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.
Victoria Martonne
At a young age I knew I wanted to be a performer, so I prepped for my career my whole life basically. Back in school I was in drama club, choir and band. I started taking guitar lessons at 14 years old because I wanted to be able to write my own songs. After graduating from high school I attended a performing arts college where I got my BFA in Acting and the training I acquired throughout this journey was fundamental for my career. Studying the craft is very important just like in any other profession; You need to know the rules to be able to break them and make things your own, and training will give you the confidence to do so and explore. I also believe that as an artist the craft doesn’t come just from books but from personal experience. Art is something meant to be felt and rarely it is rationalized, for this reason when I refer to training, I am referring to techniques that can act synergistically with personal experience, supporting each other in a way that will make the performance stronger and sustainable (specially if it’s performance you will have to do many times). As a singer, learning the craft is also crucial for my progress. My voice requires training and technique in other for me to have enough knowledge on how to use it that I am able to freely explore. Read more>>
Dalayna Marji
My journey across Creative, Marketing, Social Media, Email Campaigns, Videography, Photography, VAVV Mission Trips, and Founding a student-led club has been an exhilarating ride – all in service of learning how to Communicate the Mission I believe in. While Directing Communications at Vera Aqua Vera Vita, my passion ignited and my expertise flourished with research and guidance. Vital skills like adaptability, creativity, and impactful communication fueled my success amidst challenges, from juggling tasks to staying in tune with the ever-shifting digital landscape. Navigating the changes since the rise of TikTok and Short vertical videos may be my biggest challenge yet. However, new technology continues to speed up my progress and my experiences have taught me the beauty of perseverance and resourcefulness. Aligned with Vera Aqua Vera Vita, I’ve harnessed the power of communication to break boundaries and make an enduring impact, and I’m committed to an unwavering journey of innovation and transformation. Read more>>
Michael Baxter
I find relevance in the age-old master-apprentice model, as it cuts through years of trial and error by working directly with the expert. Unfortunately for me, I did not have this opportunity. My approach was to study the imagery of professionals, whose work I respected. From that point I went through the tedious process of trial and error, discovering how to achieve the look I wanted. While it wasn’t quick and easy, it was exactly what I needed to learn the craft and develop my own unique style. In any field of expertise, it’s recommended to surround yourself with professionals who are better than you are. I networked with the same pros whose work I was impressed by, and I was a sponge. I gleaned anything I could from the conversations we had. After twenty years I still try to go into projects with an attitude of learning, although it’s shifted towards the client’s interests nowadays. In other words, I focus less on what I want to create and more on creating my client’s vision. Read more>>
Brian Lindsey
When I started my photography journey, I began by taking street photography and gaining all my knowledge from YouTube and hands-on experience. I watched a lot of videos by other photographers, both old and new, such as Gordon Parks, Andre D. Wagner (Photo Dre), Vuhlandes, and many more. I used their images and videos to help me develop my own style. I believe you have to draw knowledge from everyone, while also creating something unique by going out and doing it yourself. Read more>>
Krimzon
I have been mostly self-taught through over 15 years of writing music, recording, marketing, and performing live. Writing and making music and learning how to record came first. Then, marketing and performing came later once I was confident enough to release and perform my material. I studied all the greats from 2Pac to Kendrick Lamar. I watched how they performed in music videos, what they wore, their stage presence, and their cadence on songs. Read more>>
Cicely Jones
I learned how to curate from applying to internships, asking questions, making mistakes, and being proactive. The most essential skill in learning to curate was being confident. Confidence in my decisions, questions, and opinions were what helped me develop my own curatorial eye. Learning to stand on the concepts that I deem important is what allows me to create new and exciting exhibitions. School became a small obstacle once I really began to get my hands into the hard work of curating. I was learning in real time how to build exhibitions from start to finish but would be interrupted by schoolwork or going to class. For me, I learned better and faster by doing. Knowing what I do now, I feel that being more proactive would have sped up my learning process. If I had put myself out there more with my questions or ideas, I would have began learning what I am now back when I was still an intern. Read more>>
Joy Hanna
Songwriting is something you have to start doing because you’re inspired but then to progress you have to train that creative muscle. I took a ton of lessons growing up- music theory, piano, guitar and songwriting. Being able to play instruments has been hugely helpful in crafting songs and melodies. Books and creative writing exercises have helped to hone the lyrics side of songwriting. Read more>>
Jay Heath
Learning the craft is key for me . I spend hours daily studying and manicuring my creative reach. There’s always some new software coming out or a new wave on how to edit . It’s my job to not only stay with the times , but to make sure I’m advancing my knowledge for the future. Now a days with these A.I programs, it is becoming more difficult to remain a necessary need in the industry . Therefore you have to make your compositions undeniable. Read more>>
Christopher Scott Carpenter
My grant to live and work in India, awarded to me by the American India Foundation (AIF) as a Clinton Fellow, commenced in the fall of 2018. I was flung headfirst into a provocative, thrilling, colorful, loud, and kinetic kaleidoscope of spirituality and culture. I lived in India for two years, the longest I’d stayed in any place so far outside the United States. India is dazzling in its chaotic grandeur, and in order to catalogue and make sense of my experiences I devoted myself, for the first time, to utilizing my camera as a tool to connect, explore, and interpret. As I was so gleefully submerged in chaos, the art and craft of photography enabled me to create order – through the composition of elements in the frame and the utilization of light and motion, I was able to hone my skills in photography while simultaneously expanding my worldview – a true baptism by fire. Read more>>
Anton DuFort
The beautiful aspect of a creative career/passion is the continuation of learning and honing your craft. Nobody has every answer to every single question or curiosity in photography, and thats somewhat the dangling carrot being a photographer…it’s all subjective and everybody has their own vision of what constitutes as “art” Personally I love learning, and its up to you to explore new concepts or techniques be it lighting, posing for models, viewpoints while shooting and ultimately that’s what brings me joy throughout the creative process. Read more>>
Irene Feleo
I started taking my painting practice seriously around two years ago. Back then, I was working as an Art Director at a production studio and would do a lot of my personal illustration work on the computer. I knew that I wanted to create more work with my hands, and I realized that the only way to do that was to dedicate time to the studio and put the hours in. At first, I found it incredibly frustrating and disheartening. The quality of work that I could create painting by hand was ions away from the work that I had been creating for years digitally. The whole process was much slower, you had to wait for the paint to dry, there was no ctrl+Z if you made a mistake, and it never felt like anything was really done. But for these reasons I loved it! I don’t really know if there is a way to speed up your learning process because I think that process of learning a new discipline is part of what makes it stimulating. There is a lot of trial and error in figuring out what process works for you. The only way to do that is to put hours in, show up (physically and emotionally), and be okay with things taking time. With my digital work, I love to play and experiment; shifting colors and layering compositions quickly and intuitively. It has probably taken me up until now to get to that same process with painting, and I feel like I have barely scratched the surface. Read more>>
Stephanie Geismar
I learned about fragrance initially through my mother, who has always been a lover of fragrance herself. I grew up stealing her fragrances and going shopping with her. During the pandemic, I became obsessed with watching YouTube videos about fragrances for hours, it was my escape and proved very therapeutic. After a year of sampling, learning and starting my own collection, I decided to begin my own fragrance content. I figured, I’m just as passionate as anyone else about smells! Read more>>
ABSTRCTN
Learning your craft can be the most fun and frustrating part of music. Experimenting with new rhyme schemes, trying out new genres, it’s all about the journey when it comes to the craft. Your styles and musical tendencies and inclinations are inspired by what you love! The combination of skill and artistic expression really gives life to us as creatives, but it truly takes time to develop. Read more>>
Jennifer Moraca
I started singing at a very young age, in school choirs. It’s where I learned a lot about music theory and good technique for singing. But I didn’t pick up an instrument until much later and I’m largely self-taught. I watch videos and read books and look up chord charts. But I wish I had started sooner and practiced more early on, so I had more time playing and writing songs under my belt. Read more>>
David Bertok
The exciting and daunting part about my work as film composer is that you learn by far the most “on the job”. Being an accomplished composer and musician can help, but it won’t solve the main challenges on a film (or TV) project. I always say, that writing music is the easiest part of my work. Challenges that emerge can be as wide-ranging as: balancing dynamics between producers and the director, interpreting their way of communicating about music, juggling daredevil deadlines and sometimes even more daredevil budgets. Then, starting out you have to be your own PR company, manager, agent. You set your rate and almost always say yes. There is a lot to learn and of course the competition is fierce and global. So I try to focus on keeping my eyes on the ball, doing the best possible work, being patient, committed and being in it for the long run. Read more>>
Cesar Huchim
When I was young, I developed a passion for music. I admired bands so much I decided to learn to play guitar. I never got lessons, I was just so determined to learn, I picked up a guitar and played until I figured it out. I continue to further develop my talents. Read more>>
Erin Pulford
I learned collaging mostly by trial and error rather than formal instruction. I started following collage artists on Instagram for overall inspiration and learning some tricks of the trade, but mostly I just made enough collages to start understanding the basics of how to do them well (not that they are some giant mystery to figure out). The major hurdle that I found in learning to collage was making the paper not wrinkle, while also making sure that the collage paper adheres to the paper that you glue it to. I found that if I didn’t put enough glue on, the paper did not stick, but too much and it would be a sloppy gluey mess. I think that learning that balance just takes practice and a lot of patience. To this day, the most nerve-wracking part of collaging is the gluing. I also learned how to cut precisely and the tools to use for different shapes and materials through trial and error. Funny enough, one of the reasons I wasn’t too keen on collaging with my partner in the beginning was because growing up left-handed, I had to use right-handed scissors most of the time and my cutting was terrible as a kid. I still use right-hand scissors when I don’t use an exacto knife but have adapted over time to the point I can’t even use left-handed scissors. As far as the basic design principles of collaging go, in addition to having an eye for design, I was lucky enough to take several art history classes in college as electives that helped me understand color, composition, and textures which is important to collage. I also continue to go to museums, travel to new places, attend local art events, and hang out with fellow creatives to nourish my creativity. Read more>>
Laura Sotelo
It all started with YouTube videos honestly. And then it evolved into purchasing posing and guiding classes from renowned photographers like Lindsay Adler and learning from her. But also studying and getting inspiration from other photographers on Instagram. I don’t think that there is anything that I would have done to speed up the learning process. I’m a firm believer in things happening for a reason and when that time is due. There’s no way I’d be able to appreciate working with all the different clients that I’ve had the privilege of working with. And being witness to them reconnecting with their confidence. Read more>>
Mel Beach
In 2003, I had a stack of t-shirts and got the idea to stitch them together into a quilt. My mother loaned me her Kenmore sewing machine and showed me how to use the various features and set me off to make my first quilt. Looking back, there were plenty of technical issues, but I absolutely loved the process and immediately purchased quilting cotton to start my second quilt and have probably made 200 or more quilts since then! For the first 7 or so years, I learned how to make mostly traditional quilts through quilting books, magazines, and tv programs. When I moved across country to San Jose, California, I joined a quilt guild and enrolled in quilting workshops through both the guild and several local quilt shops. Each workshop introduced me to new set of techniques, tips, and tools to add to my quilting tool box. At times I wish I had started taking workshops sooner, but since I never knew there were “quilting rules”, I tend to be fairly fearless and quite resourceful when it comes to my quilting! Read more>>
Keegan Lewins
I think that last question is the most important. I stood in my own way. I started painting as a form of a coping mechanism. I was trying to survive through PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction. I liked Art in grade school but didn’t think much of it after. Going crazy I decided to paint to pick up a creative hobby. The first painting I did, knowing only the basics (mixing primary colors, lol), I didn’t stop till it was finished, and before I knew it 7 hours had passed. It was of a girl full of dread smoking a cig. It was me. I painted more and more trying to figure out how to sketch and looking up YouTube videos. When I wasn’t getting it, I realized I’m not the best sketch artist and that maybe art wasn’t my thing. You play mind games, like imposter syndrome. At the end of the day, I knew I loved painting and it helped me put feelings to canvas, expressing and interpreting the heavy burdens of life. I shared it on my Instagram and within that day I sold everything I had painted taking any offers (which were way higher than I could have imagined). I began to gain some confidence. Time goes on and you paint and learn just by trial and error or quicker ways or new cool things to add that aren’t just paint. People began to ask for specific paintings and it carried on that way. Today I still get imposter syndrome and I have to remind myself I am no expert and that’s the best part, Art is subjective and Art is the one place I won’t allow myself to be perfect the learning as you go has been the biggest creative puzzle of it. Read more>>
Julia Lofstrand
My Dad was a photographer. I picked up one of his cameras when I was a kid and he taught me everything I needed to know about the basics of photography. This was long before the digital age, and I still feel that the fundamentals of analog photography have had the biggest influence on how I see things and shoot today. I shot all throughout middle school and high school and was accepted to the Maryland Institute College of Art. One of the biggest obstacles for me was learning new programs and technology when the digital world took over. Things are still constantly evolving and changing. I continue to take classes in an effort to stay current and continue learning. Read more>>
Ashlee Cinco & Cary Barberich
We both started training as dancers from ages 3 (Cary) & 5 years old (Ashlee). Back in the early 80s, dance lessons were just ballet, tap & jazz. It was those 3 disciplines and we didn’t learn how to connect to emotions. But coming back as older dancers, with life experience and far more stories to tell, we began exploring the craft of dance beyond technique and precision. We’ve experienced so much in our 40+ years of living: disappointment, loss, heartache, joy, freedom, and empowerment. And now we know how to use these experiences & emotions to level up our dancing and performances. This part of the craft is the crux of the AC Experience that we work on. Read more>>
Grace Millard
The simplest answer is I’m obsessed with learning. It makes my brain buzz to feel a new movement, watch a process take form from idea to fullness. I think this is essential to any creative practice. Even thru artist blocks, I still feel a pull to absorb certain imagery–sights, sounds, places–that fill me up until I come back to my work. Read more>>
Matthew Scoffic
When I first started learning photography, I had a very specific intention in mind. I wanted to learn product photography so I could share images related to a hobby. I began by reading books and tutorials, and by watching how-to videos on all the basics of exposure triangle, composition, and equipment. At the time, I had no idea that I would soon start carying my camera everywhere and pursue a genre I didn’t even know the name of: Street Photography. Of course, there are many techniques and approaches specific to street photography, but all of the basics of the craft are applicable. I try to always stay open to new types of inspiration and be willing to try new things. You never know what creative opportunities may come up in the future, but a solid technical foundation and a willingness to experiment could lead to a whole new inspiration. Read more>>
Kathy Oda
Learning how to properly make candles definitely had more of a learning curve than most people think it does. I knew I wanted soy wax because it tends to burn cleaner. Once I settled on the type of wax, I had to determine what type of fragrance I was going to use. I dabbled with pure essential oils and fragrance oils and settled on non-toxic fragrances that I boost with essential oils to be the best combination for me. And then there was the wicking. There is a whole science behind choosing the correct wick for a candle! Which means a LOT of experimenting and test burns. So, I spent a lot of time testing before ever selling my first candle! Read more>>
Gavilán De Oro
I learned to perform my craft properly by staying 100% consistent, dedicated, & by not taking shortcuts. There’s no such things as cutting corners when it comes to reaching the ultimate goal. That is why it takes much longer to fabricate a Ferrari than it does to make a Honda. There are multiple roadblocks and many distractions that will attempt to discourage and stop you from achieving your goals. The best way to win against all odds is by staying focused on completing the progress by using those roadblocks as leverage to keep moving forward. If you can imagine it you can also execute it. Read more>>
J Nauti
I began my journey as a music producer by experimenting with FL Studio and a bunch of virtual instruments. Over time, I honed my skills by producing hip hop and pop songs using samples. Major influences for me at the time were Timbaland and Pharrell. Read more>>
Little MS Cosplay
When people ask me how to get started with cosplay, I always tell them to try to learn one new skill with each cosplay they make. By pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, they will be able to expand their skills to where they are able to make almost all of their costumes by hand! Read more>>
Ryan R. Rathbun
What started my learning process was less of an output of performance, and more an input of stories. I was a big reader when I was growing up. I’d get distracted in class. I’d not pay attention to the lessons because I was reading. I was reading stuff that was a little bit out of the ordinary for my age, I picked up Merlin, I picked up Robinson Crusoe, and I was reading collections of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales. By ten I was reading nonfiction psychology books, and I think at that point I would look around me and realize that there was something about the human condition that not everybody understood, and I desperately wanted to understand it better than anyone else. For lack of a better term, I embarked on this journey of discovery of what it was like to be a person. In my early teens, I was living in Ecuador, studying theatre and improv, experiencing a major cultural shift, and I realized that my personal experience was not universal, so I sort of began to look outwards instead of looking inwards, and decided to keep training and observing the behaviors of others, and the ways people interact, and the ways people feel, and the different types of feeling that exist in the world. That’s still very much my goal. I’ve since studied a little bit of dance and a little bit of singing, but what I realize is to be an actor is to be able to reach those different points of truth that speak to who people really are, and to be a vessel for a story, and to be the best vessel that I can be. This is why when asked about my process I never have a set process, I may pull from a certain theatre technique, or I may pull from something more instinctive. It’s always kind of conditional on what the work is. So I think that’s my main dedication. Dedication to the work. Read more>>
Penny Schuur
Lots and Lots of Practice. I first started taking photos with a 35mm film camera when I was a young girl, knowing nothing about the art of photography. I actually just did point and click for years taking thousands of basic photos with no attention to detail, composition or lighting. In high school thru my early 30’s I used digital cameras but still did the same, point and click. It wasn’t until 2017 after my first daughter was born that I bought my first DSLR camera, a Rebel T6, and actually started to learn how to take photos in Manual Mode, follow the Rule of Thirds, the Exposure Triangle, Depth of Field, etc. How to take more than just a simple point and click photo. I upgraded to the Canon Mirrorless System and bought an R6 in December 2020 which opened up a whole new world of options that I didn’t even know I was missing. Seriously… that camera is Amazing! I also learned the importance of shooting in RAW and how much you can transform a photo in post when you shoot in RAW. I really wish I had taken Photography as an Elective in High School but I was involved in several other extra curricular activities such as the Dance Team, Debate Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Senior Women as well as working a part time job so I didn’t actually have time… but if I could go back, I would totally take that class. I watch lots of videos and try to learn as much as possible for now and hopefully I will get to take some classes in the future to learn even more. I mean the options are limitless it seems when it comes to art and photography, and I love to capture the beauty all around me and make them into my own works of art. Read more>>
Heye Yella
I just listened to a lot of music and learned from the experience, I grew accustomed to that feeling of being a fan first until my perspective went from “outside looking in” to more of me seeing the world out of my own lens. That got me hooked. What helped me improve was keeping an open mind and trusting myself through the process which is essential. I believe the only obstacles we ever face are those we place upon ourselves. Meaning (as a perfectionist) I get in my own way roughly 90% of the time for absolutely no reason at all and my biggest gripe is a tendency to overthink. Usually in a session or if I’m writing, once I’ve eliminated that I’m cool and the rest is sails up. I’m still learning how to become a better writer every day and the only way I can excel is to continue the practice and execute ideas. Knowing what I know now, just makes it that much easier to manifest them. Read more>>
Jada Lanai
Each craft had a different challenge that I had to understand. With acting, it was to be a little more free and not be incredibly serious that I miss the story or that I don’t connect with my character. I have to just breathe make it believable for myself and then it works out for the audience to believe the story and the arc that I’m (my character is) living in. With writing I had to learn to make sure my story is lining up correctly that my readers aren’t confused with what is happening or miss the story or poem completely because I didn’t match it well. Lastly with modeling I just needed to be more confident within myself being in front of the camera and I had to learn to not be awkward with myself. It is still all a learning process to this day, being more open and free with everything. Read more>>
Dave Weisberg
Still learning. Learning the new, refining the familiar and hopefully continuing to experiment with techniques and tools unfamiliar or previously intimidating. As a kid I enjoyed drawing, crafts, playing with clay and overall just making a mess, but working with my hands and creating something from almost nothing was always a favorite way to spend my time. Receiving a Bachelor of Fine Art degree with a drawing concentration was almost an obvious step for me as I couldn’t envision myself. studying much else. I used that time in school to also explore different media and began painting large acrylic abstract pieces as well as wildly intricate pen & ink drawings. Shortly after, I sold my first piece in a gallery. A satisfying experience without question but also a defining moment that helped discourage the doubt that so many artists experience. Read more>>
Rose Sinister
I’ve always been a reader; one of those precocious children who started picking up chapter books before they hit elementary school; the kind of kid who was reading at a high school level by the third grade. But decades of being a reader isn’t what thought me how to be a writer. Read more>>