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?

Jennifer Sumner

Media has always been a part of my life. I was already into Music Production when I was in my teens. I got my first exposure to Video Production in high school back in the 90s. I took a Video Productions/TV Broadcasting class as part of the Theater Arts curriculum. After high school, over the next few years, I focused mostly on Music Production and Music Videos. I have also had the opportunity to work on internal corporate media projects. Read more>>

Lauren Crowe

I was first introduced to relief printmaking while studying graphic design at Appalachian State University. I only took one printmaking class but it was immensely valuable to my creative journey. I graduated with my BFA in graphic design in 2016 and worked as a full-time graphic designer for a humanitarian aid non-profit organization for five years while also practicing printmaking from my home studio. Read more>>

Valeska Populoh

I attended art school and hold a degree in fine arts, yet learned so much about my craft in a different kind of school – my extended puppetry and parade community. Seeing my interest in political activism, environmental issues and performance, a college professors encouraged me to apprentice with Bread and Puppet Theater in Vermont. I was accepted to the apprenticeship program in 2005 and spent five weeks working with this renowned political puppetry and theater company, Read more>>

Cynthia Ferngren

I have a profound passion for brand strategy and storytelling. It seems that storytelling has been an innate part of me throughout my entire life. I still remember the exhilaration I felt when my first published story, “Beaver in the Bathtub,” appeared in my grammar school paper. From that moment, I became captivated by the ability to craft narratives that evoke emotions in people. Being a great storyteller feels like a natural gift I was born with. Read more>>

Johnny Baca

Learning the craft of Film Directing. The question I get the most, did you go to film school? No. I learned on the job and in my transition from in front of the camera to behind. Coming from an actor’s background, I am able to communicate with actors because I’ve been in their shoes. I understand the struggles, the heartache, the prep work, the nerves, I get it all. Read more>>

Glenda Mitchell

Photography started as a way to decompress. The medium was a way I used to connect with myself and others. My knowledge has been mostly through trial, error and listening to the universe. She stay looking out! When I first started out I thought I was “behind”. I thought I needed a traditional school education or a degree to obtain clients and build credibility. Read more>>

Sheena Binkley

When I started writing almost ten years ago, I didn’t know where to start. Writing was a hobby of mine, so the other thing I wanted to do was write, but I didn’t know about the different elements associated with being a writer. From editing to promoting, there are a lot of factors to being an author. Just because you can write a story doesn’t mean anything if you don’t showcase it to your audience; Read more>>

Edith Diaz

When I started to learn night photography, I was worried about what others would think about my work. Opening up to the world, being vulnerable is a very scary place. I would see images online of amazing night photographers and I just wanted my art to be like theirs. Read more>>

Rob Lewine

I took my first picture at age five, of my father, using his camera — an experience that, started me picture-taking throughout my childhood and into my college years. I wasn’t thinking about becoming a photographer or anything else; I was on autopilot. Read more>>

Thrash Hard City

We have all been playing music for many years. Playing in different projects since we were in high school. Putting all the experience gathered over the years together and creative juice from our collective influence made sense for us. Basically self taught, outside of individual lessons on our instruments or vocals. We are still learning everyday how to run the band as a business and not just a hobby. Read more>>

Bonnie Keith

I learned my Craft by DOING. As I was pursuing my professional acting career when I first moved from New York to Los Angeles, producers & casting directors asked me, “Do you have any film on yourself”? Basically, they wanted to see my charisma and my previous work in TV & Films BUT I had never done any TV or film work, only theatrical work back East and Touring. Read more>>

Sara Gonzalez

First of all, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share some of my journey! While no man (or woman) is an island, I am mostly self-taught both as an artist as well as an entrepreneur. However, I owe my grandmother the credit of teaching me the basics of sewing at an early age, and my mother the credit of instilling in me the basics of managing finances. Read more>>

Kassandra Comas

It takes a lot of patience. Especially being the type of person who can’t stick to just one craft. I learned how to work around Photoshop when creating small business designs for myself and other crafters. I’m still learning Procreate to draw my stickers, decals, and positive quotes of the day. I know there’s lots of features I haven’t figured out yet. I learned to crochet, had to figure out how to print stickers, navigate my Cricut program to cut decals. Read more>>

Tommy Khuong

When I first start with photography, I had no idea about functions such as shooting in manual or editing with programs such as Lightroom or photoshop. Some of my earlier work, when I first created my photography account, I would use iPhone apps to edit my pictures. It wasn’t until I linked up with a friend of mine who also does photography taught me the basics such as shooting in RAW, aperture, ISO, and other features as well. Read more>>

Yusuf Gray

The process for becoming stand-up comedian is similar to learning how to box. It’ takes a while to become seasoned in any field but stand-up comedy is literally “in your face” as soon as you touch the microphone. There is really nothing I feel I could’ve done to speed up the learning process. Every step was a step towards becoming better good or bad. Read more>>

Jen Leddy Barnes

I was first introduced to metalsmithing while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I was hooked immediately, which led to me chasing learning opportunities in three ways – classes, self-training and the experience of building my business itself. I pursued jewelry via an internship while also starting to produce my own work and selling it. I spent several of the early years without instruction where I used the skills I had, Read more>>

Zak Miskry

Teaching myself to create this kind of art has been an ever evolving process that I’m still building on today. When I first started making sculptures I had a very limited selection of scrap metal and electronic components to work with, joining them together with superglue and a whatever I could find in my dads toolbox. Now I use a micro pulse arc welder, and equipment like mitre saws, pillar drills, belt sanders, and more to modify parts as I need. Read more>>

Claire Lin

I am currently pursuing an M.F.A. degree at Savannah College of Art and Design, where I learned to master my skills in the motion design field. I don’t think there is such a thing as actually speeding up the learning process but persistently practicing what you’re passionate about in motion graphics could help you become a better motion designer. The most essential thing to me is to trust the process, keep practicing until you’re satisfied (which might not ever happen, Read more>>

Miss Storm

“Being an Artist is a gift most creatives dont ask for it’s as natural to me as breathing but mastering the craft of being a successful creative is a skill that takes time effort and dedication. “I am a student of life. I believe you should never stop learning” The entertainment industry is a forever changing business and educating myself on the aspects that impact my ability to monetize is always priority. Read more>>

Praboo Arivananthan

Sharing a personal story can be intimidating, but it can also be gratifying. By opening up and sharing our experiences, we can connect with others on a deeper level and inspire them to do the same. It takes courage to be vulnerable, but it’s worth it when we see its positive impact on those around us. So don’t be afraid to share your story – you never know who you might be helping. Editing was one of the very first few things I learned about filmmaking. Read more>>

Jennifer Arnold

I had no prior photography experience when I was assigned the role of a Public Affairs Officer in the Army. I taught myself through videos during COVID, and the best experience I gained was by doing. Over a whole calendar year, I captured thousands of images (good and bad) of various military events. I picked up some skills along the way and eventually learned how to create content for social media and had images published online. Read more>>

Alyson Aliano

I went to the School of Visual Arts, NYC and got a BFA in Photography and Fine Art. While in school, I was interning to learn commercial photography and interning at a magazine. I came up in a time before You Tube and Masterclass, so I really had to focus on learning as much as i could in every day life. If i didnt know specific equipment, I went to a photo rental house and learned how to use it. Read more>>

Tenaya Martinez

I remember my mom loving photography so i grew up watching her take all of our family photos, prom pictures, graduation pictures etc, so I always kind of had an interest in photography, but I never imagined myself becoming a videographer, but Im glad I did. It all started with trying to record a simple music video for my Husband Samuel Hernandez A.K.A (Grap3z). Looking back it’s pretty cringy to watch, but I am thankful for all of my failures because without failure theres no room to learn and grow. Read more>>

Daleshareé Lee

For the most part, I’m pretty much self taught, but I grew up watching my mom sing in church and around the house all the time. That’s how music became a big part of my life, it started from her. My mom put me in the kids choir at church and that’s where I began singing at the age of 4. Once I got older, I joined my school’s choir and began learning more in-depth about music and singing. I’m grateful because it’s gotten me this far. In a way, it kind of molded me, both vocally and as an artist. Read more>>

India Corley

Ever since I was a kid, I’d taken up a vast interest in creating things. Whether through video and photo editing, playing around with harmonies on GarageBand, writing songs in my closet or painting and drawing. I’ve always had a very keen knowledge of what was appeasing to the senses. Deep harmonies in songs from “back in the day” always left me with goosebumps and a feeling of euphoria. Read more>>

Nikki Lowe

Learning the craft of voice over has many layers and moving parts. Not just with the technical aspect of performing but with the emotional and psychological. First up: Practice vulnerability. You need to be secure in who you are enough to allow yourself be become vulnerable and put your work into the universe with having no control over the outcome. Read more>>

Lise Farah Uzodinma

Most people think in words. I think in pictures and colors. I am creative, a poet and story teller. I am always looking for new ways to tell a story or finding creative ways to share a new perspective to others. So, combining my background in psychology and my creative nature, I began finding creative outlets and desiring to help others tell their stories in creative ways. I started off with learning how to design websites on WordPress. Read more>>

Jose Peña

I’ve been filmmaking many years prior but, i feel i truly learned what it was all about after moving to L.A. It was my first week out from New York and i was crashing on a friends couch searching hard for work on craigslist when i came across an obscure ad that read “Need assistant for art gallery, great networking opportunity”. Read more>>

Dawn Nicole Warnaar

I was in school for my MBA and working full-time as a Human Resources Manager at a Hospitality group in Charleston, South Carolina, when I met my now husband. Long story short, he’s in the Air Force, and getting married meant we’d be moving every one-to-three years. Many military spouses don’t work for this reason, so I’d either have to accept that or figure out a more mobile career. Read more>>

Gina Dodge

Being curious, trying new things, and showing up has opened every door for me. My skills and talents are all stems from curiosity, troubleshooting, and trying again. My craft will never be mastered because there is always something new to learn. Read more>>