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.

Gloria Cuotto | Model & Public Figure

For me, modeling, photos; they’re a way to express myself. I feel like I have never been really good at expressing what I feel with my words. But when I have a photoshoot I can have fun and be myself, and even be vulnerable without fearing anything. Read more>>

Nicole Durham | TheCaulkArtist

It’s not that one pursues an artistic or creative career as much as it pursues you, right! LOL. Honestly, art and creating have been within me all my life, since I was in grade school but life has a funny way of changing things up on us and challenging us. I pursued a career, then a family, and all those things took precedence over what was pursuing me. I think many women can resonate with that moment where our careers and our families take over and we have a habit of putting things on the back burner for ourselves. I truly neglected my passion for years while I excelled as a professional and attempted to as a mother but it was always there. Read more>>

Geisha | Houston Artist/Art Teacher

I chose to go down this path of being a creative because of the responsibility to myself and others. For myself, being a creative causes a freeing feeling with it if utilized correctly. When creating you release whatever it is you may be holding on to. It causes you to work through those emotions whatever they may be. It helps you to understand yourself on a different intimate level. These past two years since COVID started I have taken being a creative more seriously and became a commission artist! Creating for others has been rewarding in its own way. My clients tell me what they want and their reactions light me up inside every time. The rush of excitement they get from seeing their creation come to life is one of the greatest joys I could ever witness. Read more>>

Shelby Lyons | Photographer

Some of my favorite things in life are all centered around creativity and art. Things like movies, books, cinematography, film photography, and more. I grew up consuming art in every aspect of my life. It affected how I approached life. It gave me new perspective at times, which is art in its truest form. Above all, it made me want to create beautiful stories like what I was seeing everyday. I remember being so young, but always absorbing the messages left behind in books and movies. I remember looking at photography and being amazed that someone could tell a story through a single photo. An image that captivates you so much that you feel a whole story lies behind this one picture. I felt called to create art like that. I think it is only natural that I would feel most at peace and most myself when I am creating something that allows me to tell a story. Read more>>