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.

Mariel Gibson

The truth is I am still learning the best way to do my job. As Product Director, technology is always changing and so are the trends. Read more>>

Derek Yu

I learned to use different art mediums and software through self-teaching using online resources. In this modern age with the internet and advanced technology, we can learn anything we want with the click of a button. Read more>>

Matthew Buggs

When it came to learning the art of being a DJ, I tell people that my first job was the ever was the building block of for everything I am today. Read more>>

Aubrey Westlund

Learning stock photography took a lot of trial and error for me. There were not a lot of resources available when I began. There were a few outdated videos on YouTube and dozens of forums with people claiming “Stock Photography is dead. Read more>>

Sarina De Viso

Perfecting the craft is an on going journey unto itself. . Every experience we have in life contributes to the arsenal we have available to use on camera… the good and the bad. Read more>>

Clove Ellis

Learning to make faux fur animal ear headbands became a therapeutic outlet amidst the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more>>

Annamarie Garcia

I first became interested in painting, specifically paint pouring during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when we were stuck working from home. Read more>>

EJ Hassenfratz

Learning the craft of 3D and animation can be daunting in the day and age of AI. I have artists writing to me all the time doubting if it’s even worth the effort to learn 3D when AI could easily do the craft someday. Read more>>

Taylor Painter-Wolfe

I work primarily with felted wool. I learned how make and dye felted wool about 23 years ago when I was in the fiber department at the Kansas City Art Institute, I immediately felt like it called to me in a way other material and processes hadn’t up to that point. Read more>>

Kimani Bradley

I started out as a background extra. I’m more of a look-and-learn learner, I worked as a background extra at least 5 times before I booked my first speaking role. Read more>>

Marypat Wager

As a child, I was always making things with whatever I could find outside in nature. As a emerging young artist, I thought painting was the medium for me. Read more>>

Daughter

I’ve heard it said that the music industry is one of the most difficult fields to be successful more times than I can count, throughout my years performing. Read more>>

Quinn Mason

My journey in music started at age 10 in public school Two things happened that put me on the trajectory: first, I saw my first live classical music concert. Read more>>

Felix and Ian Imhoff and Scholz

We learned the craft through slamming our head into a wall over and over again, In all actuality we had many friends contribute to helping us learn as well as many, many, many hours spent practicing and watching a plethora of Youtube videos on how to DJ and produce. Read more>>

Erik Stucky

Well, it’s a long story, and it is still being written. A broad theme in my life has been that the things I really wanted have never been all that accessible. Read more>>

Jessica Harms

I discovered my passion for floral design through a diverse array of art courses during my time at Sacramento Waldorf School. Read more>>

Warren Thacker

As an adult, I have tried to maintain an environment for growth in all aspects of my life. I love learning new skills, challenging myself, and expressing myself creatively. Read more>>

Adam Mansfield

My love of being on set started when I was a child. My uncle is a commercial photographer, and I spent a lot of time with him on shoots, both in the studio and in the field. Read more>>

Becky Bartlett

Once I decided to pursue acting for film professionally, I sought out in-person classes and looked up tutorials on YouTube on a daily basis. Read more>>

Justin Hartley

While embarking on this journey, I have learned so much. It started in my home. Watching my grandmothers and mom cook these elaborate dishes that would bring smiles to so many people’s faces was it for me. Read more>>

Lupe Chihuahua

Being in the Hair industry has shown me a lot when it came to learning my craft. I learned to do what I do because of the ongoing education classes I can be a part of taking and meeting wonderful people within the industry hearing their stories. Read more>>

Cassandra “Cass” Dodson

– There’s a saying “I get it from my mama”: well, my truth is I get it from my grandmama. My grandmother, Savannah Toliver, was a natural show woman who was called to speak at her job, and host/emcee various church programs. Read more>>

Kaan Avci

My journey into photography and videography was deeply influenced by my brother, who shared our father’s love for capturing moments through the lens. Read more>>

Sevag Chahinian

When people usually talk about learning their craft, it often starts at the beginning. For me, it began with experimentation and fun at an early age, which then turned into a career. Read more>>

Teri Bocko

Transitioning from acting to wedding photography was a whirlwind journey of self-discovery and adaptation. When I was pursuing acting I was constantly looking for side hustles to help sustain and support myself. Read more>>

Zena Dell Lowe

There’s nothing worse than trying to give feedback to someone who is defensive. The best artists are the ones who are open to learning, who don’t have a chip on their shoulder, who seek to listen and understand, rather than defend and explain. Read more>>

Ben Price

My entry into the world of magic kicked off like most other magicians. Small magic kits and library books were my training grounds, the essentials for every budding magician. Read more>>

Sheridan Cudworth

I earned my BFA in Sculpture from Maine College of Art in 2011. While at MECA, I focused primarily on performance art while performing at events within the local LGBTQ+ club culture. Read more>>

Ben Jennings

I’ve always been interested in stand up comedy and what makes something “funny”. Turns out, it’s very subjective and something that is funny in one show, doesn’t mean it’s funny the next. Read more>>

Larry Cool Jr

Just being a sponge & soaking up everything I could from my fellow peers in this field & transformed the basics I learned into my own sound. Read more>>

Christopher Thompson

I’ve always been a very observant person. Being the youngest of 5 I grew up imitating my Parents and siblings, picking and choosing what I wanted for my own style. I applied the same formula for my music. Read more>>

Amy Hart Nguyễn

When I was taking a Scene Study class, I was feeling so lost even after I had graduated from an acting conservatory. It felt like I was back at square one and couldn’t do anything right. Read more>>