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.

Edie Peterson | Artist, Calligrapher, and Small Business Owner

I decided to pursue an artistic career because I’ve always been creative and inventive and come up with random artistic things and styles since I was a kid. I would print out quotes on sheets of paper in black ink because that’s all I had access to, then color them and decorate them with stickers, markers and gel pens then display them across all of my bedroom walls. Read more>>

Anden Wilder | Children’s Book Illustrator and Mom

I am a creative in the sense that it dominates my life and everything that I do. I feel like I am always trying to get into that head space where I can kind of zone out and create— whether it is painting or drawing or cooking— whatever I am doing is driven by my being a creative person. Read more>>

Sara Emmitt | Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Doula and Ceremonial Musician

I love the saying: “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” As I was designing my business and deciding how I wanted to offer my trades, I had this intention in mind: I want to always love what I do. So what do I love to do? I love to help people feel better. I love to play music. I love to create. Read more>>

Dan Drossman | Visual Artist

For me, I believe that you can succeed at anything that you enjoy doing and that you’ve spent a lot of time doing. Since I can remember, I’ve always made art, and I’ve always loved the struggles and the excitement of creating something from nothing. Read more>>

Chesney Midcap | Photographer

One big motivators for pursuing an artistic career is that I needed an outlet that I could do to keep my depression at-bay while being able to provide for my family. I found myself at a crossroad one day that went between staying safe and comfortable but burnt out in my job that I may or may not get a raise in or to do something completely risky and take a full leap into photography and see where it takes me. Read more>>

Mandy Hess | Business Owner & Floral Designer

As they all say, the creative career chose me, I didnt choose it. In all seriousness, I have always loved art. I really started to enjoy it in high school and took as many art classes as I could. Upon entering college, I realized sociology wasnt as cool as it seemed (no offense,). Read more>>

Jennifer Hohlfelder | Artist

I feel like my art career chose me. I started studying art under a grad student in the art department at CU ten years ago because I knew I’d love it. After spending years in sales, then owning and selling my own skincare business and ultimately ending up as a bookkeeper, a friend came to me to hang art in a new hair studio. Read more>>