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?

Abby Albaum

When I first started hoop dancing back in 2007, there were hardly any resources available to learn. So, I found myself on You Tube, which was pretty new at the time, and hoop dance tutorials didn’t yet exist like they do today. I watched videos from hoopers all over the world, in an effort to dissect every move; then I’d running outside to practice. I witnessed these beautiful dancers go into a flow-like state as they performed amazing tricks, and the hoops appeared to be floating effortlessly. Read more>>

Doneilea Williams

Learn from professionals mostly self taught by trials and errors. I would definitely liked to have been more experienced with setting boundaries on a professional level. Professionalism, editing, managing many projects in one setting and lack of resources were great distractions along the way Read more>>

Amy Jean Showalter

I’m a self taught photographer, but I’m a creative through and through. I’ve been a tattoo artist for 15+ years. I am a renovator and love to build things. I like to consider my self a maker. All these different skills started as simple interests and hobbies then blossomed into jobs. When doing anything creative it’s so important to really love that craft. I never think of it in terms of how can I turn it into a business. All that comes later because when you are doing something you really enjoy, eventually you end up cultivating a skill , developing your own style and then become sellable. Read more>>

Brittany Corn

How did I learn to do what I do? I spent over 8 years on a roller coaster of knowledge building, pulling my hair out & a ton of patience. Lol, but really it’s not a one stop shop like social media makes it out to be. What could I have done to speed up the learning process? Let go of my ego and realize that everyone starts somewhere. In order to be “good” at what you want to do you must be willing to continuously learn your craft, practice, be mindful and be okay with failure and A LOT of no’s. Read more>>

Lee Bryan

I had an amazing group of mentors and teachers along the way. For me, the path to learning puppetry was formed by mentors and teachers who helped to shape and mold my work. Initially, I did a performance internship at the CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS in Atlanta working along creatives who were doing exactly what I had hoped to learn. As far as how to speed up the process, I’m not sure. The learning process takes as long as it takes and I believe the key initially was to become educated in everything to do with puppetry and say yes to every opportunity. Read more>>

Amechi Onuorah

Becoming a photographer has been a self-taught journey, and I believe my growth in this field is attributed to three key factors. Trial and error are one of my best forms of learning. The mistakes I have made along the way have been a fundamental part of my growth. I developed the skill of perseverance, in which I was willing to fail and try again as often as necessary. Being a risk taker has helped me develop my style. Read more>>

Craig Williams

I think the best saying to sum up my mentality when I first got into voiceover is “you don’t know what you don’t know”. I kind of had this cavalier mentality that it can’t be that hard and that I could figure things out myself. I can’t stress how wrong I was. Only after meeting some exceptional people in the industry did I really start to understand what was necessary. This led me to signing up with a renowned Voice Over coach in LA (Nancy Wolfson) and training with her for two years via Skype. Read more>>

Victoria Figueroa

Going back 5 years into high school, Coral Reef Senior High School’s Theatre Magnet program has provided me with the tools to build up my design and sewing techniques. Entering Thespian Competitions and presenting my designs in front of a panel of judges enhanced my ability to improve my techniques each year as well as observe and interact with others in the field. Read more>>

Marquis Walker

I always had a desire to be behind the camera. Even from a young age. I went to high school and took up tv productions. That was my doorway into how deep the world of photography/Cinematography goes.So i do what anyone else do, and went to YouTube university to learn about all the ins and outs. I wouldn’t do anything to speed up the process. Through those trial and errors is what helped me figure out my own style and eye for what I’m capturing. Read more>>

Jennifer Messer

To be complete honest, by trial and error. I have spent thousands of hours just trying new things and testing techniques. I would have to say, guitar strings are probably some of the most rewarding yet difficult materials to work with. There really aren’t any classes on how to use guitar string in jewelry designs. I continue to learn new techniques every time I experiment with guitar strings. A lot of my designs also incorporate vintage pieces that are beyond repair. There is no right or wrong way and no instruction book when making one-of-a-kind designs like these. Read more>>

Abigail Markov

I’m self taught, which is the answer most people are looking for, right? People usually want to know who taught you, where did you learn, what classes or schools did you attend. So, how did I learn what it is I do? I taught myself. The internet, some books, a whole lot of mistakes. Mostly mistakes – mistakes are the best teachers if you know how to use them. Read more>>

Dave Hondel

I knew I always wanted to be in the entertainment industry and specifically a director. I first became interested when I was in high school in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN. I was part of the school’s first TV Production class. We had a brand new studio built and we had a very small class size. One of my classmates was actor, Steve Zahn. Steve, along with my other classmates and I would create newscasts, interviews and music videos for class projects and we all loved being there. I remember another friend in the class, David Webber. Read more>>

Andrew Blitman

For most of my childhood, I was obsessed with world history and science — especially astronomy, biology, engineering, paleontology, psychology, and medicine. I loved watching TV shows like “The Magic School Bus”, “Bill Nye the Science Guy”, “Mythbusters”, “Blue Planet”, and “Walking with Dinosaurs”. My favorite magazines were “Natural History” , “Scientific American”, and “National Geographic”. My favorite books from that time included “Around the World in 80 Days”, “The Time Machine”, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, various encyclopedias of animals and extinct creatures, stories about maritime history and shipwrecks, records about Pompeii, and the Eyewitness book series. For fun, I would create art and play with models and puzzles, Lincoln Logs, and Erector Sets. Read more>>

Jon Turner

I started learning about photography/videography by watching Youtube non stop. After watching the videos I owuld go out and practice shooting what I was seeing and continued to work on my editing with each shoot or video I did. I think loving the process of learning and making mistakes allows you to appreciate the growth no matter how long it takes. I don’t think you should try to rush something you love doing, eventually after enough time and work you will become a master of the craft. Read more>>

Nick Delphin

at first i never knew anything about music , but i knew that i wanted to be a big artist . Then when i got 13 years old I start recording myself on my computer with just an headphone , the first song that i record was “” t’es mon oppose” in French it means that your my opposite , then i share it with my friends at school. Unfortunately there was a lot of mockeries, they were lauging so hard that i got mad ,and almost cried , then almost everyday i was writing new song share it with more friends , i gwas getting better because everytime they joke about it , they tell me what is wrong. then i perfect it , until i got better . Read more>>

Rashaad Black

When I first started I believed that everything would come easy because I felt I was naturally talented. Being an artist to me was more about free expression and less about technical skills, but I was wrong. My 100th painting was different from my first painting. I am a self taught painter/digital artist and digital fashion designer. What I initially felt were happy accidents were actually skills that were being developed. Read more>>

Casandra Hill

Whether it was graphic design, bookmaking, painting or drawing, it all started with exposure to what was possible; seeing something I wanted to be able to do and trying it. In my opinion, the act of doing it over and over again, trying to get closer to my minds vision each time, can teach more than any class. Read more>>

Emerald Barkley

I think there is a lot of pressure to learn skills, and in particular art skills, as quickly as possible so that folks can turn around and start to make a living (or at least extra income) as soon as possible. I understand the need for this, and I don’t want to take away from this need, or the ambition that folks may have to work hard and quickly towards a goal. I also think that placing an emphasis on learning skills as fast as we can has the downside of de-emphasizing the joy of learning that process, and the voice that can be found once you slow down. Read more>>

Juan Perednik

I learned to draw and paint while telling a story with the images by trial and error. I’ve changed several times my style and not only that but also the way I organized myself and how I approached to be a creative and making a living out of this. I have finally reached a level in which I feel comfortable and happy with my work. Read more>>

CedLyfe

I learned how to slide the way I do by trial and error. Alot of trying to sound like this or that. I kept trying different shit until I figured out exactly how I wanted to sound. I think a basic knowledge of mixing/EQing is one of the most essential skills I’ve picked up along the way. I used to be clueless to that side of things. I think the biggest obstacle for me has always been the technology. I’m smooth in real life but I’m terrible with computers. Read more>>

Malik Griffith

Learning how to make instrumentals came with time and studying music to the degree I felt comfortable with. Knowing what I know now, I would could honestly say speeding up the process wouldn’t make sense. I take my time with the music, and other mediums I dive into to express myself. Getting better with time is key with me. Read more>>

Camilla Byrd

As a freshmen in college I took a beginning painting class at St. Petersburg Community College. We were restricted to acrylics which I had no problem with at the time. It was a wonderful foundation for my painting career. At the time although I enjoyed painting, I didn’t see myself wanting to continue pursuing the medium as a professional. After the course, I dropped the practice of painting. This was 2016. Fast forward to the pandemic when the world was at a stand still. I was out of a job temporarily and discovered some oil paints tucked away in a closet that had been gifted to me years prior. Read more>>

Marcus Recasner

I’ve encompassed various skills when it comes to filmmaking which include directing, writing, editing, cinematography, visual effects and screenwriting. Most of what I know is from self education through watching videos on YouTube, studying other filmmakers, and lots of practice. My other knowledge is from college where I learned more about screenwriting and video production. When it comes to photography, I was able to translate what I learned about lighting and composition to take better photographs; focusing on creating a single image before creating various for a film. Being as knowledgeable as I am now, Read more>>

Jodi Bowersox

I’m an author and an artist, and I’d have to say I learned to do what I do mostly by doing it. No one will ever learn to draw or paint by staring at art, although there is value in that, and no one will write a book if they never put their fingers to the keyboard. I got my start in writing long ago as the news reporter for several 4-H clubs. They kept electing me to the office because I actually liked doing it. I moved on to writing perfectly awful poetry, then slightly better poetry, then skits ands stage productions for kids and adults. Read more>>

Malik Watts

I believe trial and error is the best way to learn anything. I go into every new experience with the expectation that I’m there to learn. Writing, recording, and producing music is a forever process that has no end until you make one. In studying the greats and working with peers in my circle, I’ve had the opportunity to observe their approaches and pull from their experiences. Asking questions is key, and it’s something I’ve found myself doing more and more as I’m getting older. Read more>>

Stephanie Mayes

I can’t say I learned to be Funny because I was always naturally Funny. I would say, I got a lot of practice in with making my Friends and family laugh. I became fascinated with making people laugh I didn’t know. Also 2 years before I started comedy I went to as many comedy show I could just to watch the craft from skilled veterans in the game.. Trying to see if I could find someone like me not realizing then that I would never because No one can be me. That’s when I made the decision to start. And until this day I’m often told my delivery style is unique and it’s been working for me every sense to just be me. I believe All entertainers should subscribe to being their Authentic selves. Read more>>

Jasmine Gonzalez

Creativity has been an innate skill I’ve been lucky to possess all my life. In my younger days, I have been the designer of Myspace pages, Black Planet layouts, various personalized phone backgrounds, and more. I found my niche for visual design while upkeeping a blog I had in my 20s. Someone brought it to my attention that I spent way too much time designing than actually writing. From there, I started to focus on becoming a designer. I watched tutorials, self-taught myself various concepts, and even enrolled in grad school to gain a M.F.A in Media Design from Full Sail University back in 2019. Read more>>

Jermaine Sain

Learning my craft is something that I have continued to struggle with because I’ve had to teach myself everything. I have always wanted to have a mentor; I’ve just never been that lucky. However, I don’t see that as a bad thing because it has allowed me to find my own pace and find out what works for me. Sometimes I wonder if I could be further along in my craft if I didn’t have to research so much on my own. Read more>>

Cameron Oneal

With painting and graphic design, everything I currently know was self taught for the most part through a lot of experimentation. I’m constantly learning and still have a lot to learn when it comes to each respective craft. I see the overall learning process as something with no real endpoint. Keeping that mindset and being consistent with your work and processes is, in my opinion, necessary to one’s evolution in their pursuits. Read more>>

Hardbody Shard

Well I started writing when I was around 14 years old. I would lock myself in my room and write verses all night. Over time I saw improvement and noticed I was getting better. Knowing what I know now, I wished I had tried to record sooner. Being able to “punch in” is very similar to writing in real time, with the exception of actually writing anything down. I don’t think there are any obstacles in the way of learning more at the moment. It’s a matter of how much effort is being put forth. Read more>>

Cory R

Well… Most of the things I’ve learned I somewhat taught myself. From falling a thousand times while back flipping to doing certain dance moves wrong, or even singing the wrong note. From that to being guided by amazing musical directors and dance teachers on my journey. It all comes with the learning process you have to fail and try again to become better. One of the best skills I’ve learned from the experience is patience and to always FEEL. The only thing that can stand in your way is you don’t let go of the things you love. Read more>>

Rossmond Chark

At first, I just went for it— No practice, no real preparation routine; I just winged it, sort of like my liner! And it worked for awhile but I found that rarely was I happy with the outcome when it came to both makeup & modeling, even while my clients or photographer were. I think the excitement and impulsiveness to wanna immediately be that vision we creatives see in our heads, ultimately slowed me down. Read more>>

” Superstar ” Symone

I did not particularly learn To do the craft it is a gift that I am continuously perfecting.What I could have done to speed up the perfecting process as I’d say, was spend more hours singing and writing perhaps taking vocal lessons to be better regardless of how good I already feel like I am. Singing, my vocal skills. Read more>>

Dina Najjar

I am always learning whether it be taking classes, reading books, watching/studying films and TV, reading scripts, and learning from others. As an actor, I believe you should study with many people and make your own process that works for you. I also believe you learn best by doing, at least I do. Classes are great, but there’s nothing like actually being on set and making movies. Read more>>

Gonzalo Ramos

Music was greatly present in my childhood and young adulthood. During these important years, I had the good fortune of having a piano in my parents home. The piano was purchased for my older sister who would later hand me down her books and materials. I began to develop my music skills on the piano, vocally, and dabbled in composition throughout my years in high school. I was introduced to vocal and piano workshops during this period and would later receive a piano scholarship to Bridges Academy. Read more>>

Charles Thomas Jr.

I would say watching those before me, asking questions and mimicking the work ethic, style, etc. of whatever it is I wanted to learn at the time. Knowing what I know now, Every dollar would go to what it is I want to do at that time. Meaning, If I had it in my mind to record an album….do it. In this day and age, the things we do are loved by someone somewhere and we just have to get it out there so people can share their love for you or your product. Read more>>

Amber Scoates

Growing up I always loved to do my friends hair and makeup. I always knew that cosmetology would be a great career for me. While I was in cosmetology school I realized that I excelled at special occasion styling, which is definitely a niche that not all stylists have. When I graduated cosmetology school I moved into working at a salon rather than in the bridal styling field because I was so unfamiliar with how to get into the industry. Read more>>

Alexcia Cooper

I started learning the craft of video editing back in my undergrad year of college at Savannah State University. I graduated with a BA in Mass Communications with a concentration in Audio/Video, so witching those 4 years I learned about camera angles, green screen editing, chroma key, lighting, etc. My acting I started pursuing a year after I moved to Texas. To speed up the process I would’ve stayed more consistent in going to classes, studying, and practicing. Going to different classes allowed me to see and try different acting techniques until I found the one that works for me. Read more>>

Rachel M

When I was 8yrs old my mom randomly decided to teach me and my siblings how to crochet. She had taught herself through books and wanted to share the craft with us. I remember making my first crochet bag with a poorly sewed on button. I really enjoyed being able to make something from yarn and I kept with it and started making clothing for myself like dresses and sweaters. Crocheting was really relaxing for me and I never felt rushed to learn more about it. I would pick a pattern, look up tutorials and learn how to do a new stitch and just enjoy the creation process. Read more>>

Christina Ali

I’ve always been considered funny from I was 12 doing comedy skits in the church to trying my hand at standup and improv at 18. Making people laugh is something I have always done naturally. But making people who know you and are having a conversation with you laugh vs. making strangers in a room expecting to be entertained laugh are two completely different things. Around 24 is when I started doing standup comedy more—getting on stage and trying new bits. I am 28 now and just starting to really take the craft seriously by experimenting and not just sticking to the same old jokes that can get a laugh. Read more>>