We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.

Stefan Anderson-Findley | Musician

There was one point in my music career where I quit my day job to pursue music full-time. This was pre-pandemic days and lasted a couple of years until the pandemic closed everything down and forced me back to Pueblo, my hometown, to find myself in the day job routine once again. The lockdown became a blessing in disguise though, bringing my now wife and I together and having our first kid since then (if you can believe in a silver lining to the pandemic). Read more>>

Mateo Ramírez Rose | Indigenous Artist

I’ve worn a lot of hats, I’ve been a server, caregiver, gardener and now I’m going all into my art. Before I began to pursue my art I was in a very manipulative and controlling marriage. I was essentially expected to be a house spouse on top of working 78 hours a week as a caregiver for my mother in law at the time. This absolutely destroyed my mental health as this was happening congruent to the pandemic. Read more>>

Sara Violet | Multifaceted Artist

I stepped into an artistic career after years of pondering the possibilities. After years of looking for “they career” that I would genuinely feel drawn to. I have always used art as a form of self expression, often finding myself deeply connected to my art and in that felt deterred from sharing. Read more>>

Morgan Eledge | Artist, Reiki Healer, Visionary & Dreamer

Ever since i was a kid. There is this thing, this energy. I feel it. I always have, it moves through me trying to flow into this reality any way that it can. There is so much going on in this world right now. The only thing that feels right is to co create.. To express an flow with emotions instead of trying to hide, or numb them, but tap into these parts within myself and bring them out into this world for others to see.. Read more>>

WilliË Schandel | Musician / Actor

When I was a kid, I didn’t learn to speak until I listened to a song on the radio and that’s how I found my voice and I knew my destiny right then and there was music so as I got older, I got into it more finding my biggest inspiration through The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, and then it progressed to Ozzy Osbourne, Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, Motörhead, Metallica, Judas Priest, iron maiden, and introduced me to my love of all of other genres as well. Read more>>

Evan Barrientos | Conservation Photographer and Filmmaker

I’ve always wanted to help conserve nature. I started my career in ecology and wildlife biology with field jobs around the United States. At the root of each conservation issue I worked on, I saw a lack of awareness or appreciation of nature. During that time, I was becoming increasingly passionate about photography and filmmaking as a way to support conservation. Read more>>

Brandon Hnedak | Me

So my passion for creation stemmed from my need to take apart things. I always wanted to know how things worked. I started out with taking speakers apart, then small toys, then watches further down the line. My need to understand how products were built and used intrigued me. I would often be able to figure something out just by looking at it. So after years of this I took watches apart in 2012 to fulfill my need for perfection. Read more>>