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.

Sam Craig | Makeup Artist

I spent most of my life with the desire to pursue a creative career. I found myself drawn to how unique and free artistic expression can be, and hooked on the overwhelming feelings of success, accomplishment, and pure joy that comes every time I finish a new creation. When I was a child, I was in love with art class. I knew I had strong artistic abilities and it felt good when I got to do something that I knew I was good at. Read more>>

Kelcey Schroder | Owner | Professional Photographer

I had a wonderful childhood filled with creativity and exploration. My mother played a significant role in fostering my love for artistic mediums, including bead work, braiding, stamping, music, sewing, scrap booking, and card-making. Additionally, I would frequently visit family members’ small businesses in my hometown, where I learned valuable skills such as counting back change, putting price stickers on new inventory, making cappuccinos and lattes, stocking displays, and interacting with customers. Read more>>

Kevin Venkatesh | Landscape and Lifestyle Photographer

When I was 8 years old, I started drawing. In class, I was constantly doodling and sketching cartoons and anime on the corner of my pages. When I turned 10, I started playing saxophone in band, eventually playing in jazz bands and groups through college. Once I started middle school, I starting playing drums and guitar, and even some piano, playing in rock bands and eventually writing my own songs. Read more>>

Insomniac Drives | Post-Rock Band

Jacob and Jesse have been playing music together since high school, so when we first started making music with Insomniac Drives it came easily, especially with the addition of such great musicians and friends in Jules and Nick. For us, music is the only thing we could ever do. We have all dreamed of playing in a rock band and touring and bringing our music to others, and we feel extremely lucky to have been welcomed by the Denver scene. Read more>>

Ayla Rose | Creator

As a young child, I enjoyed drawing, like many other children. However, my passion for it didn’t develop until I was a preteen. I took a small art class where I learned to draw Disney characters. After that class, I started drawing all the time and gradually developed my own style throughout my teenage years. Read more>>

Janis Wille | Expressive Arts Therapist

Since I was a child, the expressive arts have been a saving grace for my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. When I was three years old my father left my mom and I. When I was seven my mom passed away from lung cancer. I became a ward of the state and was assigned guardian parents that were friends of my mom. My guardian parents began to notice how these early childhood challenges impacted my development, academics and social skills. Read more>>

Stephanie Greenwell-Lynn | Interior Designer and Space Planner

My dad is an Architect, he has a masters in restoration of historical buildings, so, from a very young age I was exposed to countless architecture and design books; I used to go with him to some of his projects’ job sites and I remember vividly the smell of the buildings prior to restoration; I got to witness my dad working his magic and bringing the spaces back to their original beauty, his passion for his trade is contagious. Read more>>

Sandy Marvin | Painter in pastel and mixed media

My life has been a creative journey. “Making stuff” brings me the greatest joy and always has.I like to cook, I used to sew a lot. I have been a medical illustrator, a calligrapher, an art teacher and a pastel painter, which is my current means of creation. As an introvert, creating visual art has been my means of expressing who I am, what I love and what I want to convey to others. Read more>>

Joseph Ferris | Caricature Artist

I have pursued an artistic and creative career because I need to in order for me to be a happy person. I’ve tried different types of jobs like Working at a nursing home, working in the mental health field, working construction. In every job I have found that if I don’t have the opportunity to grow and use my creative mind I quickly become depressed. For me creativity is less of a choice and more of a MUST. Just like a bird must fly, a fish must swim, a mosquito must wine, I must have the freedom to overcome obstacles, work hard and see the results of my work! Read more>>