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.

Lindsay Ansley | Jewelry Designer

It traces back to the first time I experienced flow state. I can still picture myself in my childhood bedroom, sorting my bead collection and playing with color combinations. Completely immersed, completely present. I was a very anxious and cerebral kid, and discovering something tactile and meditative was grounding in a way I’d never experienced before. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. Read more>>

Mireille Nashimoto and Phil Free | Holistic Health musicians

Both of us have been ones to think outside the box. Neither of us could be contained by anything conventional. Both extremely imaginative and creative by nature, it only makes sense that our projects have been an extension of the way we see the world. This world is magnificent and complex and we both imagine what is possible and have dedicated our time and energy towards what we see is possible, even if those around us doubt or want to say otherwise. Read More>>

Danee Wilson | Writer

I’ve wavered between scientific and creative endeavors my whole life. Although at school I excelled in science and math, and I was encouraged to pursue those fields for my career, there was a rigidity that simply didn’t align with my passions and ultimate goals for the future. After three years working as an archaeologist and thinking that the next logical step was to do my PhD in archaeology, I took some time to seriously consider my options. Read more>>

Liqiong Huo | Artist & Painter

I decided to pursue an artistic career because I am passionate about expressing meaningful ideas, creating new experiences, and exploring the unknown in creative ways. I am completely fascinated by the transformative character of the creative process that links the physical, mental, and spiritual levels of existence. For me, art is a meditative space where I am able to connect more deeply with my true self, a playground where I can return to my childlike being and play with joy, and an exciting adventure that leads to discovering new perspectives and awareness. Read more>>

Benjamin Bleich | Rapper

Ever since I was young I’ve always been creative. My parents are both creatives, my mom is an artist and my father is a musician, creativity runs in my blood. I use music as an outlet to cope with my depression and anxiety, I found being creative helps to distract from my pain and trauma.. Read more>>

Judy Puiia | Artist

I was fortunate to grow up in a small town in Maine. As a child, I would spend countless hours drawing and painting enthusiastically sharing my work with my parents. Mom was a homemaker and my dad an engineer. They both are amazing people, but my dad had this uncanny ability to make, fix, solve, or create anything. He also was an artist and I looked up to him as an inspirational figure. I feel fortunate to have inherited his abilities and drive to create. It was what I had to do. Read more>>

Stille Skygger | Visual Artist & Director

I've wanted nothing but to be an artist since I was a child. Even as an 8-year-old child… Art has always been like an orbit for me, and I was being drawn towards it. I started taking private painting lessons at a very young age, and I think it was like opening the doors of a world that I didn’t know what’s coming for me. My adventure that started with pencils continued for many years with pastels, acrylics and oil paints. Read more>>

Karen Izzi | Phd & Mixed Media Artist

Spending time in a “zone” is the best time to contemplate, create, and grow. Each individual has many things to express and through art and writing. I feel best. In creating with a pen, paint, or fabric I a, free. The mission of Conscious Creations Art Studio is to share techniques but also to build a creative community where others can thrive. I love people, of all ages, and enjoy encouraging them to develop their creative selves. Read more>>

Lily Hall | Author

I’ve always been drawn to the arts and being creative, even as a child. I was always running around, creating fun games for me and my friends to play or building an incredible treehouse castle in the “Ditch” (aka the vacant lot in between my best friends and I’s house). Read more>>

Gretel Vazquez | Nail Technician

I own my own business as a nail technician. I am mostly known for my nail designs and character art. I decided to pursue nail design as a full-time career because I have always needed to have a creative outlet as a way to ground myself and also as a way to make an impact. I have been creative since I was a child. Growing up I experimented with the arts ranging from singing, playing multiple instruments to painting. I high school I started exploring beauty more specifically makeup. Read more>>

LeeAnn Dodde | Studio Potter

Making has always made sense to me. Growing up I played “office” with my sister and friends, I always took the cash register, whether it’s making change or ceramics, working with my hands has always felt right. I was never a fast reader, or much of a writer, so when I got to college the thought of building and sculpting projects to get grades felt less overwhelming than reading textbooks and writing papers. Chasing a creative career was my path to surviving college. Read more>>