We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

SHIKEERA KEITH | MAKEUP ARTIST

Honestly, There was a demand for my skill before I was even offering them as a service. When I was eight and in love with oil pastels & doodling, I thought Art only lived on canvases. Around age ten hair styling peaked my interest. I would braid hair for hours a day. The designs were so intricate, I knew it was art. By age fourteen I started focusing on poetry and almost thought I wanted a degree in English Literature. Makeup & Nail Artistry is where I ended up investing myself but I don’t know if I pursued it or if it was simply in me and I’m just using my gifts. Read more>>

Rob Chiola | Wedding Videographer

I always knew I wanted to pursue a creative career. A career that I would enjoy and wouldn’t feel like “work”. I found this in Wedding Videography. I love being behind the camera. I love being responsible for capturing all the sights and sounds of one of the most important days in a couples life. I love the joy it brings the couple for years to come. Read more>>

Jacqueline Soir | Portrait & Still-life Photographer

It is very simple for me, I pursued an artistic/creative career because it was part of my true being. I did not start it to become famous nor rich, although that would be nice. I started it cause I had tried so many different jobs prior and my mind and spirit would always come back to the creative side, that is when I felt most alive, most myself, most whole. As a photographer/image maker, I am able to find a world of mediums within it to keep me creating and an actual science and technical world to keep me on my toes in learning new things. Read more>>

Diego Farelo | Photographer

The reasons why I chose an artistic career were many, mainly because I really like the arts in general, music, painting, cinema and of course photography. When I finished my studies at College I had to decide what to study and this would define the rest of my life, I knew that what I wanted was art, however there are many stigmas that make the artist feel as if art was not considered to be a professional , but this filled me with more strength to fight against everything and show myself what I was capable of doing, so I began my studies as a photographer and cinematographer. Read more>>

Chris Crass | Photographer and Filmmaker

I have deep thoughts about creativity and the creative process and it seems we are all conduits for creativity and art is just the medium of expression. I personally find I’m most competent in the visual arts and the reason why I pursue it is that simply I just can’t help myself and become anxious when I haven’t created something in a few days Read more>>

Jorge Diaz Soto | artistic creator

As a creative person, I always wanted to find a way to exploit my abilities, besides making arts and crafts for my friends and family. during the first months of 2020, me as many others felt depressed because of what was going on in the world, i had a full time job, that i really liked, but it was turning toxic and i didn’t feel like it was my calling anymore, then tiktok blew up and everyone was sharing their talents there, and i decided to buy my very own Cricut machine, and let me tell you, i could be making stuff for hours upon hours and feel happy about it, Read more>>

Karen Telge | Fashion Stylist & Entrepreneur / Creative Marketing & Creative Direction

Ever since I was a youngling I have been mostly driven by art filled experiences, I always had a big imagination. Some things I enjoyed were: going to the ballet with my grandmother, learning how to knit, designing my own room decorations, making earrings and bracelets with my sister and matching my clothes to match my hair pieces. Read more>>