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.

Antara Hogan | Model & Poet

I think what first led me to pursuing a creative lifestyle was my mother and her best friend. They were both single mothers who had a burning passion for making jewelry and had always dreamed of making it their full time business. Seeing such a burning passion for a career from such a young age allowed me to dream big! It expanded my thinking on what a job was, and pushed me to fight for a something that gets me excited when I wake up! Read more>>

Victoria Contreras | Lady Barber, Braids specialist, & Model

Choosing an artistic career is driven by pure passion. I chose cutting hair because it gave me the opportunity to become more than my circumstances and I was dedicated to not making excuses anymore. Many of my emotional outlets were through creative arts (painting, photography, music, playing instruments, reading, writing,etc.) and braiding my sisters’ hair. By 18 I was an established cosmetologist but despite being a professional makeup artist, nail tech, and hair stylist, I never felt a sense of purpose. Read more>>

Denice Smith | Model/ Actress/TvProducer

One of the reason I pursued an artistic and creative career is because I understand my personality.. I know who I am and who I am purposed to be. One of my greatest attributes is my personality. I would always be the one creating good energy in the room and suddenly, we end with laughs! People started asking me questions pertaining to the entertainment business like have I tried modeling or going on audition. Those were little settled confirmations for me.. Read more>>

BellaADonna | Artist, Singer/songwriter

I pursued art in many different ways from writing to painting to creative furniture and clothing but music is my greatest artistic endeavor because it is the only art form I am talented in that allows me to fully express my heart my mind and my soul it allows me to unlock and release, it almost cathortic in that way because it is therapeutic. Finding my voice meant finding me and my purpose of being. Read more>>

Priscilla Mora | Baker

Since I was a child I would always be intrigued by artistic or creative things. My mother says she used to find me watching cooking and baking shows in the middle of the night. It wasn’t until 2018 that I really started playing around in the kitchen, and it initially started off as just cooking. COVID had come around at the beginning of 2020 and I lost my job. After so many people suggested that I get into selling plates, I finally decided to give it a go. I would be selling desserts along with my plates and eventually clients would be ordering full cakes. December came around and it was my nephews birthday, Read more>>

Dalia Kooiman | Photographer

I’m a visual person with a lot of imagination. For instance, when I see a park, I see a white canvas. I like to seat on a bench, observe and start painting in my mind. I start imagining how would the trees look, how would they look with different shapes and colors. My head is always transforming everything I see. Read more>>

John C Yarrington | Retired Professor in music – Houston Baptist University – Director Chancel Choir, First Presbyterian, Houston, adjunct faculty Univ of S. Thomas

Music has always been in the forefront of my life from early on. I played the piano, sang in church choir – received degrees in Music Education, Sacred Music and a DMA in choral conducting. I have spent 50 years in the service of the church-written articles – published anthems and books. Given workshops across this country and abroad. I have taught choral music at Houston Baptist University – now retired presently teaching at the University of St. Thomas- still teaching private voice Read more>>