Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Jeremy Voltz | Singer-songwriter / artist

I always sang and played music as a hobby growing up, but academics was my main focus. When I finished my doctorate in mathematics, I was so burned out I said screw it, I’m gonna take a year and pursue music full time. If it flops, I’ll keep pursuing my math career. I didn’t realize how much I needed to create art. I finally felt like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, and I never looked back. That was six years ago. Read more>>

Jordi Rowe | Visual Artist & Pathologist

Actually, I didn’t originally pursue an artistic career. Back in the day I chose a career in medicine. Art was always important to me but never seemed readily attainable. I felt I never had the background, the depth, or the skills to successfully practice painting as something other than a hobby. In 1993, when I applied to university, my mother was dying from breast cancer. At that time, I made a promise to her to succeed in medicine. I continued painting but without any real forward momentum or depth to my work. Years later, when I was working as a breast pathologist at the Cleveland Clinic, I decided to follow through with my dream of gathering skills and knowledge in the visual arts. It all came full circle as having a foundation in a rigorous field such as medicine really gives me the freedom to be the type of abstract painter I need to be. As a pathologist, errors are potentially life altering, defining moments between survival and death. With paint, errors do not exist; they are as intended, and any mark can be wiped away or painted over and incorporated without major consequence. Recognizing this gives me the joy and freedom to paint without the corollary of heavy responsibility. Read more>>

Scarlett Ripberger | Poet

I’d like to say it runs in the family, everyone in my family has some type of arts they like to participate in whether its music, painting, or writing we all love the idea of self-expression being creative allows. I didn’t initially pursue art as a career, it’s honestly been a passion project. I had a big push to pursue writing after my mother’s untimely death. I was really struggling to find poetry that helped with the loss. My mother was an amazing writer, and she always encouraged my writing, so I started sharing my work with the world in hopes of helping others. Read more>>

Wayne Rhoden | Father Goose Music

I did not pursue an artistic or creative career it pursued me; from an early age, I was told that I had to gift to entertain people yes to change someone’s emotion from a bad day to a great day, and from then on, I made it my duty each day to put a smile on someone’s face. Read more>>

Stephanie Hicks | Boudoir Photographer

Photography has been my passion ever since I could remember. A spark fires inside of me every time I get behind the camera. Being able to help uplift other women and show them how beautiful they truly are has been one of the best experiences I have had. Read more>>

Spike Yee | Musician/artist/freelance MC

I chose to pursue an artistic/creative career because for most of my life, it was what I was naturally good at. As a child, my art and music classes were always a breeze (and the only classes I got consistently strong A’s in). Factor in the years of music lessons (piano, drums, guitar, vocal) and my time spent on stages in my early years, it only made sense that I would gravitate towards this realm as a professional career. Read more>>

ProtoJ THA ThreaT | Artist & Dimensional Translator

I always have enjoyed music and how it brings people together. I personally enjoy the therapeutic side to it. I can vent my emotions, portray a picture, and relate to people around the globe. I love being able to show people different perspectives by layering the details into the lyrics as well as the beats. If I’m able to possibly help someone’s day for the better, by putting out my art, it’s most definitely worth it to me. Read more>>

Jasmine Carswell | Dance Instructor

I pursued a creative career because Dance has always been a part of my life along with a love of music. It gives me just the space that I need to have time to self, explore my passions and also has created so many beautiful relationships within the city of Toledo and even further than I could have imagined. Skills in Heels is everything I have wanted, and we still have bounds to reach, Not only did I want a space to create new material, I wanted to create a place where the adult can unload their work week, fall in love with themselves and train to become an even better dancer. I still work a 9-5, yet having dance in my corner, definitely gives me a sense of freedom. Read more>>