Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Alex Underwood | Videographer & Freelance Photographer

I chose an artistic and creative career because it allows me to express myself freely and connect with people on a deeper level. Creativity fuels my passion and gives me the freedom to explore new ideas, challenge conventions, and inspire others through my work. It’s a fulfilling path that constantly stimulates my imagination and pushes me to grow both personally and professionally. I also allowed me to be my own boss and create my own business, “UrbanPaparazzi Motion Films”. Read more>>

Zach Mendoza | Artist, Writer and Educator

I’m not sure that I had much choice in the matter. Whether or not I pursued art as a career, I knew from a young age that art would always be a large part of my life. This was inexorable. As a child, I could sit for hours practicing and experimenting with different tools. I’d draw huge chalk drawings in the driveway and fill countless sketchbooks and I was always regarded as the kid who could draw in all of my classes throughout my youth. I loved drawing and painting and making stuff. Read more>>

Kylan Maree | Content Creator & Creative Assistant

“I fell in love with YouTube and social media during the pandemic. It was the start of my social media career, and we were all in lockdown. To keep myself busy, I would dress up in cute outfits, take pictures on my parents’ back porch, and post them on Instagram. I had seen my favorite YouTubers do this all the time, and it was something that helped pass the time. Now, it’s been four years, and I do content creating full-time for myself and other brands. I love what I do and feel grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.” Read more>>

Mami Zaddy | Artist & Producer

I have always loved music since I was a little kid. My older brother used to have me sing along to our mom’s favorite songs and he would be behind the camera capturing it all. I was in band in school and later in college I joined a rock band from Waukegan,IL – Rosa’s Cantina. Years went by, Rosa’s Cantina was no longer together and I felt as though something was missing in my life. When I finally launched myself into a music career I felt complete. Once I had that feeling I knew I had to continue on this path and so that’s why I’ve pursued an artistic career. Read more>>

Shayla Bowen | Tattoo Artist

Personally I’ve always dreaded the idea of working an office job. There’s something I read sometime from my therapist that said that people with overactive imaginations sometimes have issues without ruminating on mentally ill ideas when they’re not creating, because the creativity has to come out somewhere. That’s definitely been true for me. I’m an artist because my soul and brain chose that for me, even if it makes things harder for me. I’ll never have as much money as some of my friends but I feel fulfilled as an artist. If I’m not creating as a career I’m miserable. If I do something creative for a job, I’m happier. It was as simple as that I suppose. Read more>>

Roxanna Zanna” Rosenbaum | Holistic Mobile Dog Groomer & Dog Nerd “

Dog grooming has always felt like the perfect outlet for my creativity, as it blends my passion for pets yet still requires an artistic eye for detail and composition. I feel I provide something meaningful everyday while still being able to use my hands to help every dog look and feel their best. I took my desire to care for my dog and blended it with my artistic aspects and ended up a dog groomer. Read more>>

Justin Allison | Musician

It sounds cliché but I didn’t really have a choice. Music is what I think about from the moment I wake up to when I lie in bed to sleep. It’s something I feel the need to do and I enjoy creating things out of nothing more than I can say. It allows me to express things that I, specifically, find interesting and beautiful. It allows me to create and network with others that share the same musical outlooks as me. And, it helps me to connect with others more so than anything else does. Read more>>