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.

Raluca Pintea | Model

I decided to purse a career in modeling because since I was little I have always wanted to be someone others can look up to and be inspired by. The same way I looked up to other models and my dream to become that pushed me to prove to my self that I can do It. Read more>>

Karen B Bracamonte | Owner at Naye’s Makeup

Since I was in kindergarten I would always get excited about projects and creating stuff, but I always ended up adding my touch or creating something different then the rest of the kids. as I grew I loved to paint ceramic loved art class (but wasn’t the best at drawing lol) I made and sell head bows and headbands for little girls till I found my niche in makeup and beauty!! Read more>>

Joy Kendrick | Creative & Entrepreneur

I feel like my career pursued me, I tried the corporate world but it never really satisfied me. I always felt so free, open and joyful when I did what I enjoyed and what allowed me to express myself. Read more>>

Andria Muñoz | Jewelry Designer

Absolute freedom. The freedom to create and the freedom to control how I spend my time is very important to me in this life. Read more>>

Will Armijo | Founder & CEO (my funny title: Killer of Diets)

I was forced into it. I tried very very hard to “fit in” to the cultural norms of getting good grades in school, being good at taking test, and getting a degree before entering the workforce, etc. I even went as far as to obtain my MBA. What I realized is that I wasn’t designed for the system. The system doesn’t honor creativity. It takes creativity and visualization to turn what’s in your mind and in your heart, into something tangible. Into something relatable, absorbable, and beneficial for society. School, and the system doesn’t teach you that. I was always a C+/B- student just because I was able to “complete things” but I always did bad on test because I couldn’t memorize anything and I couldn’t read very well. Read more>>

Amy Robinson | Graphic Designer + Boss Fox

I have always had a knack for everything artsy and creative. My mom would always comment on how I was always drawing on or creating something. It was such a fun outlet for me as a kid and I knew early on that I wanted to do something within the arts field when I grew up. I bounced between Fashion Design and Media Arts & Animation, but really fell in love with Graphic Design when I designed my own wedding invitations. I had no idea what it was at the time, just that I wholly enjoyed it and could easily see myself doing it for the rest of my life. Additionally, I got so much joy out of making my own wedding invitations. Read more>>

Alex “Chili” Jankowski | Barber, Photographer & Visual Artist

I pursued a creative career because it’s all I really know how to do. That’s just how my mind works. Read more>>

Kristin Kulpa | The Crafty Pickler

My whole life I have been creative, it is actually my favorite quality about myself. I love looking at things in a different light, thinking outside of the box, finding ways to approach things that others may not. It keeps life interesting and exciting. Without creativity and artistic mindsets- life would be dull. When pickling things, there are so many different ways you can do it, or different ingredients you can use. That is why I call myself The Crafty Pickler. Read more>>

Jazz Torrez | Artist

My artistic career has always been driven by my passion for the arts and my need to create. If I’m not producing art then I feel like there’s something missing and I’m not contributing or communicating anything. In high school my artistic ability and creativity were things that set me apart from others, and I learned that my creations were something I could share with the world when words failed me. I decided to apply to art colleges, and luckily was accepted into California Institute of the Arts (CALARTS) in Valencia, California. While I was in college I realized that making art fulfills me more than anything else. That was when I knew I had to make sure I could always incorporate artmaking into my life, no matter what other occupation I had. Read more>>

Blanca Estela Olivas | Beauty Influencer & Artist

I love doing makeup, not just on myself but on others. I found something I was truly passionate about and something I was really good at and that was makeup! Nothing makes me feel as confident and more like myself then when I am behind my mirror or camera creating beautiful glamours makeup looks. You can be so expressive with makeup and when I create makeup looks it represents what I am feeling that day. For example, if I am creating a colorful look (witch is most fo the time) I am usually in a great, bubbly, & happy mood and I love playing with colors so I use my colorful looks to make me feel even more happy then what I already am. Read more>>

Katie J. Douglas | Novelist

I started teaching high school English when I was 22 years old. I’ve always loved the written word. I love books, poetry, short stories, anything really. It has always been a dream of mine to write a novel, and I tried and failed for many many years to do so. Writing for me is like therapy, expressing myself creatively is just sort of like coming home. I realize now more than ever that I need it in order to be myself and to be happy. I think everyone needs to be creative in order to be human, we just all express it in different ways. Read more>>

Brittany Noriega | Artist & Ally

My primary goal in life is to help others. I have this calling deep in my heart, and being in love with the arts and art history is a close second. I’ve been a life long artist but never believed anything professional would come of it. I began doing some reading and research as a stay at home mom, and I started reaching out locally and getting involved with galleries and professionals in my area. I realized that I can utilize my artistic talents to create change and help others, to build and strengthen my community, and I will never look back. Read more>>

Brianna Johnson | Tattoo Artist

I pursed a artist career because art is always what called to me. Im able to be myself and put my all to my art. I meet some amazing people and hear amazing stories. Read more>>