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?

Mark Buchwald

In certain areas I really had no choice, I was basically born into music. Early on, the stage was my playground where I got to play around with all kinds of instruments, be on the road and learn the business. I navigated towards the drums mostly. I studied drumming both with teachers and privately with drum professionals. From there I just picked up other instruments on my own. I learned the recording process from my late Uncle and ultimately built my own recording studio in my house. I don’t see the learning process in terms of time or speed, but as a journey itself. I’ve been involved in many projects, many bands, worked with many musicians, some who have continued in music and some that have not. Read more>>

Mehdi Bennani

I first learned about Production Design and the importance of the Art Department in film and TV through a class I took at the University of Southern California. I had struggled for 2 years in Architecture school and switched from a 5-year program to a 4-year program, knowing that I didn’t want to become an architect, but having no clue what else I could do. Since I had no more studio classes, I focused on finding electives I would enjoy. Classes like acting, art, art history, film… until I stumbled upon a class called Introduction to Art Direction. Read more>>

Lucie Van der Elst

Drawing is a universal language that I had the chance to learn at a very young age. My dad, an incredibly skilled drawer, took it upon himself to teach me the art of pictograms. By simplifying an object, action or animal, it is possible to make it legible by everyone. My dad and I would draw stories together, and played a game called tac-o-tac : a kind of freeform exquisite corpse. He would draw a character, I would draw a road, he would add a futuristic car, I would counterattack with a dragon. We would also look at so many books: political drawings, Flemish portraits from the 1500s, the works of Roland Topor, Saul Steinberg, Etienne Delessert, Rita Mercedes, nature illustration and anatomical books, and hundreds, thousands more. I would look at each image for a really long time, wondering how the artist did it, what detail they’d spend time on, what challenges they confronted. Read more>>

Langston Christopher

I’m actually a self-taught artist and Fashion Designer. I started sketching and drawing a little under three years old and that mostly consisted of people and the clothing they wore. Looking back over it all, the object of my fascination with drawing people was less about the figure and more about the clothing they wore. So the idea of fashion and style and design has always been in the back of my head in some way, shape, or form. I think what frustrates me more is that I didn’t think to take fashion design more seriously earlier on in high school. Taking fashion design as a serious career path didn’t form until later in high school. Some skills that I’ve learned that are essential in the business is to have an unwavering patience with yourself and the construction process. Read more>>

Simon Jay

I started music when I was 4 years old. When you lean music at such a young age, you see music as another form of communication. In some ways, I can communicate better with music than words. The most important skill in most creative fields I’d say would be to simplify to the most basic form you can, and build from there. There’s so much beauty in simplicity. Read more>>

Melissa Campos

Photography is a happy accident. Photo has never been something I pursued since my background is primarily in Performing arts and beauty/style. But after a trying season of life I wanted to try and “reset” my brain by learning something I had never done- so I purchased a camera. To help aid my learning process, I watched you-tube videos, read camera forums and just shot A LOT with anyone who would let me. Though the most unexpected thing I did that would prove most helpful in my journey was creating an instagram account full of photographers I could earn from. Using instagram as a tool for connection and learning (and eventually advertising) was essential to my success. Read more>>

Yaxaira McNear-Echeverria

I draw for a living. And while the visual arts often are characterized with nebulous words like “gifted” or “talent”, learning how to draw has little to do with either of those things. While used with positive intentions, they unwittingly invalidate the hard work, discipline, and practice that is required to create art at a mastery level. Correcting the misconception of talent, I believe drawing is more likened to professions like medicine, engineering or physics. The latter three are collectively recognized by the intense dedication, study, and intellect to succeed in those disciplines. Art is no different. To create art at the level of say a Renaissance master, or contemporary virtuosos like Hayao Miyazaki, the late Kim Jung Gi, or Alberto Mielgo, requires an equal level dedication, study, and intellect. Read more>>

Duncan Therrell

When we started the band, we were starting from ground zero. What kept us creating was inspiration from great indie artists and our shared love of music. Our learning process was based on trial and error. Something that could have sped up our learning was probably watching tutorials. A lot of people really estimate the amount of knowledge there is for free on YouTube. The most essential skills we have learned is to just have fun with it. It doesn’t matter what people think, if you like it, put it out. There will always be people who will like (or hate) your work, and that’s just how it is. Some obstacles we’ve experienced is just the limits of not having some equipment. The upside of that is that it forces you to learn how to overcome those obstacles. Read more>>

Ari He

Like many, I was drawing as young as I can remember, but I formally started my training in elementary school. My teacher was a graduate from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Through her, I learned the fundamentals of academic drawing which has stayed with me since. In my experience, the best way to speed up the learning process is to create more–and be mindful while creating. Read more>>

Edmond “Ej Staxx” McNack

I learned how to dance by going into my parents basement, turning on music that I loved, and started moving and grooving out. I would also copy what I saw in Videos, trying to understand textures and the feeling that the choreographer would try to convey. Knowing what I know now, I would have never been afraid to move to a different City to train and pursue Dance. I would of also been more discipline when it comes to taking care of my body, and adopting a more healthier eating lifestyle. Read more>>