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.

Ian Dale

As an artist, I learn most in the process of making things. Ever since I was a kid, I have always been starting up various kinds of creative projects, or doing commissions for others, and I’ve learned a lot over time through the thousands of hours spent making stuff. I’m not great at practicing just for the sake of practice, but if I have some project I’m working towards, that helps me focus and I’ll get hours of practice along the way. Read more>>

Reese Royal

Learning the craft has been like living my dream. I have always been able to for singing but once I entered the studio for the first time I began learning my craft. Over the last five years, with my brother Royal T as my business partner, we have been able to build Royal Truth Entertainment. Our company consist of a radio show, variety show with spoken word, music & comedy plus music written & sung by me. Read more>>

Shane Smith

I was lucky enough to start out in the Film Industry before the Digital Revolution took off. I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and learned how to shoot 16MM & 35MM motion picture and the ins and outs of the darkroom. I absolutely loved being in the darkroom in college. I can still remember vividly how I felt developing my first large format negative. The feeling of the cameras hum as 35MM film flickered in front of my eye and purred against my chest. Read more>>

Ezra Flores

Mastery is defined as having a comprehensive knowledge on what your focused on. It’s taken me years to figure out what kind of artist I am. As years passed I started creating visuals of photo shoots, concept videos…wanting to be a creative director! I’ve always been so passionate about creating. But passion alone is not enough. It’s the committing, being consistent in your craft NO MATTER the struggle. Read more>>

Jeremy Fury

I started playing guitar when I was 7 years old. I took guitar lessons for 5 years, begrudgingly, before I really realized what was so great about playing. My brother who was a few years younger started learning drums. We’d always practiced separately. When I was 12 and he was about 9 or 10, we realized we could play together. That changed everything. We started not only playing other people’s songs, but writing our own songs, putting on bedroom concerts, and recording cassettes. Practicing music went from chore to pleasure. Read more>>

Heath Fewell

As a self-taught photographer, my journey of learning has been primarily driven by passion, curiosity, and a willingness to explore. I started by immersing myself in photography books, online resources, and practicing extensively with my camera. This hands-on approach allowed me to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. Read more>>

 Susan Kuznitsky

Having a good foundation is critical to becoming a successful artist. I have been blessed with great mentors starting way back when I attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago. I freelanced for several years in the Chicago area after art school doing portraits and art fairs. Then I felt it was time learn more. I was specifically interested in learning more about the pastel medium. There were very few artists teaching pastels back in the ’80’s. Read more>>

Dahlia Belle

The first and most essential step in learning the craft of comedy is to learn oneself. I was still closeted and cut off from myself when I first started, and the audience could feel it. No matter how good I believed my writing to be, I wasn’t writing for me. I essentially wrote for comics I had seen and who had inspired me. I was merely rewriting their material in my own voice – in imitation of the real thing. Read more>>

The Hotspurs!

As a group, we all come from various levels of experience and exposure to improv and theatre as an art. Some of us went to school and pursued a degree in the theatrical arts, others did it as a hobby, and still, others didn’t get involved in the comedic or improv space until they reached college. The fastest way that we have learned our craft is by teaching. Working with fellow improvisers and showing them the ropes has been the biggest asset in developing new ideas and honing old skills. Read more>>

Joy Dame

Even though Art is Objective, there’s so much behind what makes a song catchy or touch someone. Once I knew I was going to pursue this.. I felt that just like someone attends college to learn a craft, I needed to study like I was in college. This meant buying the best books on the subject(ie. Berklee Books, etc), It meant taking courses from the experts(ie.. the grammy-winners) and also being mentored, having someone cheering you on. The obstacles were funds and time.. Read more>>

Jacob Dela Torre

I graduated from Arrojo Cosmetology in NYC in 2016. Shortly thereafter, I applied to five top salons in NYC, and was invited to join all of my prospects’ teams, but ultimately decided to do my apprenticeship at the well-known Marie Robinson salon in Flatiron. Read more>>

Sandy Almonord

I got into styling because I was in a pivotal moment in my life. Before styling, I found a teacher who I was learning to sew from and gaining knowledge about the basic mechanics of fashion such as sketching and pattern grading for about a year before I decided to pivot into another path which is the styling. And since I was young I have always loved fashion for as long as I could remember, so naturally styling made sense for me. Read more>>

Kali Llano

Writing was my first craft. And it’s a strange craft. If you hold too tightly to a thought, it’s gone. If you overthink it, it becomes fuzzy. Writing has always been about an inner truth. Words are synchronic in that way. They mimic the ‘voice’ of how you’re feeling on the inside within a particular moment. So, I’ve learned that writing must come from a place of authenticity and purpose. Even if it feels strange and vulnerable, you have to let it breathe out and hold it up to the light without judgment until it’s done. Until it is out of you. Read more>>

Theresa Bakken

Audiobook narration, production and distribution is a booming business. Creator technology is accessible and affordable. Listeners of all demographics are exploring stories of all genres. Authors have more and more say about who narrates their work. And, marketplaces connecting authors to narrators are growing in size and numbers. Read more>>

Jim Hinze

I taught myself a lot of what is required in pen making. When I started, there were only a few folks in the US making fully custom fountain pens professionally. I didn’t know any of them personally and was too introverted to reach out. There were a few bulletin boards online that covered some of this, but the people in general were incredibly rude and full of themselves. I’d get answers like “… if you want to do it, you’ll figure it you.,.”. Given no other alternative, Read more>>

Zalen Cigainero

Generally speaking, everything I learn is by proxy of something else. Every skill you’ve ever learned in every field has aspects that can be applied elsewhere. Patterns are very recognizable if you look hard enough. The most essential skill I have in my arsenal is observation. Just watch. The more you pay attention, the more you can learn right off the bat. Second to that is watching people make mistakes. I make plenty, sure, but don’t take the learning curve others have had to go through for granted. Read more>>

Red Rosé

When it comes to learning the craft or learning how to be a artist or any type of creative, the best way to learn to me is through trail and error . By just doing and failing and getting back up and trying and doing again and again. One thing I could have done to speed up my learning process in the beginning is to maybe be more open minded. When I say open minded I mean have the mentality of ; what can I learn from this person , place or thing . Rather than a why is this happening to me mind set. Read more>>

Rae Grand

I travel to a lot of Music Festivals to live paint in front of thousands of people, and some of those people will ask me, “How do I do this?” I tell them how my experience led me to live painting. I tell them to start with a sketchbook. Bring your sketchbook everywhere and draw what interests you. Follow your interests. Ten years ago, I was dating a Mandolin player and was surrounded by musicians all the time. Read more>>

Desireé Irving

Learning for me first came with interest. Growing up, I really enjoyed looking at magazines like Hype Hair and Sophisticates to admire all the work inside. So that in a sense was a way for me to study and then try styles on myself. I was also FULLY interested in beauty culture as a whole, specifically in my community. There was a period of my life that I was fortunate enough to experience a Black hair salon. Read more>>

Keenan Hightower

This answer is going to be a little long lol. It started with an instant love for music out the womb I am a fan of almost all genres I wont say what i don’t like lol. But really learning how to rap came from just listening to it a lot. Then i caught the bug and began freestyling and then started to actually write songs. I don’t think i could have sped up my learning process honestly since i started so early. As far as like structure of songs etc i could have started reading literature on it early. Read more>>

Callie Luhrman

I have been interested in everything arts and crafts related, and from a young age I was very fortunate to have parents that encouraged me to explore my creativity. My family is very creative, so I learned about drawing and seeing the world through an artistic lens. Read more>>

Heather Cohen

I think the best way to learn is experience. I started building my business a few years before actually becoming an official business owner on the job learning. I think it takes time to build relationships and learn the industry. I was eager to start, passionate about event planning and loved how this process allowed me to use my creativity. Read more>>

Meggie Bailey

I have always been obsessed with candles. There is something incredibly comforting and primal about a live flame. When something is an important part of your lifestyle, I believe it’s both important and satisfying to know how it’s made. Curious about the process, I purchased my first candle-making supplies in the winter of 2020. Candle-making is as much an art as it is a science, a mindful dance between time, temperature, and ratios. Read more>>

Maria Cline

With each medium I use, it’s been a similar process: I have had to learn to listen to the craft through my body & to work with it — rather than make it work for me. There’s a certain level of respect and cohesion I think is necessary to have any medium flourish in your work. A lot of what I do is self-taught through an informed background. A way to speed it up…don’t focus on the mistakes and just let it happen. Read more>>

Danny Blacker

I learned to create jewelry by taking the risk in the first place. I saw a type of earring I wanted to wear and jumped at the chance to create it. The environment around me has always played a big part in my inspiration. I wanted to create jewelry that connected the customer with nature and represented the free spirit of the wild west. I love incorporating elements of the environment into my work, such as locally sourced antler sheds, feathers, and leather. Read more>>

Kara Rainer

There is always something to learn! I have loved (mostly) every step along this path of going after my dream, but there is a lot of hard work. Even though you have talent, there is a lot to learn in this industry. I remember when I first started dipping a toe into this world, I thought, sure, I’ll take a few classes get my feet wet and then I’ll be good to go right…? I quickly learned that there is always something to learn Read more>>

Dereje Deres

Growing up, I had seen movies and television, but I never held a camera in my hand until I found an opportunity in my neighborhood to participate in a film and media workshop. Everything was foreign to me. The tools and terminology were comparable to learning how to walk for the first time on the moon. At times it seemed utterly unattainable. I had already graduated from college with a business degree. It felt like I was late to the game compared to my classmates. Read more>>

Elliot Wills-Begley

My journey in leathercraft was a perfect example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect. After completing my first project, a small pouch to hold dog treats, I thought I could tackle anything. For my second project, I attempted to make a crossbody shoulder bag. After getting started, I realized that I needed a lot more practice. I forced myself to slow down and learn the basics. Read more>>

Tailen Toliver

I began learning my craft in 6th grade when I decided to become a recording artist. I was always around music growing up. Being that I grew up in church, I mostly listened to Karen Clark-Sheard, Vickie Winans and The Clark Sisters. Once I got to 6th grade though, I became enthused with Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and the American Idol franchise. Read more>>

Frankie Green

As weird as it may sound. my podcasting was created from a place of grief. My father Frankie The Big Bopper was a nationally and well-known radio announcer for nearly 40 years. He passed away in 2018. He did so much in and for the community; his legacy deserved to live on and continuously inspire the world. A family friend that was mentored by my dad shared with me how dad mentioned that he always knew that the giftings that he carried were also instilled in me and knew that once I made the decision and focused, Read more>>

Tristan Braines

From a very young age, I’ve always possessed a great love for film and it has always be a huge source of inspiration to fuel my creatively. However, the journey toward accomplishing meaningful goals and improving the skills related to being an aspiring film maker, has been long and vigorous. But it’s this journey I feel is a vital part of who you are and how it shapes the work you want to create. Read more>>

Parker Lemal-Brown

I learned how to write by doing a lot of reading – and watching. I’ll watch my favorite shows on repeat, until I understand why I really love them. This is incredibly helpful as I write my own projects, because the ultimate goal is to get my own work as close to how those shows make me feel. I started writing in middle school, mostly half-baked novels and spec episodes of Parks & Rec. Read more>>

Sean Boyd

Just taking a chance on learning more about others as well as myself networking and sharing is key but helping people learn the blueprint is my passion and purpose Read more>>

Han Lee

I started learning Visual Development and Storyboarding in a deeper way after I chose to major in animation at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Before that, I had been doing mainly painting and illustration, furthermore, I wanted to work in the film and animation industry. So, I started studying visual development and storyboarding in a deeper way. Read more>>

Aidan Dillon

I have no professional training in art. The only classes I’ve taken related to painting and fine art come from high school. Otherwise, everything I’ve learned has been self-taught and influenced from other aspects of my life, such as urban studies and landscape architecture. I would ever say my painting craft is impressive or noteworthy. Read more>>