Often there is no book or course to learn how to do what you want to do – so how artists and creatives overcome such challenges? How have some of the most talented artists and creatives in the community managed to learn their craft?
Jalen Askins

Well it all pretty much started from my childhood because growing up I was exposed to a lot of media especially in the animation space. From Animaniacs, Avatar the Last Airbender, Chowder, Ducktales, Scooby- Doo you name it. So naturally as time went on I started off with impressions of characters, and then moved on to taking voice acting courses while finding my voice, which as a voice actor is sort of difficult at times just because since we do so many other voices, we neglect our natural voice which most of the time helps and books work. Read more>>
Ashley Campbell Birnbaum

In order to be successful at events, there is an undefinable quality you must have. It might be akin to socially intelligence, but its more complex than that. While my traditional education taught me to communicate effectively and clearly, everything I have learned thus far in my career has been through pure experience and being thrown into the deep end to see if I can swim. There are a lot of resources and “certifications” out there, but I’ve never hired someone because they had those things. Read more>>
Julie Chapman

As a pianist/composer engaged in promoting music in the digital arena, there have been a multitude of tasks to learn, absorb, and execute. All the while, success as a musician hinges on remaining disciplined in the continued mastery of your craft by setting adequate time for rehearsal. This balance of time is key for continued musical growth, performance aptitude, and overall success in the market. Read more>>
Nteranya Sanginga

As a Congolese, dancing and music is a big a part of many of the communities I grew up in and especially when socialising. As a kid, if there were two or more families together, someone would start to play music and dancing would soon follow. I think I would I have had two left feet if not for my older brother Neil who I looked up to and because he as young teenager used to know all the dances to Ndombolo, Rumba, and Dancehall songs, I basically did my best imitation of him and that’s how dancing came about. Read more>>
J.B. Yaskovich

Everything I know has come from doing it, doing it wrong, or discovering alternate ways of doing it. And that’s for everything–especially filming, editing, and constructing sets, props, and D.I.Y. equipment needed for the shoot. I have found you can study as much as you want, you can watch movies or how-to’s or what have you, but because every situation is unique–even if it’s slightly different–you’re always going to get a different outcome. Read more>>
Molly McCracken

Although I have never gone to “Art” school, I don’t consider myself a self-taught artist. Beginning at an early age I had a wonderful supportive family who taught me the importance of using my hands to make things. Not only make things, but observe. My grandmother was a geologist and taught me to look closely and really see things in nature, like agates on the shore of Lake Superior. Read more>>
Erin McAllister

It’s hard to believe I have been working in textiles for 21 years. Becoming an expert in the field takes a really long time. It is ever evolving and I continue to learn every day. This is something I am incredibly grateful for as it continues to inspire me and I love what I do. Read more>>
Jess Smart Smiley

How wonderful is it that there is no end to learning one’s craft? I love it! I’ve written and drawn since I could hold a pencil and I almost always get a “return” for the effort I put into these activities. As a child, I imitated the drawing styles of Quentin Blake, Jeff Smith, and Todd McFarlane, as well as a variety of fantasy artists, video game art, and cartoons I watched. Read more>>
Aerica Raven

I grew up drawing my own stories. I remember pausing my favorite movies or letting a video game sit on the pause screen for hours just so I could replicate the characters. Those hours of observation are what taught me anatomy, form, color, and expression. I think obsessing over that kind of media also formed my love for figures, both human and otherwise. Read more>>
Dirk Hooper

As an artist, I’m mostly self-taught. I’ve taken some classes in high school and college, but they were not where I learned the most. What I’ve discovered, in art, writing, and other skills, is that you learn the fastest by doing finished work, then looking at what you’ve created, taking an honest evaluation of what worked and what didn’t, and then taking those lessons with you into more finished work. Read more>>
Melissa Enriquez

I think learning the craft is multifaceted. Everyone has different ways of absorbing information and creating their own paths that work for them. For me, I went to school for art with an emphasis on graphic design. I then interned at a skateboard company to learn different aspects of product design. I grew to be very fond of the relationship between artwork and product and worked for several apparel companies at different experience levels. Read more>>
A13mando

Success is a goal only a few have in mind when making music, however it’s imperative to learn the craft from every possible angle to assist you in your career. Maybe back in the day, you could just do music and that’s it however now we live in an Era where an independent artist can and must be their own: ▪︎booking agent Read more>>
Trey Branch

It’s kinda crazy how I started. I always wanted to be in front of the camera, but I have to give credit to my fellow creatives Justin, Ross, Vinh, and Diego. Every time I saw them hold a camera I thought it was so interesting. The content they would make was so incredible that I quickly fell in love with the art. Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? Read more>>
Tay Ashcraft

I taught myself how to make candles actually with just lots of trial and error. I had looked up a few blogs that gave some super beginner tips but after that it was all self taught. At the time of teaching myself how to make candles, I was also dividing my creative energy towards many other outlets that I was also creating. It would have definitely sped up my learning process if I had focused solely making candles. The skill that I think has been most crucial is being patient. Candles can turn out awful if you try to rush the process. Read more>>
Akida & Tisha Gray

We actually are self-taught. We never thought we would be hosting a TV show about marriage. We definitely have to say it was on-the-job learning. Tisha started out podcasting and Akida’s previous experience as an indie artist really helped prepare us as hosts. Tisha was able to pull from her interviewing skills and Akida’s creative eye and the work he has done editing our youtube videos proved extremely beneficial. Our ability to create a chemistry that resonates on camera has come from us being married and enjoying what we do. Read more>>
Liz Steiner

When I was young, I taught myself a lot our of books and magazines. I started out making beaded jewelry because that was what I had some access to. This was early early internet days, and pre-YouTube. It was faster to look in a book than online. Then I pursued an art degree in college, majoring in Jewelry/Metals and Enameling at Kent State University. I had no idea what I was getting into, and I learned a ton! Read more>>
Damon Jackson Jamil Shelton

Comix said, our process has been trial and error. we just went for it. experience has made us an expert at perserverance. We have been thrown out of studios, ran into tech difficulties, and entire pandemic, you name it. But we have carried on. There is nothing I would change, except less downtime. Jamil said, I didn’t know where to look at first. Technology sped up the process more than before and through that I have learned and through experience. Read more>>
Samantha Webb

I began my journey as a storyteller when I was around 5 years old. My sister and I would spend most of our days as children exploring the woods and fields where we lived. That allowed us the freedom to use our imaginations to create stories that we would act out together with just ourselves as the characters, or our favorite Breyer horses and plastic trolls. Read more>>
Danielle Bullock

I’ve always done art, from before I can remember. I don’t think it was so much of me “learning the craft” as “learning what I love” in order to take my craft to the next level. I think the turning point in my journey as an artist was when I decided to trust what I love. I stopped listening to all those voices in my head that were telling me I shouldn’t draw what I wanted because the online community was already oversaturated with what I enjoyed. That it wasn’t “art” if it wasn’t philosophical, political, transcendental, or a struggle. Read more>>
Mary Porterfield

My early education in art began as a child when I would watch my mother paint. We lived in Germany when I was young because of my father’s air force career. My mother took art classes to help her overcome her homesickness for the Midwest. I would go with her to her painting classes and fell in love with art at that time. Although I always loved art, I never believed I could have a career with it. For that reason, I initially pursued a degree in occupational therapy, receiving my master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1993. Read more>>
Gloria Chow

I have always loved art. Ever since I was young, drawing, painting and looking at art were always part of day to day living. I did not have a formal art education until I went back to university after working a few years as a pharmacist. I obtained my BFA but did not receive the kind of technical skills I so hoped for. However, I did get to paint almost everyday and was immersed in the art environment. Read more>>
Taylor Trimble

I have always been curious and creative, although it wasn’t until January of 2017 when I was 19, that I decided to paint. I saw these huge paintings in a home and the need to create a painting engulfed me in one big rush. Having no idea what I was doing and having done zero research, I grabbed a drop cloth, house paint, and brushes and completed a 9’x 10′ foot painting of a woman walking a giraffe. Read more>>
Camille Campbell

My journey with writing started with me jotting down magical stories in a journal. Not much has changed! I love opening a journal and letting my imagination carry me away to unexpected places. Once I come up with the premise, I enjoy fleshing out characters, coming up with new worlds, and crafting the plot of the book. Read more>>
C.J Rued

They way I learned how to tattoo was how you are supposed too in the tattooing industry. I went out an got myself an apprenticeship. Wasn’t an easy task by any means. I ended up bouncing around shops 3 to be exact. Knowing what I know now. I would of been a little picker about who I wanted to learn under, only because I spent a good amount of time learning what NOT TO DO. As far as speeding up the process that’s a tricky thing because this isn’t the kinda skill you want to do that with. Read more>>
Nathan Rhoads

I learned to paint back in college as an art major. As an art major, I had to take many different classes in regard to art making: figure drawing classes, sculpture classes, photography, art history, as well as painting. I graduated with a degree and a well rounded understanding of the art making process. My passion then was painting, in both watercolor and oil. Looking back, I could paint, but I don’t think I was very good. Read more>>
Gage Gerardi

I remember when my friend first told me to come to a convention with him in 2006 and said that I would stand out if I didn’t have a costume. I bought a grey rain coat from Good Will, some black fur, and threw together my first official cosplay – Kiba Inuzuka from Naruto. I didn’t even wear a wig then! Just pulled back my hair under the hood. I remember going to the convention, and feeling a sense that I was HOME. Read more>>
Ingrid Butterer

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is my ongoing EVERYDAY IS MOTHERS DAY PROJECT (ingridbutterer.com) started in 2019. This multi-disciplinary project represents the domestic violence I experienced while parenting two young children. Previous to Everyday is Mothers Day Project, I had no interest in making directly political or specifically feminist art work. However, my experience of abuse seized me in such a way that it became absolutely necessary to address it. Read more>>
Essie Faye Taylro

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is honestly, myself. I am a work in progress–I’m always under construction. As a believer and lifelong learner, this is my life’s motto. I am daily working to become the best version of myself. As a writer, this is also how I approach my work. My work, “Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love and Acceptance,” is an incredible work. Sometimes I look at it in disbelief. This work was born from my struggles and brokenness. Read more>>