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.

Mason van Kraayenburg | Guitarist & Composer

For me, once that creative spark activated within and I found music to be the language of my soul, there was no turning back. It gave me purpose and direction which is something I had been desperately looking for my whole life. The closest I got before music was skateboarding but with that I never felt a sense of providing for others or like I was making the world a better place. With music and the guitar I feel a much more interactive and rewarding fulfillment within me. It’s my guiding light and my little contribution to society so I’m giving myself to it completely. Read more>>

Codie Green | Model & Entrepreneur

When I really think about this question, I have to say that I have always felt that the people around me have tried to put me in a box! A box to where it was just black and white, this is the way it should be, this is how it’s done. From childhood and up until I was an adult. I don’t think they meant this with bad intentions! I just believe that they thought they know what was best for me, how I should live my life, and what my success would look like! Read more>>

Al Heilman | Healing Artist

Art has always been an interest from the time I started taking pictures and built my own darkroom as a teenager. But deciding to pursue my art full time was a decision that happened later in my life. I worked for many years as a spine surgeon. Then a spine issue forced me to redefine my life and work. I spent several years taking classes at the Glassell school of Art at night while still trying to work. The years of standing bent over an or table caught up with my genes. After pursuing a fellowship in integrative medicine I decided to focus on my dream and have never looked back. I create art every day. I use of color and nature as my guides. It has provided me an evocative and healing ethos. I count myself lucky every day to be able to experience this passion. Read more>>