What’s Your Why?

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.

Tracey Hayes | Artist & Illustrator

Ever since I was a small child, I loved to draw. Creating and making things brought me such joy. When I was dreaming of what I wanted to be when I grew up, I thought of all of the things I loved – animals and art. Read more>>

Mark Ludy | Creator of Art, Books & Games

To become an artist didn’t fit with my early ideals I had for my life. The only picture I had in my mind was a starving artist and this I embellished by imagination, seeing a man with sunken cheeks, rocking with crazed eyes in the fetal position on a barren room floor… then later maybe lopping off his ear! Read more>>

Leli Lensamo | Artist and Medical doctor

Because I wanted to! I was born and raised in Ethiopia, Africa. Most African parents forbid their children to pursue artistic or creative careers, instead they push them to follow the conventionally acceptable paths such as medical careers, a career in engineering or law. Read more>>

Chelsea Romaniello | Illustrator, Designer and Purveyor of Whimsy

Like so many people in the creative industries, it feels like eventually a creative career pursued me. At a certain point I just realized that I was going to spend my time taking on creative projects no matter what, so I might as well make a career out of it. Read more>>

James Fisher | Music Producer & DJ – ALIGN

I was incredibly inspired by going to shows in college. When I was around a very party-forward culture and I found myself at shows where groups were having equally good times just centered around music. I was so blown away by that, that I realized I wanted to be the person providing the atmosphere and music. Read more>>

Kathy Fish | creative writer & writing teacher

I was never completely happy in non-artistic, non-creative jobs. I got all kinds of “messages from the universe” about this that I just kept ignoring. I found myself always drawn to writing and the arts in general. My brain just isn’t cut out for an office job. I can concentrate for hours on writing a short story, but in my previous jobs I struggled. Read more>>