Artists and creatives face innumerable challenges given that their career path often doesn’t come with a playbook, a steady paycheck or any form of safety net. It’s definitely not easy and so we asked a few of the artists and creatives we admire to talk to us about why they chose to pursue an artistic or creative career.

Elaina Ferguson | Dj, singer-songwriter, producer (Stagename V3NUS)

Because it makes me feel alive. Working a nine to five for someone else’s vision or someone else’s company made me feel like I was drowning. I am an artist. Creating puts a smile on my face and a skip in my step. If I can create something and someone is willing to buy it…I feel alive again. Read more>>

John Otte | author

Because at my heart, I’m a storyteller. I’ve always been a storyteller. Facts and figures may slip out of my mind shortly after I hear them, but if I encounter something as part of a story, it tends to stick. And for as long as I can remember, my lifelong goal was to be a published author. Read more>>

Ariel Sax | Storyteller, Filmmaker, & Editor

Had you asked me at fifteen what I want to be when I grow up, my answer would have been something in the medical field. Pursuing an artistic career, let alone starting my own business, would have not even been on the table. In fact, that thought would’ve scared me to death. Read more>>

Kate Walsh | Artistic Director

Since the moment my Mom took my older sister and me to see Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker, I knew at seven years old I wanted to be on the stage dancing. Of course that is every little girls’ dream to become a ballerina, but I was determined to make that dream come true. Read more>>

Justin Wood | Artist

I went to art school because I wanted to design album covers for my favorite bands. I wanted to work in the music business. I was already building websites and creating artwork for my band in high school so the idea of doing something for a living that I was doing for fun was very attractive. While I was at art school my 1st year painting and drawing teachers encouraged me change majors from design to fine art. I fell in love with painting. The process. The smells. The history. I decided that I wanted to pursue a career as a painter and support myself with design. Read more>>