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.

Marcial Perea | Photographer/Cinematographer

Im the type of person where I just let things happen naturally. I never really pursue things, they just come to me. Growing up I was felt like I wasn’t the creative one in the family, but after sometime I grew a passion for dance and that ultimately let me to find myself with a camera in my hands. Originally I wanted to pursue a career in criminal justice, however at the time my dancing started to take off, so I decided to see where that took me and focused more of my energy in dance. Read more>>

Natalie Salinas | Beauty Content Creator / Makeup Artist

I pursued an artistic/creative career because I LOVE IT! Lol I’ve always been interested in anything artistic and creative since I was a child. From drawing and painting to fashion design, DIY, arts and crafts, makeup, video editing, etc. I wasn’t really great at school or interested in the traditional careers. I wanted to do something I loved and that I was great at, so I decided to pursue my creative passion in hopes of succeeding and one day making a full-time income from this! Read more>>

Sané Raina | Designer

I received my Bachelor of Science in Merchandising from Western Michigan University in 2010. I was always more of a creative as a child but at that time I think society portrayed the ultimate American dream as going to school and eventually working for an already established company for the remainder of your life. I found myself living out that perspective after graduation by working in corporate purchasing as a Buyer. At that time, I remember watching TJ Maxx commercials where they glamorized the role of a Buyer lol. Read more>>

Erica Copeland | Stylist & Fashion Design

My family has always been a medical field type of family, yet we all have a very artist side. The Medical part was pushed a little more for the career setting though. I excelled in science classes, even went through Medical Academy before the start of Covid-19, thinking I wanted to be a surgeon. I was obviously wrong. Covid allowed me to think about myself and realize what I actually enjoy is art. I had a strong connection to photography, fashion, etc. Read more>>