We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Cat Barthel | Artist and Upcycler

Creating art has never been just a hobby for me, among the fact it’s something I’ve enjoyed it’s also been extremely therapeutic for me as well. I believe a lot of people can relate when I say that when you’re in your flow state, the calmness and soothing qualities of being in your zone is something that can’t be synthesized. Read more>>

Lizzy Sarnes | Art Director & Studio Artist

Having an artistic career was hardly a conscious choice. I have been crafting and creating since I could hold a pencil. By age three, I made anything and everything I imagined using whatever household items I could get my hands on. This practice quickly labeled me as the “creative one” by my small-town community, and that reputation followed me as I moved to new cities and even new states. Read more>>

Li Fang Hsieh | Artist and Graphic Designer

Besides expressing myself freely, I wanted to create art that could bring joy or service to my friends and family because they are the source of inspiration in my artistic career. It’s always a rewarding experience to see how people react to my work, and it motivates me to work harder in my practice because it brings me joy to see their reaction to my work. Read more>>

Robert Louthan | fine artist / muralist / educator

I chose to pursue an artistically creative career as a response to impulse; having always been drawn to creativity and exploration since I was a child, it has been the only constant in my life. At no juncture did I ever consider doing life any differently, and to this day it is not always easy but the impulse to make and create things continues to be a driving force in continuing on this path. Read more>>

Aeron Reinhardt | Photographer & Digital Artist

Drawing, painting, building things with clay, and sewing were all hobbies I enjoyed as a kid. I got my first part-time job when I was 14 years old, so by the time I graduated from high school I had gotten a chance to try out several different jobs, and get an idea of what I liked and disliked about each out them. Read more>>

Christopher Nairn | Realtor & Designer

I’ve always been pretty artsy with a business edge. I just love looking through design boards and exploring new design trends/concepts. I feel like creativity runs through my veins..from my overall aesthetic, designing properties, cooking meals etc. My perspective on life is, how can I make this better and a bit more fun? It only made sense for me to jump into design and Real Estate. Read more>>

Franklin Cruz | Writer, Dancer, Cultural Worker, Nerd

At first it wasn’t really an option and over time it became one. I was studying biology in college and was offered a position with a non-profit to teach at the intersecting themes of nature, culture, arts and leadership. It launched my visibility into different communities outside just art. Read more>>

Tatyana Grechina | Artist

I’ve been drawing and painting ever since I was a child, and as I got older it became ingrained as part of my identity. Initially, there was a lot of ego involved for me — I needed to be the best painter, the best artist among my peers, draw the best face I could. Read more>>

 Santie Cronje | Creative entrepreneur

As a child I was pretty good at drawing and Biology was my favorite subject in school. I just loved drawing and illustrating plants and insects. I decided to take Art as a major subject in High School and these early years were definitely the foundation of my creative career. Read more>>

Sara Culler | Photographer and Graphic Designer

I decided to pursue a.n artistic career when I landed a chronic, potentially terminal health condition. I took a couple of camera, and darkroom technique classes for black and white analog photography back in Sweden in my late teens, but never took it to the next level. Then, 20+ years later, photography made a re-entry in my grownup life when I was diagnosed with a chronic, potentially terminal illness that in 2012 forced me to leave my day job. Read more>>

Watik Aleem | Cheif Operating Officer and Entertainment Executive

I decided to get into the entertainment business due to my son wanting to become an artist. I found out early in his career that he was pretty talented and wanted to support him as much as possibly. I also had been working with another local rapper who’s name is Kingdom was an up and coming artist. I’ve always wanted to getting into the music business and my son was the way in. Read more>>

Matthew Peterson | Photographer, Actor, Writer, Film Maker

I always liked the idea of telling stories. Whether from film and acting to comedy and photography to content creation…there’s so many great ways to tell a story. Read more>>

Tommy Schneiders | Actor, Filmmaker, Cartoonist

It found me. I was an engineer and college football player. Neither went well. With the help of my parents I found animation and soon acting. You can see my newest series at BurdsTV.com. Read more>>

Ross Ryan | Record producer/touring artist

I’ve always been enamored with the arts and creating gives me a sense of purpose. I think that’s was people really need in life to feel fulfilled, whatever that purpose may be, music was definitely mine. Initially I was interested in being a fiction writer but a path in music took shape quickly and I began to pursue that direction more heavily after high school. Read more>>