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.

Christian Feneck | Artist

In short, I wanted something more. Sometimes you have to give up something good to get something better. For years I worked in the architectural industry. I liked working in a firm and I liked teaching. (I had taught architectural design for a number of years.) However, I loved the design aspects of the jobs most. Pulling that out and taking it into the art world afforded me the design freedom I was craving. I still see my painting and installation work as creating architectural spaces, though much more abstractly. The new freedom allows me to explore further into the concepts that interest me: color and perception. Read more>>

Val Perez | Creative Portrait Photographer

I have always loved the art world and the creative process it takes to create work. So growing up I was always back and forth between pursuing medicine or photography, but eventually I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be happy and excited about my future career. So in college I began to full invest into art and focused most of my course on photography. Which began my love and passion for photography. Read more>>

Yanelis Estevez | Ballet/Dance Teacher & Owner

For love! From a very young age I was involved with dance. I always enjoy and love dancing, being able to express myself through movement. Fortunately I was able to study it professionally, developing my love and my passion to the point of not being able to separate myself from it. With a lot of effort and perseverance I have been able to carry out the profession that I have always loved. After 28 years of career as a dancer and as a teacher I have been able to enjoy it, not just like the profession that gave me a degree , but as part of my life doing what I love the most! Read more>>

Eileen Corse | Professional Artist

I have always sort of known I’d be an artist. When I was a very young child, I was always drawing, coloring, and doing anything involving art. But my parents discouraged me, saying, “Artists do not make money, so find something else to do. ” Eventually, I went to college and became a court reporter. I tell you, that was a struggle, working on the oposite side of the brain. But I managed to do that for 14 years before opportunity presented itself, and I decided to concentrate on my art. So, I found my artistic voice much later in life than most artists — in middle age. And I am so very thankful that I did. I have proven my parents wrong. I have a comfortable income from my creations,. Since beginning my art career, I have only climbed up and up. I think the ceiling has no end. I never looked back. Read more>>

Sandra Justice | Actress & Executive Producer

I didn’t chose it it choose me, we all came into this world for a purpose and that’s we have the burning desire to do something great that feeling that won’t let us rest that tells us there has to be more . That something more to me is to reach people through the arts. You can do so much healing through a film, you can educate and give hope most importantly you can ignite somebody to be great!!! Read more>>