us met at a local concert where Matt was performing, and Liz was live painting. That shared love for creativity is what brought us together as friends, and it’s been the foundation of our collaboration. Read More>>

Lian

I started to pursue an artistic/creative career because of the insane amount of passion and creativity I have within myself and how i truly wanted to world to see me and what I do. Music was the one thing in life that has always kept me intrigued, from a very young age. From 3 to 5 years, I was playing piano and taking lessons and writing music in my free time, it is for me a true form of my expression in art. Read More>>

Cara And Will Brethauer

We both have had a passion for creativity from a young age, whether drawing, watercoloring, or snapping photos for fun. Will’s junior year of high school, however, put everything into perspective for him — he had a serious injury during a soccer game, causing him to sit out of sports for a while. This was heartbreaking for him at the time, as sports were his life. A few weeks after his injury, his dad encouraged him to pick up a camera since he wasn’t able to play sports. From there, Will documented school events and sporting events and began interning with a wedding videographer. He quickly fell in love with sharing stories through the lens. Will went on to major in film in college, knowing he wanted to pursue a career that he loved every day. Read More>>

Phoebe Bliss

I pursue an artistic career because I’m human, and to be human is to create, and to create is to look inward and further reflect upon yourself, and the ever changing world around you. My whole life I’ve always been creating art, but I fully think about pursing a career in it until high school. Once I realized I could be capable of doing so, I didn’t question it whatsoever, I practically jumped into the art department at Snow College without any clue of what I was going to do career wise, because that didn’t matter.  Read More>>

Harlee Renner

I developed a love for creating through baking about 10-11 years ago. I made Minnie Mouse themed cupcakes with mini Oreos and a chocolate bow mold and they were a huge hit! It sparked my further interest in creating more with baking and I taught myself everything I know through trial and error and watching videos online. I made my sister’s wedding cake in 2015, which felt like such a huge accomplishment and I have only grown since then! I have found such joy and peace in what I create and the joy it brings others pushes me to continue doing so. Read More>>