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.

NaToya Danielle | Actor, Singer, Model, Creative

Well… Two things happened. The first is, I saw the movie “Purple Rain” I fell in love with the energy and sound of Prince and the enchantment of Apollonia. I didn’t understand all of what I was watching, but I felt like this was just magical perfection! The next thing to happen was Whitney Houston. From the moment I heard “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” I was on a mission. Lol. So if you ran across me as a child you would always hear me telling anyone who listen that I was going to be an Actor, Singer, Model, Dancer. I wanted to be a star honey! Read more>>

Marianne Henning | Watercolor Artist + Graphic Designer

For me it’s largely due to the the personal fulfillment the whole creative process brings me. It’s challenging- when you create art you embed a part of yourself in each piece, no matter how straightforward the commission seems to be. Then, the end result isn’t always something you’re proud of. But when something I paint speaks to another person and I am able to bring a little joy to their lives, my heart feels so full! I am a very curious person and choosing an artistic career allows me to learn more about painting techniques, plants, people, destinations, etc., indulging my curiosity. Read more>>

TypeShit Jazzi | Musical Artist

Since my adolescence I had a love for music. I knew how to sing and Ide write my own poetry. But I was a reserved child. Quiet and shy. So I didn’t really show my gift. It wasn’t until 2019 where I went through the hardest times of my life that it took me down a really dark path with my mental health and it was either going to make or break me. I hopped into a studio expressed my pain on a track and the feeling that gave me made me never want to look back. Read more>>

Wood Fancher Anthony | Artist and storyteller

Art is something I have always practiced. It is the only thing that has remained constant throughout my life. I began drawing at about the age 4 and I never stopped. I did not study art in college. I opted for a degree in accounting and and even worked in this capacity for almost 20 years. Art was what I did at night and on weekends. In 2019, I got tired of accounting and I decided to make art my full-time job. For the first time in my life I made art the priority. Read more>>

Gloria Torres | Event planner/ balloon artist

It all started for my kids. I have 3 little ones and I wanted their birthdays to always be special & that’s how my balloon / event planning business took off. I always had a vision for each Read more>>

Doug Sweet | Opticaljournalist

Honestly, it was a matter of retaining sanity. Photography allowed me to vent in a creative way. My therapy. Working through a Creative process allowed me to focus on something else other than whatever I may have been experiencing in life at the time. Having a camera in my hand outs my security blanket. Read more>>