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.
Jordan Duda and Jacob Cochran
We learned how to make stained glass from our uncle. It was a right of passage, a coming of age of sorts, that on or after your 13th birthday you could learn the art. We learned with him in our grandmother’s garage where he passed on the trade he had learned from those before him. Since then, our spouses have learned, and even our youngest sister has picked up the passion! Read more>>
Arianna Pappas
I always loved to write. English and History were my favorite classes in school because of all the writing assignments. However, I was required to write about topics I wasn’t able to choose. I started journaling more often and writing lyrics in the margins of my papers. Read more>>
Seres Jaime Magaña
Every project is a learning experience and all nuances come at the right time. When I start directing a play, I know the project will present new challenges and open my mind to new ideas. In theater you work with a team, and you get to see many minds working on the realization of one story, and that’s what makes every project so rich and fun. Read more>>
Matthew Charles
All of my learning about photography has been self taught so far. YouTube videos, podcasts, books, really anything I could get my hands on to learn about photography. At first focusing on the fundamentals, what makes a good photo. Lighting, composition, exposition. Read more>>
Janell Almodovar-Cora
I’m a self taught handbag designer. I learned to sew from my mom and grandmothers as a young child and then took more of an interest in fashion, design and sewing during my high school years. In my mid twenties I started making handbags for myself and then for family and friends. Read more>>
Zack Johnson
I have always had a love for creation and learned a lot about woodworking from my father. Probably the most important lesson was about having a sense of pride in my work. When COVID hit, I was laid off and took the opportunity to learn about leather working. Read more>>
Charles Smith
My family and friends would always tell me that I had the “gift of gab” and I have always had a love for broadcast radio. The way the personality pulls you in and hooks you in with their vocal inflections did it for me. When I was in my late 20’s, I started listening to podcasts while the medium was still new. I was looking for an organic transition out of being a singer and wanted a way to story tell through this style of media. Read more>>
Becca Henthorne
I don’t really have a set point in my life when I decided to be an artist. I’ve been creatively inclined since I was very young, and pursuing art was a natural path for me. Learning to paint has been a gradual process of practice and experimentation with different mediums. Read more>>
GFM Recording Studios
We met in 2016 at Chapman Recording & Mastering in Kansas City after going to school for music, and that is where our team started. We came up under the greatest mentors this region has to offer; Chuck Chapman and Robert Rebeck. This really expedited our learning process. Read more>>
Ethan Calabria
Generally speaking, I’ve always been my own biggest obstacle in my creative growth. When I was younger, I was very concerned with producing something ‘impressive’ so that other people would take me seriously. Learning a new skill always makes you feel like an *d**t. Being okay with feeling uncomfortable has allowed me to learn the skills I need from friends, online resources and from failures as I go about my work. Read more>>
Alyssa Tranbarger
For me, learning photography has been about trial and error and figuring out what works and what doesn’t. I don’t necessarily think there’s one “right” way to be a photographer or one “right” way to learn; as long as you’re having fun and you enjoy the artistic practice, that’s what matters most. Read more>>
Clover Li
My current work are mostly made with tablet, but my journey of learning to make art definitely start with brush and paper. Before I knew I loved drawing, I practiced Chinese calligraphy for nine years since primary school, that helped me understand the rhyme and mood in the lines and shapes. When I was not doing calligraphy, I loved doodling as a kid. Read more>>
Timothy Callaghan
As a visual artist and an educator I have been engaged with the life long process of learning the craft of painting. I have been drawing and painting since I was a child and learn something new each time I begin a new body of work. I also learn new strategies and techniques when working with student that inform my process. Learning any new craft or process requires dedication and patience and a willingness to accept failure as a necessary part of the process. Read more>>
Torrie Parker
•When i was younger, I wasn’t able to go get haircuts frequently due to my family’s financial status, So I decided to start cutting my own hair and my little brothers, Eventually people started asking me who cut my hair. & word went around. Read more>>
Vega Montanez
Looking back on my career, one thing I would do differently, is go to school for the networking opportunities. When I take the time to compare my experiences against those of my peers, I find the biggest difference to be thee relationships they share with people in their network, many of whom they met while enrolled in university. Read more>>
Robin Jack Sarner
Learning to be creative is synonymous with being creative but “learning your craft” is more about being massively vulnerable about one’s current proficiency. Recently, upon harshly evaluating my own skills, I felt the need to improve the strength in my painting style but first had to accept the weaknesses and fears I harbored. Read more>>
Edgar Salas
We learned our filmmaking skills the way many creators have – trial and error. It started when I had this idea for a short film, and I asked a friend to be part of it. Read more>>
Andrew Alba
Ive been drawing and painting my whole life, I think it got serious in highschool when i had a solid group of friends and a good art teacher. This teacher and group of friends really planted a seed for me. Right after highschool i went into construction. i didnt have time for higher education but I continued hanging out with that group of friends at the local university going to the figure drawing sessions every Saturday getting lunch afterwards and talking about art. Read more>>
Benni Bank$
I’ve always had a biggg love for music when i was younger i had a friend who’s dad would play all kinds of music. From bob marley to Bon Jovi he really expanded my musical ear. And my friend later started music production and i started writing. The whole process has really changed over the years i use to record music on my phone before i got in a real studio. Read more>>
Joey Melinda Morgan
I use Photoshop to create my digital composite imagery artwork. My day job requires me to use Photoshop on a daily basis so I started learning/using the program over 15 years ago. I use the digital skills that I learned ‘on the job’ to now create artwork utilizing photos that have been merged and manipulated into a single composite image. Read more>>
Onzie Norman
I have to start with learning carpentry in high school this skill would go on to play an important role in my artistic development, after high school I joined the carpenter’s union and after 13 years I became a licensed builder which led to entrepreneurship. At age 33 I had vision that I was an artist, and I began my creative journey practicing relentlessly to find my voice as a creative. Read more>>
Lumy Levenhagen
I remember being interested in arts and crafts from a very young age, but I was mostly self-taught. I think maybe having opportunities of learning in a formal class, or at least, being taught by a teacher, could’ve made my progress faster and probably easier. Although, I believe the most important things for an artist are passion and dedication, and never stop practicing and trying to improve. Read more>>
Shane Miller
My first delve into painting was during high school. I had a watercolor tutor that would come to the house a couple times each month to teach me the basics of composition, color theory, etc. Moving forward into college and beyond I spent time exploring acrylics and oils on the weekends when I could find the time. Read more>>
Eugenia Alexander
My grandmother is a Master Artist and i wanted her to teach me how to sew, quilt and dye fabric. She wouldn’t teach me unless i applied for this apprenticeship the learn under a Master Artist of my choice, it was insurance that i would take it seriously. I ended up getting the apprenticeship and chose to study under my grandmother who taught me how to quilt and also indigo dye. Read more>>
Bella Schneiderman
I didn’t particularly learn I more so developed my skill of writing over time. An obstacle that stood in the way is something I still struggle with , I fear other people reading my writing. Read more>>
Gina Monahan
I never took proper photography classes when I started. It was all trial and error. I was lucky enough to have good mentors at the time that would give me tips on editing, some of which were not afraid to tell me that my editing was bad! But they always showed me how to fix it. Read more>>
Ashleigh Wheeler
I learned electroforming through a lot of research and trial and error. I’m self-taught so I relied on fellow artists willing to share their expertise and techniques. Electroforming is a process that uses electricity and chemicals to create the finished product, so taking the time to learn the science behind the process helped me to understand how all the parts need to work together to produce the desired results. Read more>>
Paula Goforth
How did you learn to do what you do? Read more>>
Android Oi
I learned what I can do first and foremost by studies in many different techniques and mediums in college. But that being said, there’s no specific end to learning. Along with knowing technique and fundamentals, you explore the metaphysical world with simple life lessons in creativity and experimentation. Knowing what I know now I don’t believe that I would do anything to speed up my learning process. Read more>>
Alexander Heir
Although I went to art school, I didn’t really start to refine my skills until after I graduated and spent time constantly drawing and creating work. There’s no substitute for just doing it, making mistakes, and figuring out what works and doesn’t work. Good taste and style always trumps technical skill, however. I’ve never been the most naturally proficient draughtsman, but I’ve had a confident vision. It took me a while to realize my technical challenges were actually a positive; the mistakes in my work actually help define my style and make the work more unique. Read more>>
Samia Clay
I learned photography by watching, honestly. I could surround myself with other creatives and get my first camera; everything was hands-on. That was the best way to immerse myself in my craft and learn something new about my camera and what worked for me. I don’t think I would do anything to speed up my process because learning took me so long and helped me figure out what was suitable for me and what was typical for someone else. Read more>>
Kasi Lee
I’ve always been the type to lead others, but didn’t really have the confidence to do so because I didn’t believe I was qualified enough to be considered a “leader”. Even in school, I was always the one to manage what needed to be done, helped delegate tasks and kept everyone on track so eventually I asked myself, “what’s stopping me from leading something I’m passionate about with other like minded individuals?” Read more>>
Lavonte Najee-Akram
My biggest teacher when it came to learning how to create music in the way that I do really comes from listening to such a wide variety of music. I started making music about 2 years ago, so I’m still pretty new to it regarding the creative process, but I feel throughout those 2 years I also have been able to pick up a lot of skills from my peers that also make music. Read more>>
Gerriah Lynch
I started off singing in school and around the house, mimicking the ad-libs of some of my favorite artists and songs on the radio. My music taste was shaped by my environment, my family would play R&B/Soul, Hip-hop, Reggae, and Blues. I’m still burrowing some CDs I took as a kid today. Read more>>
Samone Goodrich
It’s been said that experience is the best teacher. I could agree more; however, this becomes a challenge when planning and executing one of the most important days of a couple’s life—their wedding. I learned what I knew by experience, but I was adamant about receiving my certification. Read more>>
ADST Music
I learned music marketing through trial and error and also through losing money when I saw what someone was doing and realized I could do it myself. I applied what I learned in business at Bowie State University in addition to what I learned in Healthcare. Read more>>
Olivier Boutaud
When Nathalie and I started working with leather, we went to a leather craft store to see what tools were available and watched some videos on YouTube. The staff from the store were very helpful to guide us at the beginning. We made our first leather bags and were very encouraged by the feed-back from the different people who saw them. Read more>>
Bobby Flores
– How did you learn to do what you do? Read more>>
Sean Haselden
– I’ve learned photography over the years through many different methods. I’ve always been curious on how things work so my curiosity lends to ask questions like “how do you achieve that result?”. I read some basic photography books explaining aperture, ISO, and shutter speed when I got my first digital camera. Read more>>
Grace Johnson
I originally learned how to knit when I was a little girl, my grandmother taught me but I didn’t quite have the attention span for it yet. So when I was in college, I was tired of being on my phone and wanted to learn how to create something, so using Youtube videos, Pinterest, and more guidance from my grandma, I relearned how to knit. Read more>>
Jon Bennion
My decision to become an “Intermediate Chef” and pursue pasta perfection came at an important life pivot. I wasn’t looking to change my career after working as an attorney for 15 years, but I was looking to focus my free time into something to channel creativity and work with my hands. Read more>>
Sanchari Bhattacharyya
Any hobbies that start with only liking goes deeper with time and efforts. I have learnt to stay consistent and sometimes just going easier than overthinking are helpful. Read more>>
Julia James
I am a singer/songwriter from the Boston area in Massachusetts. When it comes to story-telling, it is so important and therapeutic to me. Reaching for a pencil and paper became the healthiest habit and I am so thankful for that. Having lived and spent time in Nashville and Boston, as well as visiting and working in Los Angeles, my writing has never felt boxed in by a single genre. I am constantly surrounded by different types of people, music, and experiences. Read more>>
Amber Casillas
For the past 10 years, I was the director of a dance studio and it forced me to learn a ton of new skills. I learned how to build entire costumes from scratch, reimagine classical ballets, create entire productions from start to finish, plan and organize our recitals and competitions, and so much more. Read more>>