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.

Eva Elizabeth Hadad

The journey to building a career in photography has been filled with bumps and uncertainty along the way. I fell in love with photography in high school where I learned how to use a manual film camera. I spent all my free time developing film and exposing paper in the dark room. I decided to continue my photography work at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York which was one of the leading photography programs in the country but also came with a high private school price tag. Read More>>

Brian Raitman

I decided to pursue a career in the arts because I wanted to do something beautiful. I wanted to create a space for people that would be a respite from all of the craziness in the world. Somewhere where people could visit to let things slow down for a bit and simply appreciate what humanity is capable of creating with little more than our hands as our tools. Read More>>

Jon Young

I choose to purse art because it’s what gets me excited. Creating and making things is like no other. So I choose to pursue tattooing. Tattooing has always been an interest. Not in the art business sense, but the metal aspect of carving images and words into people. Read More>>

Kendra Visioli

For me, a creative career was the perfect mix of structure and flexibility. I wanted to be able to work with families and a variety of people, but also wanted to be able to stay home to raise my kids. I liked the potential to play with my artistic craft, while also maintaining the structure and routine of a business. Read More>>

Greg German

I don’t think it’s really a choice. I have to produce something tangible on a regular basis. It scratches an itch. Design ideas hit me and become obsessions that I have to work and re-work. Over the years, engineering problems have slowly crept in to become as rewarding as art-for-art’s-sake. That seems funny to me now since I did so poorly in math and physics in my teens – but now I am inspired by functional sculpture. Read More>>

Nicole Adkins

My journey to Animal Friends Alliance has been an exciting and fulfilling one! I’ve always sought out careers that allow me to explore my creativity while also making a positive impact on the world. My undergraduate degree is in fashion merchandising, and I spent a few years working in the fashion industry before realizing I wanted a role that combined creativity with a deeper sense of purpose. Read More>>

Lindsay Meyer

I have been interested in photography for as long as I can remember. I think partly because I hated having my picture taken myself so I wanted to be the one taking the picture instead. I was always quiet growing up, and taking pictures as a way of expressing myself intrigued me. Read More>>

Lexi White

Until recently, I put all my energy into a STEM based education in hopes to pursue a STEM career as I was under the impression that an artistic or creative career was simply too risky and not rewarding. Read More>>

J. Claire

I decided to pursue an artistic career because art has profound healing powers and it continues to provide me with an outlet for self-exploration, connection, and growth. I started writing poetry when I was twelve years old as refuge while enduring years of emotional distance and silence from my stepfather in our home. Read More>>

Joe Tardif

Lately, I’ve been leaning more into my creative side because I’m naturally curious. While I may not be the one telling the stories on my podcast, I put a lot of thought into the message I’m curating through my guests. Read More>>