Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Christina Wells | Nurse, Singer, Motivational Entertainer & Recording Artist

It started back in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey. I saw how our community came together after so much tragedy and it inspired me to write the song Come Hell or High Water. And then I wanted to perform the song so I put together The Christina Wells Band. We played together for about a year and then I got the opportunity to audition for the celebrity judges on America’ s Got Talent. And that was a whirlwind that took over my life. After making it to the Semifinals on the show and returning home I had so many requests for me to perform. So on November 15th I went ahead and took the plunge and quit my job as a nurse and started pursing my singing and motivational speaking full time. Read more>>

Kavachi Ukegbu | International Food Ambassador

As a child I saw my mother and my father build their businesses from the ground up. My mother owns one of the oldest African restaurants in Houston and my father who was a business professional and entrepreneur helped her to develop the brand and grow her clientele. As I grew older I honed my love for art and design by getting my Associate in Marketing and Bachelors Degree in Merchandising and Hotel Management at Hilton College. Although I grew up helping my mom at her restaurant, I never saw myself as a chef until I went to school and fell in love with the art of cooking. Read more>>

Rocio Guerrero | Jewelry Designer

I pursued an artistic career because I see art as a way of expression. I try to do bracelets that will not only let kids and young women express themselves but also moms and women my age. I not only want my jewelry to make them feel beautiful but also make them feel like themselves. It also shows moms and women’s age that no matter how old you are, you can still find a way to convey how you feel. My jewelry varies from all colors and sizes in a way that will satisfy anyone who wants to wear them, supporting my idea of using these delicate but beautiful accessories as a way of expression. Read more>>

J Quay | Singer-Songwriter

I pursued an artistic and creative career because this talent and gift is always with me. I was gifted with it at birth and made it my mission to understand the different facets of it. I never will give up on it. Making it a career path is something that was evident I should do at a very young age. I knew I could be successful monetarily from singing early in life. I didn’t realize until I was much older that the most rewarding part of my career was changing lives when I create. Read more>>

Juan Valtierra | Recording Artist & Choreographer

I am pursuing an artistic career because I believe art is one of the most influential things in todays society. I have been heavily influenced by the music I listen to and the videos that I watch. I remember being a young man wanting to do and be what music was telling me. The artists I would follow would make their lifestyle and their choices sound so cool. I believe I can use art as a tool to deliver a message of hope for the listeners. I really just want to Glorify Jesus with every talent He gave me and Art has allowed me to expand and grow more than I could have ever imagined. Read more>>