Are artists born or made? To help answer this question, we asked some of the most artistic folks we know to tell us about how they knew they were going to pursue an artistic or creative path. We’ve shared highlights below.
Paula P. Ogden
Although I had my first gallery exhibitions of my trapunto art when I was just nineteen years old, I recall the desire to create really set in when an interior designer who had had a faux finishing business, gave me a tour of her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Almost every surface was faux. The concrete floor in the entry was painted to look like marble, a door to look like beautiful inlaid wood, a kitchen backsplash to look like hand-painted tiles, an aged leather trunk which was really vinyl, a vase painted to mimic an expensive one, and the walls with their beautiful aged plaster finishes, all faux! Read More>>
Caroline Aimetti
Like many artists, I felt very called to this path from a young age. I actually have the pretty funny ability to say that I’ve been acting since I was a baby- I was on the soap opera As The World Turns for a few seasons when I was around two years old, and did a few print ads. It was honestly something my parents saw as a fun story I would have when I got older- I don’t think they expected performing to come back into my life. But somewhere between seeing Beauty and the Beast on Broadway around age four and asking my parents to sign me up for the local summer theatre camp at seven, theatre and performing became everything to me. Read More>>
Angela Lian
Ever since I was a child, I followed every creative impulse to make and move. My free time was spent drawing and crafting or dancing and doing gymnastics in the living room. I didn’t know these two paths would cross until middle school, which was the dawn of social media for me. At the time I was a competitive gymnast and just beginning to understand digital creation. During the summer of 2012, I started an Instagram account under the handle @Instagymnastdancers to feature gymnasts and dancers around the world as well as to create photo edits for them. This was my introduction to graphic design. The account grew pretty extensively and I realized how much I enjoyed blending my two passions, moving and making. My creative intuition many years ago led me to a professional practice where these identities coexist and inform each other in my work, both personal and commercial. Read More>>
Savion Reed
I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path when I used to watch people on YouTube and Disney Channel. Seeing them doing what they loved and inspiring others made me think, “That’s what I want to do.” At the same time, I saw so many people around me who didn’t believe they could chase their dreams or make something big happen for themselves. Read More>>
Michael Clark
When I was a kid; I always thought I would be an actor or a musician.
As a matter of fact, I received several collegiate scholarships to pursue acting. Yet, never followed up or went down that path.
Your “a-typical” sports like football and baseball never appealed to me- so I was never good at them. BUT- I had a massive propensity for Martial Arts. This all correlates to what I am doing now. Read More>>
Russ Gordon
Music has always been the heartbeat of my life. As far back as I can remember, I have always dreamed of making music and being on a stage performing my songs for crowds of people. However, I never considered that it was something that I could realistically do until 2019. I was a college drop out really struggling to find a path in life that I found fulfilling. I found myself in a very dark place. I picked up my guitar that had been sitting for years and wrote a song, and it was like a factory reset for me. It awoke something in me that had always been there. Not only did I realize that making music was something that I could do; I knew it was what I had to do. Read More>>
Herbert Harper Jr
I grew up an only child in a household where music, movies, and TV shows were always being played. If my mom didn’t blast a greatest hits album by Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson’s “Design of a Decade: 1986-1996,” or music by any other famous artist who came up between the 1960s and 1990s (how she woke me up for school some days), then I would watch whatever movie was on TV or my favorite TV shows. Read More>>
Kayti Korte
Music has always been a big part of my life. I grew up singing everywhere–school events, coffee table performances, sporting events; for a lot of my childhood, my main musical outlet was singing the National Anthem for events all over Montana. It became part of my identity. I rodeoed and was more well-known for my vocal abilities than anything I ever accomplished in the arena. Music was increasingly at the forefront of who I was as I grew up, but my relationship with it began to change. Read More>>
Victory Red
From the time I was 4 or so years old I was determined to be 3 things: A professional ballerina, the next Steven Spielberg, and Spider-Man. Over time, my life took some twists and turns but those core dreams never really left me. I pursued ballet and dance through the collegiate level where I realized just how cruelly competitive it was and decided I didn’t want one of my greatest joys to become one of my greatest stressors. I also studied film through college but ultimately graduated with a degree in Psychology. And Spidey? Oh, I’ve found ways to help others in big and small ways. I’ve never lost my passion for nerdy things. (Just ask my the Spider-Man tattoo on my arm.) With burlesque, I’m able to incorporate all of those dreams into an art form that brings me so much joy and expression. I don’t think my 4 year old self would have pictured it all quite this way, but I like to think my inner child is proud of me. Read More>>
Imani
I knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally for as long as I can remember. I was born into an entertainment family so it’s all I ever known! My love for music grew over the years starting from watching The Wizard of Oz as a kid and learning all the lines and songs to discovering my own artistry and what music I want to share with the world. I have always been drawn to the arts and music. I have always been a storyteller and I love to write. Music is the thing that I have found that allows me to tell my story best. I’m going to be that artist on stage performing for people who feel most connected to my art and my story. Just how I feel when I am watching my favorite artists on stage. It’s all I have ever wanted and I am on my way there. Read More>>
Lu’kas Porter
After a heartbreaking divorce I realized I was at a crossroads. I could let the betrayal I felt rot me, or I could use it to thrive. And I decided to thrive. Then suddenly we all had to quarantine, and I used the chance for me to work on myself. I call it my “radical journey of self love”. I became my biggest fan. And what do you do when you’re someone’s biggest fan? You buy their merch. So, I splurged on a ton of items that have my face on it; clothes, jewelry, games, novelty items, my comforter, even a toaster that burns my face on toast! Read More>>
Meme Myers
I have wanted to pursue a professional path as a singer since as long as I can remember, and have always felt a deep connection with music and emotion. I remember crying during church as a child because I was so moved by the emotion of the lyrics and melody of the song. My family always supported my dream, but I was the only one holding myself back. I was a very shy child and had terrible stage fright; I couldn’t perform in front of anyone other than my family. I started writing songs when I was about 12 years old to help me express my emotions that I could not convey to others, and hoped that I would inspire others who felt just like me. Read More>>
Julia Aspinall
To be honest with you, I don’t think I had a sudden “eureka” moment where I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally. For me, it was more of a quiet, gradual realisation. I’ve always been at my happiest when creating art – it’s been a deeply personal part of who I am. For years, the idea of sharing my little characters publicly felt intimidating because my work was so personal, and I’ve always been naturally quite shy. Read More>>
Gary Steven
I’ve always believed that some moments in life reveal your purpose in an instant. For me, that moment happened at 15, but the story began long before. My dad was a DJ, and from an early age, I was his biggest fan. I’d sit in the living room, captivated as he blended tracks, watching how music could bring people together and set the tone for any space. I’d grab the mic and sing along, or plead with him to let me try scratching the records, feeling like I was part of something magical. Read More>>
Filter Phobiacs
I first fell in love with photography as a kid growing up in Mumbai. Life in the city was chaotic—street vendors calling out, kids playing cricket in the lanes, and the endless honking of rickshaws. But even in all that noise, I was drawn to the quieter, unnoticed moments that felt special in their own way. Read More>>
Sierra Weiss
As an April 2025 bride, I’ve discovered that my path to becoming a wedding content creator wasn’t something new—it’s been building my entire life. Growing up and still to this day, I was that friend with a camera, always catching the little in-between moments that no one else thought to notice. I edited silly YouTube videos in middle school (before it was even a thing), pouring hours into making something creative and fun, even if I got teased for it. By high school, I lived in every art class imaginable, finding joy in creating and curating things that told a story. Read More>>
Alex Ruffin
I’ve always had a knack for art since i was a child but I didn’t take it super serious until after my mother passed away in 2013. I spent all of my time filling sketch pads, painting canvases + clothes and by 2016 i was designing for Anderson .Paak. Once i saw people were willing to pay me for my work (that I thoroughly enjoyed making might i add) it was over. I quit my last job at Sprint in 2019 and haven’t looked back since. Read More>>
Linda Larsen
I was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in secondary school. I felt the pressure of not disappointing my yearbook title. At a young age, I thought success was defined as a doctor. I diligently completed my pre-meds in college, only to stare at the online registration for the Kaplan prep course to take the medical exam. At that moment I determined I was seeking the wrong dream. Read More>>
Daniel Stoner
I first knew I wanted to pursue music professionally when I was just 12 years old. Back then, I would sit down and write out lyrics from legends like 2Pac, Biggie, and Eminem, but I’d take out all the cuss words. I didn’t even realize it at the time, but that was my way of staying true to myself and the values I held. I still don’t cuss in my music to this day. Read More>>
Slavery The International Cotton Artist
When I was making small patches of gardens in front of my house as a child. I will come home after school everyday and play in dirt for hours. I was only in the first grade and for some reason farming vegetables really moved me. Then my father came home with a cotton plant from South Carolina to Florida and planted it in front of our house, he told my siblings and I to know our history and that gave my artistic play-garden more depth. Creating art out of nature and planting seeds that I’d buy from Home Depot was my first artistic experience, then I was introduced to the performing arts world when I was in the 7th grade playing the Lion in the Wiz, that’s when I knew I wanted to be a performer and now both of the artistic worlds are blending as I continue to do performance art with cotton and cotton jewelry. Read More>>
Toni Clare
I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where Bluegrass and Country music were a constant part of my world. I was homeschooled until high school, and during my time at home, my parents really encouraged me to dive into music—getting me into music lessons such as violin, piano, and guitar. Music was always in my home, whether it was records playing or my parents humming around the house. Every summer, they’d take me and my two sisters to CMA Fest in Nashville, which was always a highlight of the year! That was probably the turning point that made me realize I had a passion for the arts. Read More>>
Katrina Machado
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally, but it became undeniable when I realized how much joy and confidence it gave me. I remember working on one of my first major projects—something that, at the time, felt just out of reach. The sense of accomplishment I felt when I finished it was exhilarating. That satisfaction became a spark, a driving force that made me eager to see what else I could create and how far I could push myself. Read More>>
Patrick Adams
I’ve made art since I was very young. I never really thought about art as a profession–it was simply who I was and what I did. I suppose it was in college that I first had a conscious thought about art as a career. I didn’t consider having a back-up plan. Read More>>
Le’ana Asher
The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally traces back to my early years in grade school, where my passion for art and design began to flourish. As far back as I can remember, I was drawn to creativity, spending countless hours making arts and crafts and exploring various design concepts. Read More>>
Aubrey Tyson
As a public services Librarian, I’ve spent the majority of my working life NOT being artistically creative. My first job was at my local library when I was 16, and when I was in college, I chose to pursue Library Science. It was the most logical choice. I enjoy this work and know just how instrumental libraries are to their communities. What I’ve been drawn to the most is helping to connect people to valuable resources, bridging the gap between someone and a service or resource they need to thrive. Read More>>
Christine Hettinger
I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally when I was about 11 or 12 years old. It all started when my parents gave me a drawing book on how to draw manga. I instantly fell in love with the process of creating art—it became my escape and my passion. Fast forward to when I was 18, I decided to take a bold step and applied to work at a tattoo shop. Unfortunately, I was turned down, but I didn’t let that discourage me. Years later, I finally got an apprenticeship, and after dedicating myself to learning and growing as an artist, I made the leap. I quit my other job and became a full-time artist. Looking back, it was that spark in my childhood, combined with persistence and patience, that led me to where I am today. Read More>>
Malu Martins
The first time I realized I wanted to work as an actress was while watching the behind the scenes for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The whole movie was amazing to me, I was totally sucked in and I wanted more content from it, so I went on the Bonus Features of my DVD. Just watching the whole process of making the movie and seeing the actors having fun, and then getting into character for the more intense scenes, it felt so eye opening to me. Seeing all that creativity flow, made me want to join in and I knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Read More>>
Sarah Steele
I’ve always had a knack for the poetic. Which was disappointing to me because that didn’t feel very exciting or creative. (Do all creatives think someone else’s form of creativity is more interesting than theirs?) I wrote poems to commiserate with my fellow teachers about the difficulties of our teaching profession. I turned my poems into songs for my students to help them learn this new language of English. I poet-ed my way through the mundane tasks of early motherhood and offered poems to friends walking through great tragedies. I always wished I could draw them something meaningful, but alas, I was confined to my words. Read More>>
Fred Dixie
In 2019, just before the pandemic hit, I found myself at a pivotal moment in my life where everything seemed to click and push me toward my passion for music. It was that year that I made the decision to fully dive into the world of artistry, driven by the inspiration and connection I had with my best friend, Breon. Together, we formed the music group BL+K (Breon Lanier + Kenn.Wav), a creative outlet where we could express our unique sounds, ideas, and energy. Read More>>
Sandeep Khurana
I was always enchanted by the magical world of cinema and music. The colors, sounds, and stories transported me to new dimensions. I would watch films for hours, mesmerized by the characters and their journeys. Music was my constant companion, evoking emotions and sparking imagination. These early experiences ignited a passion within me, a flame that was burning brighter with each passing day. I knew from a young age that I wanted to craft stories and sounds that would captivate and inspire others. Cinema and music became my escape, my sanctuary, and my driving force. Read More>>
Claire Lee-Carter
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawing—on every scrap of paper I could find. But figuring out how to turn that passion into a career was a journey full of twists, doubts, and surprises. When it was time to choose a college path, I wasn’t sure what to do. I ended up studying graphic design at community college, thinking it was the “practical” option for a creative career. But deep down, I knew my real dream was animation—I just didn’t know how to get there. That all changed when my boyfriend at the time discovered CalArts, the place to go for animation. From that moment, I was laser-focused on getting in. It took three years of hard work and perseverance, but I made it. Read More>>
Rachel Decker
I had my very first “big” solo when I was in second grade for the school-wide musical. I sat on a hay bale and sang about something kid-appropriate (brushing my teeth, maybe?). That was the first time I remember getting a thrill from singing in public and I think I was at least mildly hooked from then on. I went on to be involved in all sort of musical adventures throughout high school and college. After I moved to Chicago, I ended up joining a rockabilly band called The Honeybees. We were fortunate enough to be able to travel all over to play music, and I think that’s the period of time that really stuck with me – this could be done! Maybe we didn’t make a ton of money, but it was fun and I got to see new places, experience new things and listen to really great musicians. I wanted to be a part of the music scene for the rest of my life after that. Read More>>
Emily Grace
I have always been a creative person but the first time I realized i wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally was when I saw the faces of people i gifted my creations to light up in excitement. I was making jewelry for myself and family for fun and began to gift some of my creations to friends for their birthdays/holidays. I always got complimented on the accessories i was wearing that i had made so eventually i just took a leap of faith and said ” Why not try to make a living doing this since i enjoy it so much?” Fast fore-ward, its been almost 5 years of making jewelry full time, and although it is a lot of work owning my own business, I wouldn’t change it. Read More>>
Too Hot For Leather
This brings to mind the story of writing our first song together as a band. We had been working together for about eight months in the club gig scene in Downtown Nashville (where bands exclusively play cover songs for tips) and without any specific or special event prodding us along, we simply decided to meet at our studio and give writing a song a try. In a moment of truly startling clarity and efficiency, our first original demo came to life in the span of three hours. This song, “My Dearest Darkest”, is our sixth song to be released commercially and will be accompanied by a music video as well. Needless to say, that day proved to us that we had something special and that we couldn’t miss the opportunity to see it through! Read More>>
Emma Korinek
Growing up I never really fit in and never had that cookie cutter school experience. I was always the goodie two shoes and grasped for approval from others throughout my childhood and young adult life. I was homeschooled in the Upper Peninsula until eighth grade, graduated high school with a class of twelve, got my associates in Science at a community college in Chicago and transferred to University Wisconsin – La Crosse to pursue my goal of becoming a therapist. I struggled as many of us do with anxiety and depression but was terrified of taking pills to feel more “normal”. Read More>>
Emm Berry
My dream has always been to publish a book. It’s weird because I don’t usually tell people I’m a writer. Maybe it’s my imposter syndrome holding me back from my true calling, but I also prefer the label “storyteller”. My grandfather is a storyteller. My family and I would visit my grandparents every summer at their house in New Hampshire. Before dinner, my grandpa would sit with my sister and me on their screen porch overlooking Mt. Chorcorua, and we’d request one of our favorite stories. I was always in awe of how he could recall all of his stories, start to finish, all from his memory. Read More>>