Often there is no book or course to learn how to do what you want to do – so how artists and creatives overcome such challenges? How have some of the most talented artists and creatives in the community managed to learn their craft?

Sarah Maria

I began my creative endeavors as a freelance model with no goal for fame, followers, or money, but instead to heal from things I have been through by creating beautiful, emotional art and seeing for myself the magic of light manipulation, styling, makeup, and angles to achieve very different results. Read more>>

Cori Collins

It is now a part of me to entertain to put on. A show. I didn’t go to college I chased a careeer in entertainment and really grinded to not really progress me professionally. Read more>>

Czn Baby

I was always told I had nice vocals growing up, I would always try to sing along with my sisters around the house. For the songwriting part, that took me while, I had to do a lot of listening and learning from a lot of artists, especially the ones I had the opportunity of being around while they created. Read more>>

NOU

I’m still learning the craft of singing & songwriting — how to be more efficient, more intuitive and less reliant on what’s already out there even though I’ve learned a great deal from the skills & craft of others. Read more>>

Sarah Connally

My love of food started when I was 13. My parents would let me cook dinner once a week and I would go onto Kraft.com and pick a recipe and make family dinner! I honestly had the best time doing that! Read more>>

Connor Olson

I’ve always been artistic and have wanted to go into that area for a career but i was never sure how. All I knew was how to draw so I just kept at it. I loved observational drawing, people watching and then drawing them from afar. Read more>>

Kia Shavon

My journey into audio engineering began on a whim. In my sophomore year, I switched to Music Engineering Technology with no prior experience. Read more>>

Aiden A.J.” Brown”

A friend of mine recently approached me after a reading to say he felt like he could tell that I went to school for writing, and I was so flattered that I didn’t have the heart to correct him. Read more>>

Eleanor Hammond

Whenever I sit down to write a song, I must become an open channel. If I sit down instead saying in my brain “Let’s write a hit,” I will write shit. Read more>>

Sergio Serrano Castillo

A writer/director needs to dive into every topic in life to bring that knowledge and experience to stories. That’s why I try to watch as many films, TV, and documentaries as I can. Read more>>

Andre Newell

We created the Toronto Monologue Slam in 2011 to give local actors a consistent space to develop skills and showcase their talent. Read more>>

Logan Woods

Music was something that always came natural to me. However, I learned along the way that there is a difference between doing it as a hobby and doing it professionally. Read more>>

James Heredi

I graduated from Ringling College in 2014, during an exciting time when motion design was just starting to define itself. This was precisely what drew me to the major—that, and the chance to blend my diverse interests into a single discipline. I was 100% in. Read more>>

Keith McQueen

I completely credit my background in Technical Theater. You have to work with a group of people to complete every project and collaborate with people that have a variety (or a limited set) of skills. Read more>>

Haley Lemus

People often say to me, I could never do what you do, and honestly I wasn’t just born naturally skilled at nail art, but when you have a passion for something and you practice for years and never stop, one day you wake up and you’re just like I am good at this. Read more>>

Jamie Treacy

In learning the craft of painting, understanding color is the hook that never lets me go. I love that the act of mixing and applying paint offers so many possibilities, and a lifetime of fascination is laid out before me. Read more>>

David Jackson

I’ll start by saying I am a pawn and still learning each and every day! But I started learning how to make beats and make complete full songs when I was young. Song structure is everything and it’s what captures attention. Read more>>

Chet Pajardo II

As a student, I’ve been blessed by God with the curiosity and willingness to learn about various areas of knowledge. Currently, I use those God-given talents, along with others, as a video editor. Read more>>

Jordan Duvall

I went to school for Design and Photography and have spent the last 30 years honing my craft by working with agencies, studios, networks, and entrepreneurs. Read more>>

Meg Howton

Over the past decade, I have been studying and creating ceramic sculpture. Influential mentors and experiences have shaped my artistic journey. At the University of Alabama, where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts, I learned from instructors with contrasting approaches—one emphasizing meticulous detail, the other encouraging rule-breaking. Read more>>

Alec Fehl

I learned my craft primarily through trial and error. Lots and lots of error. I began way before YouTube was a thing, so there’s weren’t any viable Internet tutorials. Read more>>

Helena Hafsteinsdóttir

I studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. After my graduation i 2019 I got into scriptwriting and producing as well as acting. Read more>>

Zane Nguyen

Embarking on the journey of mastering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is akin to setting sail on an endless ocean, where the horizon of knowledge and skill stretches infinitely. Read more>>

Josh Fapp

I’ve had quite the adventure in the world of filmmaking, working alongside the social media influencer Zach King and wearing many hats as a director, producer, and writer. Read more>>

Justin Wilder

2 years ago I decided I wanted to win a Grammy. And then I came up with this 7-year goal to do it because my wife and I had moved to Denver 7 years earlier and 7 just felt like a complete number. Read more>>

Chelsea Banning

Social Media was the best learning tool for me. I took classes in college, and they did teach me how to write, but following other authors and writers was key. Read more>>

Matthew Borchert

Before I even purchased a camera, I joined several online photography and editing groups. Through them and using others photos, I honed skills related to the editing side of photography. Read more>>

Jordan McDonnell

Before photographing anyone professionally, I used it solely as a fun, creative outlet. Without any immediate pressure of making money, I was able to let myself explore different styles, practice photographing my friends, learn more about my camera, and better my craft. Read more>>

Antonio Zapiain Luna

I took to filmmaking at an early age. As a child, I was mesmerized by the movies I saw and loved to perform on stage. I think it was inevitable I would end up pursuing something in motion pictures. Read more>>

Heather J. Bennett

I’m not sure, if you’re hoping to be any good, that you ever finish learning your craft. There’s always something new, something that suddenly clicks, a different point of view to see. Read more>>

Tanisha Chambers

Well, for years I wanted to be a children’s author and I would spend lots of time first reading children’s books to see the different styles of writing, to learning why certain books were selected for a particular age group. Read more>>

Brie E Henderson

I love questions like this. Like most of my friends, I have been drawing all my life. I’m from New York City and ever since I was a wee one, I have been exposed to the arts of all kinds. Read more>>

Eva Kirnbauer

If you ask an illustrator when they started drawing, they will usually answer with “as long as I can remember”. While that is technically also true for me and I loved scribbling on everything I could as a child, Read more>>

Megan Lapp

I learned how to crochet using various videos on YouTube. I got started on simple projects like scarves and small blankets, and I tried to learn one new skill at a time, because the sheer range of crochet stitches and techniques felt overwhelming to me. Read more>>

Lali A. Love

Learning the craft of writing from my perspective feels like embarking on an endless journey of self-discovery and artistic growth. Read more>>

Jaleel James

Growing up in the church, hearing talented musicians and singers that were never formally trained, then learning how to use FL studio in 2009 at 15. Read more>>

Tenesha Cross

My name is Tenesha Cross and I am the owner and artist behind “It’s Irie Creations”. As a Jamaican-American, I have always had a deep appreciation for the vibrant colors and culture of my Jamaican heritage. Read more>>

Alex Relloso

My name is Alex Relloso, I’m a storyboard and character design artist working in Animation. I have worked for studios such as Netflix, Dreamworks, Skydance, Ilion and The SPA Studios. Read more>>

Arnold Casavant

Following four years in the military (67 thru 71) I was honorably discharged. I enrolled in Rhode Island Junior College and at the age of 24 took my first drawing course. Read more>>