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.

Natalie Hanrion

I began sewing and crafting for as long as I can remember. My grandma used to sew and taught my mother, who in turn taught me. Early on, it was crocheting and needlepoint, and then I remember using my mom’s sewing machine to try making pillows and doll clothes. I didn’t like following patterns and instead liked creating my own designs. In high school, I really enjoyed sewing classes in the home economics offerings and the person who influenced me the most was a sewing teacher who had formerly worked in a blue jeans factory. She taught us how to thread and use sergers and even how to make our own patterns. Read more>>

Queen Bassey

I first learned my craft by fixing my mind on wanting to learn! I started by watching different outlets and practicing different ways to go about new techniques on myself and others. I think to speed up the process I probably would’ve reached out to those in my craft as well just to gain better understanding and knowledge. It’s always helpful to have hands on expertise. In my experience the skills that are the most essential are being able to connect with your audience and clients and also being open to new perspectives. In this field there are a lot of obstacles and opportunities but one obstacle that in a way hindered me coming up was juggling school , work, and regular daily life. Read more>>

Jacqueline Amira

I’m actually still learning my craft today. I got started on the modeling side of things when I decided to lose weight and take better care of myself. Back in 2020 I was severely overweight and I didn’t really do much or leave my home except when it was necessary. I learned about certain fitness federations like the GBO and the WBFF that have transformation divisions. I got connected with a coach and everything basically took off from there. For cosplay, I’m still relatively new at it. My boyfriend has been teaching me a lot as he has been a professional cosplayer for the last 20 years. The acting and MC those opportunities presented themselves at random and I jumped right into the deep end without looking back. Word of mouth advertising started to spread regarding my talent and professionalism which ended up opening more doors for me. Read more>>

Margo Moore

Learning to create art is not something that can be taught through a single course or program. In fact, I don’t consider myself to have fully “learned” art yet—it’s an ongoing journey, one that evolves daily. It’s a lifelong pursuit, a practice. That said, I was fortunate to have had supportive parents who nurtured my interest in the arts, and I also had the privilege of attending an arts-focused high school and college. I also chose friends and partners who were arts-minded and that has shaped my learning a lot. Read more>>

Hsuan Yu Pan

From dreaming of being a cartoonist as a kid to ending up with a business degree that didn’t quite feel like me, and finally finding my way back to the creative world as a filmmaker, it’s been a journey of persistence and trusting my gut. After graduating college in Taiwan, I was lucky to come to the U.S. to study something I truly loved. At the University of Baltimore, where I majored in Publications Design, I also got to take classes at the Maryland Institute College of Art. That’s where I took my first documentary course and fell in love with independent films, especially through the screenings at the Charles Theater in the neighborhood. That’s how I first got introduced to the world of indie filmmaking. Read more>>

Linda Evans

I have been self taught and learned a lot through trail and error. For example, what materials to buy and differences in wire size and bead size and different tools needed. I think taking a beading course may have helped with the above issue. I think I would also benefit from a tools or a wire working class. Most of my obstacles were either financial or conflict between work schedules and education classes. One of the issues is there are not many classes offered in jewelry crafting. You have basic classes on how to make earrings or a simple strung necklace but not lot of other classes unless you want to pay 50 or 50 dollars for crystal bead class. Many jewelry classes I see are often metal working classes for making engagement rings or fused pendants. These classes are expensive but popular. I have to tell people I don’t manufacture silver rings or have a kiln for fusing pendants. On a side note, I absolutely love buying glass beads and pendants from other artists to incorporate into my own work though. Read more>>

Kirsten Walker

When I was in first grade, I remember going to the Art closet in my elementary school with the (traveling) Art teacher and seeing shelf upon shelf of art materials. I knew right then I wanted to be an Art teacher. I still remember the smell, it was a mix of crayon, modeling clay and the wintergreen smell of white paste. Each year I learned more and more about art with the help of amazing Art teachers in my public school system. I remember getting my first easel one Christmas when I was 8 years old, the kind with the roll of paper attached and a row of tempera paints in plastic pots. Sadly, my mother never saved those first masterpieces. Read more>>

Joe Mele

Starting a podcast is not something new or original. There are hundreds of thousands of podcasts that have been started over the past many years, and there are lots of “how to” videos and websites out there. While the technical aspects of starting a podcast are relatively easy to figure out – get some equipment, find some editing software, get a hosting service, submit your podcast to directories – the harder part is getting into a groove that resonates with you and your audience. We started the podcast with some ideas of what we wanted to cover and who would want to listen, but over the course of the first 6-12 months, we learned a ton about how to make the podcast work for us. Read more>>

Giovanny Benavente

For me acting began my first year at college. I had always wanted to take theater in high school, but I was told I wouldn’t have time for it because I was on the wrestling team. When I started attending East Los Angeles College(ELAC), I took one theater class and was instantly hooked. I found the most essential skill to develop is believing in yourself, I know that may not seem like a skill, but when you’re trying to achieve your own goals, people tend to forget how much they get in their own way. It’s such a vital part of the learning process because you’re allowing yourself to be given the growth opportunity. Looking back now I realize just how much I kept myself stagnant, because I didn’t trust in my own capability. Read more>>

Fausto Duantos

I’ve always been interested in music, and a little later, I became interested in technology. My father, who is a vinyl record collector, has always been a music lover and he influenced me a lot. I started playing drums for the church choir, and some time later, I began studying drumming with the goal of working professionally in music. Around 2008/2009, my uncle, who is a music producer, worked at a nationally recognized FM radio station, and I would always go to the studio to watch them working. Read more>>

Kyla Metzker

Although I went to Cosmetology school to do hair, I didn’t learn makeup there. I fell into working on set when I was 19 and have had so many wonderful mentors over the years who have taught me a great deal. Where I have learned the most, however, is by making mistakes. In retrospect, going to makeup school or working at a makeup counter would have helped me develop my skills much faster, but when I was young I was so scared. That fear of failure has proved to be a big obstacle for me to overcome. Read more>>

Rob Lewis

I’m the co-founder and Creative Director of a Denver based Advertising agency called Good Conduct. The goal of our agency is to make world class creative in the field of advertising and design. But starting out I didn’t know what world class creative was. As a kid that went to art school, advertising wasn’t on my radar. It was something I fell into, and it became a slow burn for me to understand what it was and how to be good at it. For me, I learned from experience. I was lucky enough to get a lot of different experiences over the years; From spending two years cutting post produced car commercials, to my first big film shoot, working on my first conceptual campaign, a couple of years at a b2b agency, to finally landing at a shop that was doing great work and having to live up to their expectations. It took me the better part of 10 years to really understand the type of work I wanted to make, and how to do it. There are certain benefits to taking a decade to figure things out, but it doesn’t have to take that long. Read more>>

Sharief Johnson

I learned to do what I do through many of trials but, many..many..many….many more errors. The craft of standup/ Acting there is no way to learn other than repetition. You can hang around and understand the concept of standup comedy or acting however, the craft is taught through experience. Knowing what I know now ,having a respected mentor can be super essential! Proper guidance will never go out of style. Knowing what I know now, I also could have hit NYC comedy Scene a lot harder when I first started and gained the experience a lot faster. NYC is the best training ground for a Standup comedian / Actor. It is the only place you can get up 4 times in one night easily as an unknown! Read more>>

Sireka

Learning how to make and edit meaningful content has been one of the most interesting but also challenging parts of learning the craft. It took many hours of watching youtube videos on editing, asking my fellow creators for advice/help, and ultimately, trial and error. Still, I wouldn’t want to speed up the process of learning, as the process itself, is a vehicle for expanding my knowledge, despite how arduous and tedious it might be. In addition to the technical and creative elements of creating content, there is a lot of emotional learning to be done, which can be just as difficult. With content creation, you have to learn to be okay putting yourself out there, with being vulnerable, with opening yourself to judgment, and with failure. Read more>>

Cyan Lin

I’ve always been passionate about art, so learning to do what I do now has been an ongoing process of growth. I’ve loved drawing since I was a kid, and I’m very grateful for my parents, who gave me more opportunities to learn. I still remember drawing a big butterfly as a child, with many smaller butterflies on its wings. To complete this piece, my dad gave me a collection of butterfly specimens as a gift. Later, this painting won a gold prize. With my parents’ support, I participated in more art classes, where I learned sketching, watercolor and gouache. During this time, I practiced drawing a lot every day, which laid a solid foundation for me. During my undergraduate studies, I chose printmaking and learned the techniques of printmaking. Read more>>

Kari Barajas

I am pretty much self-taught, learning through hands-on experience, and trial and error. Platforms like Canva, KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), and online tutorials were invaluable. I also spent time observing trends in digital art, self-publishing, and social media to understand what resonates with audiences. Being naturally curious and resourceful, I explored design tools and marketing strategies to enhance my work and my brand, “KaribelleKulture.”Additionally, leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT helped me streamline the creative process, from brainstorming ideas to refining my projects. Read more>>

Travis Lohmann

I first started composing music in my early college years, informally- through FL Studio 6. Prior to starting my composing journey, my musical education consisted of classical piano training from age 4-17. While being steeped in formal music education at a young age had immense benefits- in terms of instrument proficiency, I feel that what could have helped speed up the process more (composing-wise), was actually spending time when I was younger, attempting to get all the sounds in my head- out in some tangible form. I do feel that being proficient in piano definitely helped with the speed of composing, though- lack of formal training for composition at the time, also meant – I was merely throwing ideas on the wall, and seeing what would stick. Not exactly the most productive of ways to work. Read more>>

Gregor Purgaj

I guess creating has always been in me. Even as a child, I was very attracted and happy to create something with my bare hands … with what you have at hand. So the desire for more was natural. Probably from a young age, I have always associated the process of acquiring some knowledge or skill with the fact that you tackle things without fear that you might fail. You learn to be patient and thoughtful from mistakes. This means I don’t rush or push for more. To put it cliché I go with the flow, which has always led me somewhere. I think that I have this attitude towards it so that I can keep myself, and not lose my mind. At the end of the day, you realize that you are your own biggest obstacle. Read more>>

Zoe Bates

Out of all the questions that people ask me about my recreations and photos, the first one is the most frequently asked that many people often press me about—and it is usually the broadest question that I hear as I get asked about the wonders from how I edit my photos to how I find the exact pieces of clothing that match the original look that I pay homage to, to how I always seem to manage to get the right angle that ends up being the perfect shot for my version and to even how I start with doing the recreations that I have been doing. Read more>>

Tao Ho

There are a few questions I feel particularly connected to. I chose this one because ‘learning’ occupies a significant part of my artistic practice, in both ways. I am an introverted and willful person; maybe it’s just me, but I have learned almost everything I am interested in by myself—from photography to music, even skateboarding (although I’m not good at it at all). Learning from others and asking questions is definitely a good thing, much more effective and time-saving. But I tend to figure things out intuitively on my own. Read more>>

Brandi Walker

I am a self taught bead artist but have learned the pattern making and sewing aspects of the craft via college. I learned metalworking skills through a technical program taken in New York City at Studio Jewelers Ltd., and the subsequent work experience that followed. I don’t think I could’ve done anything to quicken the learning process, as I try not to question God’s timing in my life. Of course funding is an obstacle for any independent artist but I am no stranger to hard work and time management, balancing full time employment with pursuing my passions. Read more>>

Benjamin Wilson-scott

I’ve been in love with Songwriting since I was a child. A lot of Producers & Engineers gain their skills from a love of music & trying to find ways to record their writing better or work with friends. I always wanted to find ways to improve everything about my work so I started learning & continue to learn today. I went to University for a Music Degree which helped ground my skills but I found they elevated once I was touring and working with new artists every day. A lot of skills you learn when you need to overcome a problem and Music Production worked that way for me. Read more>>

Haley Vaughn

I am a bit of a late bloomer! I started drawing in 2020, so with that I would encourage everyone that it is never too late to start a new journey. I got an iPad and started scribbling in my free time after work. I took a few Domestika courses and watched tutorials from wonderful creatives like Ramona Wultschner and Erika Wiseman. I also started poking around different art programs and found the right one with the Savannah College of Art and Design. When starting something new, I think the biggest barrier to learning quickly (or even learning at all) is time. Trying to cram new skills into the small pockets of time we have in our schedules can be really difficult, especially if you don’t see immediate progress. As they say, growth is not linear, and I had to learn to keep pushing knowing that those efforts would pay off eventually (even if it didn’t happen according to my ideal timeline). Read more>>

Autumn Maria Reed

I’ve always had a passion for music, ever since I was a little girl! There was just something magical about those animated musicals, whether I was catching them in the theaters or on TV. My favorites were all the Disney movies in the 1990s and The Simpsons. In elementary school, took piano lessons and joined my school’s strings program, which was so much fun! I loved being able to play the theme songs from those shows. My strings teacher, Ms. McCarty, gave my class an assignment to compose a short song. That’s when I became hooked! From youth until now, I learned to play piano, recorder, violin, bass (upright and electric), cello, guitar, ukulele, percussion and dabbled extensively in soprano sax and drums dabbled moderately (but not proficiently) in flute and trumpet. Read more>>

Delia Dumont

I’ve learned through constant practice & incredible mentors. Much like Sylvia Plath’s fig tree, I have always felt like I could be and learn anything with consistency and guidance. Maybe that is why the fig that I’ve chosen has not one branch, but three (and who knows how many more will sprout out in the years to come): Directing, Photography & Producing. They’ve all come in their own time, but are complimenting each other beautifully in my life and work. Read more>>

Bella Betiato

My journey as a potter has been one of discovery and appreciation for the craft more so than a formal path. I felt the calling to work with clay, and due to its fluid artistic essence, I leaned into it with ease. From classes to online videos (thanks, YouTube) to developing a healthy obsession for the practice and studying pottery everywhere I go, it has become almost second nature to see ceramics and decipher the artist behind them. I believe a balance of practice and knowing when to step away and come back to the wheel in alignment is key to learning to work with mud. I’ve heard from teachers and active creators that practice is everything. While I agree it’s a big part, I have personally developed a respect and appreciation for the process that functions a bit like a dance—you step away and feel the urge to play, as opposed to adhering to a strict practice schedule. Read more>>

Lina Coy

I believe that my artistic skills come from my ability to observe. To learn how to be an observer and a wanderer is not an easy task. You have to retrain your eye and your mind in order to perceive the little details that make the difference. I’ve always been curious and observant but in art school they taught me how to create the connection between eye and hand: to be an observer with a purpose of a storyteller. When I first started I thought that to see something had the same meaning than to observe something. It doesn’t. When you’re an observer, you are trying to involve yourself into the subject, you’re empathetic with it. You try to comprehend why it looks the way it does. This applies to human beings, objects, places, anything you are actually perceiving and sensing, not just watching. Read more>>

Ashley Page

My love for singing began in elementary school, where I joined the choir for our two-day Christmas recital. I vividly remember blowing people’s minds with my solo of Kirk Franklin’s ‘Melodies from Heaven’ for 3rd grade chapel and being asked to perform for the High School Chapel the following week. My school also participated in annual state competitions, which led me to formal vocal training and daily lessons throughout middle school. These experiences became the foundation for my musical journey, which continued through school programs, church events, and family gatherings. Read more>>

Holly Larrabee

I learned how to bookstagram, basically by trial and error. Seven years ago, we were in the process of getting my dog, GusGus – and I knew I wanted to make him an instagram account because I was going to be super annoying with all the photos I took of him. I wanted to do it right though, I followed accounts like dougthepug and saw how creative his owner is, and I wanted to do that too. I started researching heavily, I read blog after blog as to what to do to make your name stand out, how many hashtags to use, and the best times to post, and how to find your voice – I had notebooks on notebooks of notes I took. Gus’s account was so fun for me, getting him to dress up, and making funny captions was a blast. But, about a year in, I saw that he didn’t like to take photos and it got harder to do – I did not want to force him, so that was that. Read more>>

Bryson Malone

I never learned photography, design, or art direction. I learned how to learn. The most important thing in any creative career is to learn how to learn. And even before this, we must start with humility, curiosity, and empathy. Learning starts with humility. If we admit that we don’t know anything, we remain open to learning everything. From this open place, curiosity leads us down paths that interest us. We each have unique life experiences, so honest curiosity will ensure that these 1-of-1 life experiences lead us down a unique path that offers the world a new way of thinking. Lastly, empathy keeps us connected to others, and allows us to see and feel the experiences of others, which we then digest in to our worldview, which in turn shapes our creative output. Read more>>

Sarah Zambrano

I realized that in order to stand out as a creator, I would have to make engaging content. Reels seem to get more views on social media platforms. I studied the ones that I enjoyed the most and realized that the ones that caught my eye incorporated a transition or visual effect. I started watching tutorials, downloaded editing apps, did endless experimenting, and now I figured out my “secret sauce” for mastering short form reels. An obstacle that always stands in the way for me is overthinking. To speed up the process, I would have told myself to keep it simple and just focus on one aspect of the reel and not go overboard.  Read more>>

Rocky Dixon

​ Raised on the border of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa in Southern California, Owner Rocky Dixon was ​intrigued and inspired at a very early age by his Creative and Crafty next door neighbors. “Growing up next door to the Walter and Virginia Johnson Family made a huge impression on me as early as the 2nd Grade” states Rocky. “Walter and his two sons, Mike and Roger were highly talented and were always involved in a project whether it was creating funiture, canoes, kayaks, surfboards or restoring Model-T Trucks. The gifted family exposed me to a World of Craftmanship that to this day still ranks at a level I’ve never seen matched”. These early impressions stuck with Rocky throughout his school days and lead him into the Yacht and Boat Building Industry that was so prevalent around the Newport Harbor area at the time. Read more>>

Dj Big Mobile

Music has always been a huge part of my life. As a teenager and throughout my college experience, I curated stacks of burnt CD playlists for every mood or album that was hot at the time. I’ve always considered myself a true music head. My first exposure to DJing came through an unexpected source—a former student of mine during the early years of my career working as a college administrator. They introduced me to the art of DJing, and I was hooked. I started learning the basics after that brief conversation. Then I started to teach myself the basics – bit by bit. Read more>>

Susanne Tabet

I began my journey as a self-taught artist in the solitude of my basement, dedicating 6-8 hours daily to painting for many years. My initial practice involved studying and copying the works of the great masters, a process that gradually evolved into the discovery of my own unique style. Social media and YouTube videos provided invaluable learning tools, while journaling, reading, and frequent visits to art galleries and museums enriched my understanding and inspiration. I believe consistency is the cornerstone of growth, and daily effort is essential. You don’t need a formal education to become an artist—find your voice, commit to your craft, and work hard. Read more>>

Liz Asch Greenhill

As a teenager, I witnessed the queer adult world in peril from the AIDS crisis. The virus was so horrific in the way it attacked peoples’ bodies. Mental-emotional suffering was also extreme, from the physiological suffering and also from alienation by family members, and stigma from society, and lack of support from the government. I watched from afar, as a kid who was quite isolated from it in suburban North Carolina, but was hoping, or, expecting, to join this community when I came of age. In eleventh grade, I started volunteering with a local non-profit focused on HIV education and support for people and families and I started a club at my high school to spread awareness. We were met with resistance from the administration and I didn’t let that stop me. Read more>>

Jason Buchholz

First, I learned by reading—finding authors I loved, and reading as much as I could, and trying to figure out why I loved their work, and how they did what they did. Once I decided I wanted to study the novel, I joined an MFA program (at the University of San Francisco) and spent two years reading, writing, and discussing literature with a cohort of brilliant teachers and classmates. Beyond that it was just lots of writing, followed by round after round editing, much of it informed by the feedback of some trusted readers. Read more>>

Jack Cobabe

Working in the arts takes training and a whole lot of hard work. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Performance from Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah. My training at Westminster was integral to my success as an artist today. The professors at Westminster are versatile professionals who are masters of their craft. They honed my skills as an actor, fostered my interest in directing, and encouraged me to work professionally. While at Westminster I acted in various professional shows with companies across the Salt Lake Valley. The classroom training along with the practical application in the rehearsal room gave me the confidence to emerge into the field as a confident professional. I believe in lifelong learning that reaches far beyond when we graduate from a program or wrap a project. It’s this growth mindset that allows me to continue to learn and grow with each project I am involved with. Read more>>

Elly G

I’m the type of person to try and everything all because of some interest. Somehow, I end up tying everything back to one hobby: cosplay. For reference, I crochet, draw, do makeup, and even animated at some point. All of these ended up being related because I draw to sketch out how I want a cosplay to look. I crochet not only to relieve stress, but also to now create my own cosplays. I did makeup at first because I was bored. Now I do it to aim for a certain aesthetic for a character I would like to portray. I think for all the hobbies I juggle, the most important skill is having a method down to organize. I’m still experimenting myself since I’m not the most organized. But I do use my art in a way to create a mood board of some sort. I take notes for everything I want to do. Read more>>

Nicole Ocampo

I attended Monmouth University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a focus on Public Relations and Journalism, and a minor in Media Productions. My time there provided me with a well-rounded education and exposed me to diverse career paths. During my sophomore year, I was elected Vice President of Communication for Alpha Omicron Pi, which ignited my passion for marketing and social media. Since graduating, I’ve gained valuable experience through trial and error, and by staying informed about trends in marketing and social media from fellow professionals online. Looking back, I believe I could have accelerated my learning by connecting with other marketers and starting my business, Ocampo Socials, earlier in college. Read more>>

Cortlyn Plunk

I am an illustrator, and my primary medium is gouache. My journey with art began in childhood when I used anything I could get my hands on to sketch, build, and create. Reflecting on my growth, the question of “how could I have sped up the learning process”, my experiences have taught me that art is deeply personal and uniquely shaped by one’s life. For instance, I took ceramics for five years, where I sculpted whimsical creatures from wax and clay during elementary school. After school, I would sketch anything that caught my attention and eagerly attended extra art classes, both in and outside of school. Over time, my work was showcased in exhibitions and earned awards—experiences that further fueled my passion. Read more>>

Jae Young Kim

My journey into graphic and branding design has always been an exploration. Immersing myself in diverse experiences—from creating typefaces inspired by my cultural background to crafting new brand stories for mass audiences—has taught me to take bold steps and push creative boundaries. Each project presents challenges that refine my skills and deepen my understanding of design as both a craft and a language. While technical skills, like simplifying complex visions into iconic forms and building personality into visual identity, are crucial, storytelling and empathy have become the foundation of my work. These elements enable me to create designs that resonate on a human level. Embracing the unknown and trusting the process have shaped my creative vision, helping me find my voice in design, and curiosity and experimentation continue to guide my path. Read more>>

Meghan Sours

My art education has been scattered through the years, but I don’t think there was anything I could have done to speed up the process, especially when access to information online was not what it is today. Right out of high school, I thought the only option to learn art was to follow a BFA program. Art school was a tremendous amount of work, but I graduated dissatisfied. How was it possible that after four years of training, I still felt like I didn’t know how to draw or paint? Why were artists like Bouguereau or Bastien-Lepage, the old masters I greatly admired, snubbed in place of postmodernist self-expression? Read more>>

Aurielle Bryan

While I did learn a lot of the technical aspect of filmmaking from my college professors, I wouldn’t say that that is the only place that I learned how to do what I do. My journey in the arts really started when I was young. I heavily involved in the performing arts; singing, dancing, acting, writing plays… I consider myself to be really blessed. since I had teachers of the craft who had professional experience. Those teachers really looked out for me and made sire that I was able to sharpen my abilities; they pushed me to do my best and really tried to put me in front of amazing opportunities. However, none of those opportunities would matter if I didn’t learn how to be diligent in practicing, how to say “no” to things that would distract me, or if I didn’t become more comfortable with the possibility of failure. If I got lazy, or ignored any of those aspects of learning my craft, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Read more>>