Wanting to be an artist or creative is step one. Following through means investing in learning your craft, but we’ve heard from so many aspiring artists and creatives who feel unsure about where to start and so we’re incredibly grateful to the artists and creatives who’ve agreed to share their stories of how they learned their craft.

I’ve been drawing ever since the day I was able to pick up a crayon, but it wasn’t until 2014 that I decided to officially begin My animation journey. I’ve always been fascinated by animated films and shows, not only with watching them but also developing an intense interest for the behind-the-scenes process to actually understand how these projects were brought to life. Read more>>

Spade Robinson

I learned how to do what I do by investing in my business education, around film. Being a creative, it’s easy to be seduced into not paying attention to it. When I was in film school, I was constantly told by professors to understand it, but I didn’t think I needed it, and never took their advice. Until, I needed to make my own film, and prepare my students and clients for the business side of their work- because creative choices should represent your business/career goals. Read more>>

Naomi Le

First, I want to establish that in my current practice, I used household commonplace materials like sponges and vacuum bags to create installation and performance. Without knowing my own life, I would think I am a self-taught artist who always stays home. But I had a very formal training, nothing out of the ordinary. I attended undergraduate and graduate schools both in art. My first love was sculpture – three-dimensional art was the reason I became an artist. Read more>>

Payge Lecakes

My personal creative process, whether relating to a specific project or my practice overall, is and will continue to be an ongoing journey. I have choreographed since I was a kid, beginning with small performances for my parents with the help of my sisters and friends and then more formally through smaller opportunities offered by my dance studio. Although I have always been passionate about movement generation, I only really started honing in on my craft and individual voice in high school when I was given the chance to choreograph for a showcase through the summer intensive that I was attending, Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts. Read more>>

Jillian Moody

As a kid, I believed that anyone could make a living creating art. I drew portraits of my classmates and sold them for a quarter. I drew houses in my neighborhood and sold them to the people who lived there. I wrote terrible poetry for homemade greeting cards and started my own greeting card business. It wasn’t until I was a single mother working my way through college that I realized that creating art is a privilege in our society, not a right, Having the time and resources to hone your craft enough to succeed professionally is too often a pipedream. Read more>>

Patch Thurlow

I’ve always been a bit of an on-off artist my whole life. I remember taking out printer paper and trying to draw Pokemon with big markers, and I always had at least one sketchbook, but never really committed to learning the craft in an authentic and meaningful way until I was already an adult. The biggest obstacle always felt like actually trying to complete a piece, which I never felt comfortable doing. Read more>>

Caitlin Manning

I am a self-taught photographer, and from a young age, I have always had a camera in my hands. Through experience, I have come to understand the vital role of hands-on practice and collaboration in mastering my craft. Actively engaging in projects and working alongside other professionals in the field has significantly contributed to my growth. Read more>>

Jay Boyd

I think I learned standup from just taking risks and putting myself out there. I always felt like I had an affinity for it. It’s one thing though to be funny around your friends, versus making complete strangers laugh. It’s one of those things where you just have to do it, see what works and what didn’t, and then find the courage to do it all over again. You learn by trial and error. How can you make your jokes better? Whether it’s timing, delivery, adding or taking away words, adding or taking away certain movements, there is always a way to make it better. Read more>>

Jace Greenwood

Started in Highschool and working in community Theatre. I was taking a lot of acting classes at the time, then eventually found Michelle Delong (acting teacher and Casting director in Oklahoma), who helped me transition from the stage to film and TV work. Told myself I wanted a bigger market so I went to Atlanta and that’s where I spent the majority of my time learning and taking every class offered basically. Read more>>

Fanni Fragner

I learned through a combination of formal education and hands-on experience. I completed a two-year Assistant Director course, which gave me a strong foundation, but the real learning happened on set. Working on international productions, especially American projects, exposed me to different workflows, industry standards, and high-pressure environments where I had to adapt quickly. Every set was a new learning experience, and I developed my skills by working alongside experienced professionals. Read more>>

Janessa Jandt

I have always loved story telling in many different ways. It’s my way of connecting with people. In 2021, I published a poetry book called Shipwreck, and that was my way of sharing my journey through my early twenties. I also love painting as a way to connect with others. Read more>>

Christian Frazier

I first learned how to act from attending Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire, before graduating in 2022. However, I learned how to act from a more honest and deeper level within myself by enrolling in the Lee Strasberg Insititute in New York City. It was there that I studied method acting and all of its mystical and powerful beauty. To be honest, I should have started at Strasberg much early on, as I had taken a two-year gap between graduating college in 2022 and then enrolling at Strasberg for the winter course of 2025. Read more>>

Alie Kiral

As a life-long lover of perfumes, I have always been intrigued by the creation of this product. I grew up with my mother, a fan of Elizabeth Taylor’s “White Diamonds,” and I would sneak sprays at an early age. As a young adult, I was a part of the retail side of the beauty industry, which further spurred my curiosity. Read more>>