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.

Heather Bamberg | Metalsmith

I have always been a maker. Creating something of beauty gives me a great sense of accomplishment! I have dabbled in many art mediums; I especially loved large format photography and ceramics, but I absolutely fell in love with working with metal. I love the permanence of it! It’s amazing to make an heirloom that may be passed down, or perhaps even get dug up by some future archeologist. I feel very lucky that my passion is also my career. Read more>>

Geneviéve Mar | Glorified Doodler

Making visual art feels very second nature to me. When I was a young kid, I’d always draw all over my classwork before handing it in– there were also a few instances where I got in a lot of trouble for trying to cut out patterns in my parents’ window treatments and bed skirts. I’d leave chalkboard sketches around my high school in peoples’ classrooms, and when I started working my first job I’d absentmindedly doodle in my notebooks when I probably should have been doing homework. I feel like no matter what I’m doing, a little bit of my mental RAM is usually just observing things and trying to figure out how to stylize them, so it felt natural to try to honor that. Read more>>

Ryan Osmun | Photographer

I’ve pursued a photography career, going on 10 years now, mostly because of my love for the outdoors and capturing the moments you can have out there that you may never get again. That one sunset that just blows your mind because even though it happens everyday..there’s just some on another level of amazement! I love to capture families and portraits of beautiful people, only to see their faces light up so much when they get to see the final images. Read more>>

K.S. Barton | Indie Author

Ever since I can remember, I have had stories and characters constantly playing in my mind, but it took me many decades before I took the leap to turn that into a career. Writing stories is how I process the world, and writing down these stories and characters is how I learn what is important to me. The more I write, the more I unearth the unconscious themes and archetypes that drive me, and it can be very cathartic. I’m an indie author because I like the freedom of managing my own schedule, and it is important for me to have control over my intellectual property. But, really, the main reason I write? There is nothing as marvelous as a new character popping up out of nowhere and walking into a scene, or a new storyline emerging like a shoot from the earth. It is magic!. Read more>>

Daniela Alarcon | Professional Photographer

Since I was a little kid I always felt like I had to be a good role model for the rest of the kids in my family. I am the first daughter, cousin, grandchild even great-grandchild; all this adds up to certain expectations in life. With that in mind, my family wanted me to become a lawyer, doctor, or something down that road. It all started when I was twelve years old when I held a plastic film camera for the first time. It was gifted to me as a toy, but for me it was just the beginning of my creative carrier. I started to photograph everything, trying to express myself and explore a different side of life. From then on, I always had a camera with me and enjoyed capturing all the amazing moments in my life. High school graduation came along and my dream of pursuing a carrier in photography was shattered. I am from Ecuador, where a Photography Major didn’t exist as a choice in college. I chose the most creative carrier I could find, Advertising with a Minor in Graphic Design. Read more>>