We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.

Marti Olsen | Singer-Songwriter & Producer

Since I was as little as six years old, I loved to sing. My family would host dinner parties and as soon as everyone was done eating I’d start performing some popular song at the time just because I wanted to share that part of myself. Read more>>

Rick Rusch | Editorial / Lifestyle / Humanitarian Photographer

For years, starting when I was a child, my creative I was taught the importance of getting a career, getting a college degree, and to just pursue my artistic/creative for my personal use. That inner desire to express myself was deep inside of me after I finished school. I joined the Marines and I was part of this organization for most of my twenties. Read more>>

Wesley Bowers | Multidisciplinary Artist

Well, I have always been creating since I was a child. I grew up drawing and singing. As I matured, I focused more on those talents and pursued them. I focused on music for a good portion of my adult life and in recent years have shifted my focus back to my visual art and jewellery. I have this innate call to create and I shouldn’t ignore it. Read more>>

ZorDonofDoom (ZorDon or Zor) | Singer, Songwriter, Artist, Content Creator, and Streamer.

I spent most of my childhood and young adult life catering to the wants and aspirations others had for me (particularly in the medical field), but I was never truly happy. If anything, it stressed me out to the point that I had massive anxiety and long periods of depression that I couldn’t understand. Read more>>

Josh McManus | Musician & Content Creator

I have a background in music and marketing, and had grown accustomed to the freelance/gig lifestyle before the pandemic hit. After the shutdown, I lost most of my clients and had to take on a full time Director of Marketing position at a startup that very quickly became a 200+ employee company. Read more>>

Patricia Newton | President of Art Center Morro Bay

I was born in the San Francisco Bay Area. Eventually residing among the tall pines and beautiful lakes of Northern California to the bustling southern parts of the state, until settling on the Central Coast. Read more>>

Lauren Ruettinger | Theme Park Photographer

From a young age, I knew that I wanted a life that would be different from the normal “grown-up” jobs. Being in a creative career allows me a lot of things I only thought were dreams. Things like, working from home, having flexibility, and traveling were always ideals for me. With photography, these ideals are able to accompany the fun of being creative with a camera! Read more>>

Carlita Field-Hernandez | Slam Poet & NYC Teaching Artist

As cliche as it sounds, I feel like I didn’t have a choice. Writing helps my brain and makes me feel better- it always has. It’s also what I’ve always been best at, so that definitely helped guide me. I tried doing other things or working towards other things, at one point I was trying to go into nursing, but it just made me depressed because it wasn’t what I wanted. For some reason I convinced myself that writing and poetry as a career was just not something that could happen to me. Read more>>

Halie DeRossett | Photographer

When I found my passion for photography, it was like I was in a different world and I was seeing everything differently. Before photography, I would look at a flower and see a flower. After finding my passion, I look at a flower and see all the pictures that I can take of it. From seeing all different angles that I can take of a flower, I realized how much more that I can do with photography and that really opened my eyes to being more creative. Read more>>

Christie Hackler | Metal Artist

Since my parents met in art class, it seems only fitting that I am an artist. I don’t believe one really chooses to be an artist, you just are an artist. It’s how our brains work. Read more>>

Jake O’Rourke | Guitarist, Desert Music Project

I (Jake O’Rourke) wanted to tap back into my creative side. I had a small set of original music put together, and after starting to work with Reuben and Daniel, was able to create even more original music and take the band to the next level. Read more>>