One of the most daunting aspects of pursing a creative or artistic career for many aspiring artists is not knowing how to learn the craft. So, we asked some very talented artists and creatives to talk to us about how they learned their crafts and we hope their stories will help you in your journey.

Jacob Slichter

I’ve learned the most by doing. This applies to all of my endeavors — writing, drumming, teaching. There’s no substitute for being thrown into the work and struggling to figure things out. Read More>>

Morgan Lester

I’ve been working in LA for 15 years, but acting since I was very young. No doubt that my traditional education in theater formed my solid foundation but I’ve most valued the reps of going into spaces that scare me. In my network tests and chemistry reads, my training didn’t mean anything if I didn’t know how to execute in a nerve-wracking space. Read More>>

Juwan Clarke

As a graphic designer, I’ve always loved creating art as a young child. With the growing technology, I’ve enhanced my skills with creating digital art as a student at Cass Technical High School in 2011 under the Graphic Arts curriculum. Read More>>

Gunnice

No other practice has taught me devotion more than tattooing. Beyond the initial excitement in building your own brand and curating an aesthetic, without a foundation in mastering the technical side of things, the work is already compromised. It’s important to me that I’m not so attached to an outcome that I risk shortcutting on the details that really matter. Read More>>

Auxpt

I can say through my 17 years of doing music and performing if I could go back I would have focused on networking more in the beginning. I use to be to my self more, I didn’t trust people so I wouldn’t put my self out there. Read More>>

April Behnke

I’m still learning my craft and I don’t believe that ever ends. I see craft as both technical and mental. The technical side has come easier to me because I’ve enjoyed drawing and painting since childhood. My skills have grown through repetition and focus over decades. Teachers, classes, books, and my artist colleagues have, of course, helped enormously with that too. Read More>>

Yasmin De Paula

I believe that as an actor, you are never done learning, just like in life. As a former AMDA Musical Theatre student, I received intensive training in acting, singing, and dance, which gave me a strong foundation in acting technique. However, some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned have come from life and self-discovery. Read More>>

Freedom Heartsong

Well I feel like everything that I create in whatever artistic realm, I learn to do through direct experience and a deep surrender to the spirit of life and the soul within me. There is an inner knowing that leads and guides through each creation, whether it be a beautiful song or a visual art piece. Read More>>

Xposyur

Understanding you cannot teach passion, I did not necessarily learn how to be an artist. I simply became who I am. I embodied my thoughts and feelings and took a risk to put it out to the world. I will most definitely say I watched Youtube University…alot! I observed different people in different settings and spaces and crafted my own style from there. Read More>>

Khalid Jackson

Covid played the greatest part in how I learned how to make music. I was going to my cousin’s house to record little unfleshed out ideas, but once covid came that wasn’t possible anymore. If I wanted to continue creating I had to learn how to do it on my own. YouTube, along with trial and error became my best resources. Read More>>

Lelaina Scott

It started with passion and restlessness. I had these ideas, I had this inspiration and I didn’t know what to do with it, where to put it and how to learn more. As a creative, you are your own teacher as much as you are an artist. You have to be driven to learn. Read More>>

Christine Carpenter

I have always been deeply drawn to creating, but my current professional practice is primarily focused on watercolor and the craft of natural pigment-making. I picked up watercolors during the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching myself as a way to pay tribute to my late grandmother, who was a watercolor artist. Read More>>

edwin pericles

I learned by singing through emotion before technique. Music was how I survived before it was a skill. Looking back, trusting my natural tone sooner and learning basic vocal fundamentals earlier would’ve sped things up. Emotional awareness, breath control, and restraint were essential. The biggest obstacles were self-doubt, limited access to guidance, and learning to accept vulnerability as strength. Read More>>

Thiago Wolf

I first started learning music when I was 7 years old. My grandfather used to play acoustic guitar and accordion at home and seeing him play made me curious and inspired me to try. He and my father promptly started looking for music lessons in my town when they realized that I was interested in learning. Read More>>

Cher Álvarez

I had an incredible high school drama theatre teacher, Kylene Hurley and she really was the first person ever to provide me with a foundation for acting. It was seeing her love for the craft that I believe really inspired me. I loved watching her direct, she always approached the work with so much heart and truth. Read More>>

Taylor G McConnachie

Fresh out of school, I vowed to apply to anything and everything I could find so I could build up a body of work as fast as possible. In doing that, I grew my technical and creative skillsets while also building a network of clients and colleagues. Read More>>

Charlotte Smith

Photography as always been a huge part of who I am, I loved capturing moments with friends in high school and even in college. When working with clients, I always strive to understand what we are looking to capture. Read More>>