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.

Vahini Franklin | Wedding planner | Event stylist | Event Florist

I pursued an artistic and creative career because creativity has always been a fundamental aspect of who I am. Growing up, my father, who had artistic inclinations, couldn’t pursue his passion for drawing due to his mother’s disapproval. However, he always encouraged me to explore my artistic side and embrace my creative abilities. Read more>>

Clariluz graham | Cosmetic Chemist, Entrepreneur & Author

It is easy to say that science is just a subject in school that you either fail or pass and very few have a passion for it. You are told that there are only but so many paths that you can take whether it be a doctor or a researcher. I beg to differ that if we showed people how beautiful science truly was and that it is an artistic form, many people would also choose to color the world with it. When you speak and dance the language of chemistry you realize it is art in its most natural form. Where you can take elements and package them and make them into household names. As a cosmetic chemist, i have the abity to materialize a brand from its theoretical conception, formulation to the serum or lotion you wear. I pursued a career in chemistry because i felt that i was an artist and a creative. I wanted to paint this world with knowledge and the beauty that chemistry is in all we do. I wanted to show young girls like myself that you too can be a businesswoman and wear a cap by creating products that are organic and safe to use. You are the artist behind every beautiful brand that colors many countertops. Both artistry and creativity have an intersection where you craft as your heart desires. I became a scientist because i knew there was an intersectionality between artistry and creativity. Read more>>

Kendall “King” Friday | Musician/songwriter/Producer

I don’t think there’s an existence for me, in this universe, where I’m able to exist comfortably without my creative pursuits. Music has always been essential to who I am at my core, and there’s always been a direct correlation with the amount of happiness and the amount of music In my life. That’s not to say every part of the journey has been pleasant. The pursuit of an artistic existence in a society that only seems to value the end results of artistry/creativity inevitability creates dark periods for artists. For some time, it did for me. I just think the “light” of creation and connection always proved too much for the darkness. Read more>>

Febisola Oladipo | Visual Artist

Choosing an artistic or creative career often stems from a deep passion for self-expression, I desire to impact others emotionally, and the fulfillment derived from bringing unique ideas to life. It is a pursuit of personal fulfillment, and also way to challenge conventional thinking, and a means of contributing to the cultural tapestry. Read more>>