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.

Grizz | Why he chose this path

I pursued a career in music because I always had a passion for the craft. Certain rhyme schemes, cadences, harmonies, and figurative language, really lured me into it. I love performing and interacting with people. While I worked at almost every job you can think of, I never felt fulfilled. I just knew it was something I had to do to survive but I never felt good about it. Read more>>

Camille Jones | Dancer/Choreographer/Writer/Collaborator

Pursuing a creative career was inevitable. Creativity is in my hardwiring. From creative problem-solving to crafting poetry about lived experiences or creating dances from movement I see in my mind, creativity has always been a tool I’ve used to navigate life and make sense of the world around me. Since childhood, I’ve always been drawn to various artistic mediums such as film, dance, writing, and music. Over the years, I’ve realized that my innate fascination and curiosity with the arts is largely due to the freedom afforded by self-expression. Creativity comes from within and doesn’t need permission to exist. We’re all born with a level of creativity in the way that we think and perceive and therefore actualize goals. Read more>>

Frank Mena | Costume Designer

I’ve always been involved with the arts, starting from about 5th grade. It was only when I was 15/16 that I started getting into costume design. Before then, I was singing and acting. But I think the main force behind moving this from a hobby to a small business was just the realization that the clothes and costumes I make have a positive effect on the people that wear them. Its always my goal to make sure that ANYONE who wears anything I make is comfortable and makes them feel the most beautiful. Read more>>

Kinah Marie | Illustrator & Creative

Pursuing a creative career has always been a dream of mine ever since I was very small. I think many artists will tell you that they started creating or drawing as soon as their little hands were able. The seedling that started it all was being surrounded by creative people growing up. I’m the first “artist” that I know of in my family, but my dad was a singer and still sings to this day, my uncle plays the guitar, and my grandma loves to sew and make random figurines out of paper (she always sends a couple of her creations over as Christmas presents). Read more>>

Rainese Williams | Aka Ladybugg recording artist and entrepreneur

Creating brings me happiness and healing. Also I believe it’s a gift from God. Many times I’ve thought about giving up. There’s times I’ve taken a break but at the end or the day walking away has never felt right with my spirit. Read more>>