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.

Richard Glick | Abstract Modernist Painter

I grew up with two older sisters. One introduced me to Picasso and other 20th century artists at a very early age. For reasons I cannot explain, I was then, and continue to be, drawn to the art of the 20th century. I spent a career as a furniture and commercial interior designer-a profession that blends creativity with business. There is a business side to being a painter, but painting, and making art, are more fully immersive and creatively satisfying processes than executing projects as a designer. My current work belongs to both the 20th century and today. It’s infused with my design sensibilities-balance, color, texture , scale, media and space-while harkening back to the work to the work I have admired my entire life. Read more>>

Maria Gabriela Bueno | Artist & Art Teacher

I would say I didn’t choose the artistic path, it chose me. Without art in my life, I would have withered up emotionally. It encompasses my life and the way I think. When I saw the works of historical artists and contemporary illustrators’ works as a little kid drawing with crayons, I knew I wanted to achieve that level of artistry, and it has been a lifelong goal and obsession I couldn’t shake throughout a lot of phases. Even if I chose another path, I wouldn’t be able to erase the dead set mental dedication I’ve had for so long. Read more>>

Jason Goldstein | Photographer

I have always had a love for film and photography since I was a little kid. When I graduated college and moved to Hawaii for a couple of years that’s when I started taking photography and video much more serious. I started watching YouTube videos on how to edit. I decided to move back to Arizona and purse a business in photography. I started meeting up with other creatives as well as doing my own projects. I am happy to still be working in this field and looking forward to what is on the horizon. Read more>>

Millie Gosch | Plein Air painter

I didn’t pursue my art it pursued me. At a very early age I knew I wanted to be an artist. I was always drawing or painting on something. It’s like breathing. Just something I have to do to exist. Read more>>