Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?

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.

Brandon Goehner | Award Winning Audio Engineer & Producer

At an early age, I found myself in thralled with the science behind audio. Always taken apart and rebuilding amplifiers, building a homemade guitar amp for science fair and always hypnotized by various VU meters. It only made sense for my first job, to get the fast food circuit and go straight into production. Luckily, my father’s friends ran a live sound and lighting company. At age 15, I found myself doing all the grunt work, wrapping cables, building speakers and dusting off all the components. Learning so much about analog and digital equipment. It only made sense for my first job, to get the fast food circuit and go straight into production. Luckily, my father’s friends ran a live sound and lighting company. At age 15, I found myself doing all the grunt work, wrapping cables, building speakers and dusting off all the components. Learning so much about analog and digital equipment. Before I was 18, I was already running my own live sound setup; Working at various music venues, festivals, concerts and parties. Why would I ever had a regular job. Read more>>

Jara Nez | Tattooer

I remember when I was in Kindergarten, the teacher asked the usual “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It was a little arts and crafts project. On my project , I wrote that I wanted to be an artist or a power ranger when I became an adult . Needless to say, it all worked out. At a young age I was drawn to being able to create something from my mind. Whether that be a drawing, painting, etc. I enjoyed the freedom of it all. But also the discipline on what I needed to do to elevate the creations I was making. Becoming a tattooer has made me challenge myself to be better. Pushing those comfort boundaries I set myself into years ago. And seeing small-large improvements motivates me even more. It’s very rewarding in itself to be able to always improve yourself and your artistic abilities over time. Read more>>

Elizabeth Kennedy Bayer | Composer

I’ll be upfront, I do have a day job. But I did pursue two degrees in the arts, I run an arts organization, and I compose. I may not earn a majority of my income from the arts, but I am a composer and an organizer. When I started a little over a decade ago, composition gave me an emotional vocabulary. It severed me well for many, many years. Then I found I could connect with others over the creative process and eventually that led me to start Oh My Ears, where we as artists could connect to the community. I continue composing for the same reason – connection. Even if a piece does not tell a story, I was able to connect with a performer, and they then could make a new connection with an audience. Its really cool to think about the arts through that lense. Read more>>

Henry Cortez JR | Tattoo Artist/ Business Owner

Art has been part of my life since I was a kid. Both my parents are artistic and creative, from traditional artwork to building cars to interior decorating it was always around. I’m grateful that my parents expressed themselves creatively and let me have the freedom to do so myself. So as far as choosing a career path it became easy that I knew I wanted to make a living doing art. It just so happened that I chose tattooing, Which in my opinion is a great way to make a living as an artist. The only difference is that I am creating permanent art on a human canvas. Read more>>