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.

Rafael Ramos | Textile Artist

Starting my career as an artist was a mixture of factors, but it became more relevant with the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many, I found myself counting my priorities and seeking new ways to channel my creativity during the lockdowns. The pandemic became a period of personal introspection and reinterpretation for me, prompting a deep dive into my artistic practice. It was during this time that I fully embraced my passion for textile art and recognized the potential to turn it into something more than just a hobby. Read more>>

Michael Gaspari

From the start, I always had a passion of creating things of all types. I was always intrigued with how different things in life worked behind the scenes, and music was one of these things. I was told by my parents that at merely one years old, I was fascinated with sound (music or not). My dad would constantly use his 5.1 surround system to pan the music around me, and I would follow where the sound was coming from. Read more>> 

Nahshon Hollis | Fine Artist

When I was a 3 or 4 years old, I said I wanted to be a famous artist. I was always drawing and painting on paper as a kid. My preschool teacher kept a big collection of drawings I did for her all the time. Every morning as a toddler, I’d sit in front of the TV as a kid and watch Pappyland, and draw along with Pappy Drewitt as he drew cartoons. When I was 7, I was a big Bob Ross fan and I took oil painting seriously because of watching him paint on TV, and I was doing lots of paintings in his style. Read more>> 

Sonya Griffitts | Vivid Hairstylist

Honestly, I just knew I didn’t want to go to college! I had no idea what I wanted to do, and at a hair appointment one day my hairstylist and good friend Ashley Cardillo (@behindthesteelshear) told me that I would be great at hair! I went to an open house at Paul Mitchell in Miami and fell in love. It was rocky considering I started in 2020, so it wasn’t an absolutely amazing experience, but I made the most of it and got my license. The longer I practiced behind the chair, the more I fell in love with everything hair! Read more>> 

Daniel Rendon | Dannypropixel Photography

I always had a great passion for photography, and now that I was able to study and specialize my tastes, I was able to turn my passion into a profession. Read more>>