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?

Sigrun Koch

Everyone draws at some point in their life. Now, when it comes to actually learning how to draw, a lot of people don’t quite know where to start. Read more>>

Coby Mack

Hello, I’m Coby Mack, from Brooklyn New York and I am an artist based in Atlanta, GA. My main art mediums are Acting, Photography, Directing, and Writing. As a kid, I always had big dreams. It started off with acting/performing; I would see some of my favorite films like School of Rock, and just about anything with Will Smith and I was instantly enthralled with it all. Read more>>

Universe

As I grew up I’d up cycle thrift clothes I’d find hot gluing things together. I then started to teach myself to hand stitch before I could buy an actual machine. People would see my clothes I’ve made & be interested in how I’d put it together that made me want to teach myself more. I would teach myself how to make patterns draw out my ideas and how to actually use a machine to work faster.. with being a designer knowing how to sew is one thing but an essential skill to that would be pattern making and illustration. Read more>>

Brock Larson

Although I’ve been drawing my entire life, I began taking my training in art seriously around my senior year of high school. Being raised by artists, I was fortunate to be given a head start in traditional training practices that date back to the mid 19th century French academies. The Atelier programs place high importance on drawing skills, among the abilities to simplify our visual experience to value, edges, color and the ability to render form. There are no shortcuts to achieving a high quality painting, but I believe that the Atelier systems of training offer the most efficient path toward mastery of the craft. Read more>

Oliver Who

Most of what I’ve learned as a singer/songwriter is through reading. I find that novels tend to help you delve into the depths of human emotions. It is a bit dramatized for entertainment purposes, but that’s what makes it fun. The only difference with books is that you have an unlimited amount of words to tell your stories in contrast to a song which averages 200–300 words. People don’t realize how challenging it can be to have to tell your story using only a few hundred words. Artists like Elliott Smith, Kate Bush, and Bon Iver are a few I consider great storytellers. Read more>>

Monique Pontes

Learning how to paint can be a fulfilling journey! It involves understanding color theory, mastering various techniques like blending and shading, and exploring different mediums such as oil, acrylic, or watercolor. I always liked drawing and painting, but it was when I went to the University of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro that I really discovered the many ways arts can be used. Read more>>

Hannah Krówka

I’ve been around and been curious about photography for as long as I can remember. I started by asking questions and looking at what was around me, a process that allowed for growth by seeking out peers and asking myself about what might be making my work different from theirs. I’m wildly fortunate in that I was given space to use available resources very early on, taking free wildlife and waterfall photography classes over the summers at my local wildlife education center, and allowing myself to explore my camera and find out what made me feel creative and engaged. Read more>>

Billie Lu Bright

I pursued music when I was young so creation was not foreign to me, but expressing ideas through visual art took a conscious effort and a desire to improve. I was not “born a painter” but I was determined to pursue it because I enjoyed it. In my early years of learning to illustrate I was wrapped up in this idea that I was not naturally “gifted” with the ability to create therefore my understanding of the fundamentals would forever be lacking. But the call to create was louder than any doubt I had, so I continued. Read more>>

Miguel Escobar

In my experience, the technical skill required to begin writing music is minimal; but I constantly meet musicians who are trying to unlearn this myth (sometimes I think that the majority of our lives are spent processing and responding to the first few years of your life — some of which you may not even remember. It’s very annoying). I’m no different: I grew up singing in Church, and I took piano lessons for years but was only able to develop confidence in knowing that I’m terrible on the piano. Then, at the age of 15, I taught myself to play the guitar and it came much more naturally. Read more>>

Alexandra Kube

There was a time when I had the misconception that “learning” art would stifle my creativity. Once I accepted that learning meant adding tools to my craft, I embraced the process and appreciated what other accomplished artists had to offer. I started with a community college (earned an associates degree), moved on to specific classes (animation related) and I now take online classes every so often when something strikes me. Read more>>

Mia Ando

How did you learn to do what you do? Read more>>

Gabriel Finlinson

I started learning in high-school. I took a few photography classes from my favorite teacher Derek Miller. I didn’t even want to take the photography class at first I just wanted to take a class he was teaching. During my first couple classes I realized I had no idea what I was doing. My good friend Aiden let me borrow one of his cameras for an assignment. Read more>>

Brandon Martinez

When I look at my work, I see a lot of the time I spent exploring different techniques and tools, working through a ton of iterations, and generally trying to understand the work of other artists. I see learning as a marathon, not a sprint, so in a sense I’ll always be learning. But the product of my learning only shows once I invest time into the craft. With that, I’d say that I’m in no rush to speed up my learning process. Instead I’m more excited about taking the time to fully explore ideas rather than trying to rush them. Read more>>

Patricia Chica

My name is Patricia Chica, and my journey in the film and TV industry has been quite dynamic. From directing and casting to writing, producing, videography, editing, photography, coaching, and public relations – I’ve embraced many roles in the film industry, but my true calling is directing and producing author-driven stories. But it hasn’t always been that way. Read more>>

Nohely Quiroz

When I was a kid I would go to family parties where there would be mariachi or banda players and I would sing along with the live music. It became a party trick for my parents. My immigrant parents that wouldn’t know what to do with me if this was something I wanted to pursue. It took me a long time before I could actually learn how to sing with a teacher or dance in a class. Read more>>

Ethan Kotch

Developing my own artistic style and voice wasn’t born from some “ah-ha” moment where I pinpointed all of my own strengths and (internally) said “Yes! Let’s do this!”. It actually began when I accepted the things I wasn’t good at. In the beginning of my career, I had a difficult time with application. Having not gone to school for art or having taken any classes in that realm, things like color blending, shading, etc did not come naturally to me. Read more>>

Johnathan Herzberg

Painting came out of a need for expression/exploration. At that point I felt stuck where I was and this was a way for me to break out a bit. Looking back it seems that it all just kind of happened and I went with it. The reality is that I learned through trial and error. Get an idea, try it, fail, and try again. The most beneficial part of this process was that I began to learn a lot about how I operate. How do I achieve that headspace again? Read more>>

Matt Smith

For me, I learned from the “School of hard knocks”. I didn’t go to school or anything for any of this. I have learned everything on my own. I have been in the music business for 33 years and have just picked things up as I went. Read more>>

C4. Benard

I’ve been in love with hip hop since a little boy. Listening to 50 Cent and DMX drew me into the genre, but I was never able to truly relate to them. Then, I got big into Kanye, Kendrick Lamar, and J Cole and realized there was a space for the people who weren’t super street and began to want to try it myself. I studied the greats all the way from Kool G Rap, Nas, Busta Rhymes and Hov to the Kendricks, Coles, etc. Read more>>

Jenay Leger

Learning how to interview people well on my podcast. I think I’ve gotten really good at interviewing people and asking the right questions to intrigue my audience. I have also learned a lot about content creation. It’s something I’m always thinking about and I love being creative. I sometimes have creative blocks but am able to push through. Read more>>

King Rem

It’s clear and understood that artists are constantly learning and evolving, just as we do as human beings. “Learning” my craft to me isn’t really a linear path to some goal of mastery. In many ways, I’ve unlearned a lot of things that I found no longer useful. I have also relearned things that I maybe took for granted and now see the importance of that concept or thing. Read more>>

Ryan Robert

The fascination with coffee and tea began from living abroad as well as traveling to foreign countries. As Americans, we have firmly established our coffee and tea rituals, whatever they may be – sweet tea in the South, a drip pot of coffee at home, pumpkin spice lattes having their own season on the calendar. Globally, coffee and tea rituals exist and not much thought is given to how different these are from the American lens. Read more>>

BJ & Jeff

Learning the craft was difficult, and took a long time to hone in. There were a few things that we already had experience in, which was a bonus. We had both been performing music for years, so we were already familiar with (and enjoy) that end of things. Also, both of us have an active history of recording and producing music in a studio, but we had never put recording and live performance in the same spot before. (band meets DJ). Read more>>

Shelby Busey

Originally, I allowed fear to keep me from auditioning for anything since childhood. I was absolutely crippled with the thought that I would be ‘bad’ since I didn’t have experience. However, keeping the promise to a friend that I would audition for the next production at my college is what got me across that threshold into my first audition. Read more>>

Yanru He

My practice encompass a diverse range of mediums, and I find satisfaction in the continuous process of familiarizing myself with each one. A significant part of my work consists of fabric sculptures and installations, stemming from my early interest in apparel and the necessity of mending my own clothes. While using a sewing machine seems like the straightforward approach, I find a deeper connection through employing predominantly hand sewing techniques in my sculptural works. Read more>>

Vicki Syal

I learned by doing. That isn’t to say I didn’t train. I love learning. I read excessively. I go to museums. I take seminars. There are a million free seminars (and some worthwhile paid ones.) Knowledge is power. I took as many acting classes as I could, (and could afford.) I joined a theater company and learned how to produce live shows, how to edit scripts, how to be discerning about material, and how to take notes. I took improv and learned how to say yes and… Read more>>

Shane Weiss

I honestly still am learning to do what to do and I don’t think that will ever change. All I know is that I love storytelling and being able to escape into another world for a couple hours. It’s like out of body therapy for me. I went to school for filmmaking, primarily editing, but truly fell in love with the art of writing after taking a screenwriting class and being stuck inside during the Covid quarantine. Read more>>

James Morgan

*BACKSTORY Like most people that work at events, I lost my job and all my DJ gigs due to the pandemic in 2020. In January of 2021 the Rane One DJ Controller was released and I was talking to a DJ friend about it. I remember saying “I’d buy it if it actually played records” and that’s when it clicked! If I put my mind to it I could make tonearms that could attach magnetically and allow DJ’s to play 7″ records! Read more>>

Ike Kawaguchi

I wanted to shred the guitar. Read more>>

La’Perria Harvin

I learned what I know from many places. Initially and most of my foundation I learned from my parents. Starting with character building, people skills and having my own sense of direction; my first lessons were from them. Also my community growing up had a huge effect on me. Lastly my friends and homies. Read more>>

Eric Kalver

My background in the entertainment industry is pretty unique. My great-grandfather was an assistant and builder to Harry Houdini, my grandmother was a USO touring singer, my father has been a professional magician for over 50 years, and my mother was a theater teacher and a clown that did magic. Growing up with parents that made performing their full time career, I witnessed hundreds of performances on small stages, big stages, theaters, TV performances, and more. Read more>>

Tommy Tsu

Creativity is born out of necessity. I wanted to make music & it seems a world of other things come attached with that 😂🎉 Read more>>

Alex Mak

I was fortunate to grow up exposed to a lot of great guitar-driven music. AC/DC, The Stones, Van Halen, Zeppelin, and Hendrix were all mainstays. My dad and I would listen to the music or watch live DVDs for fun. Hearing and seeing great players young showed me what to shoot for, and what was possible. I think growing up with that music made learning feel a lot more familiar. Read more>>

Austin, Hannah

Learning how to podcast is something that we’re forever learning more about. New challenges arise the farther we get into producing content, and we’re always having to learn new tricks to get over the hurdles. One thing we’ve run into a few times recently has been issues with audio quality. We’ve learned a lot about the equipment we use and the tools we have available to us in post-production, and we only learn more as new issues arise. We feel like this is something we’ll never stop learning about, and it just makes us all the better at what we do as we face these, and other, challenges. Read more>>

Brittany Alston

I am a self-taught photographer/visual artist and as a result, most of my experiences and knowledge comes from hands on involvement. I am always enrolling myself in different opportunities that correlate with the ideas and things that I want to learn more about. For instance. I will research different opportunities and so far, those opportunities have worked out for me. Read more>>

Mackenzie Bakewell

I put together all my creative passions (art, photography, writing, design, to name a few) by self-publishing an all ages, art education, coloring book product line. Yet years ago, it all started with a gift to a friend. I’d made her a few hand-drawn illustrations for her to color, as a way to help reduce anxiety. Read more>>

Marlene Solorio

I started creating art at a very young age but my professional education in Art & Design kicked off at an early point in my life back when I was in my Junior year of high school. I would attend an Art Portfolio development program during the weekends to learn the basic foundation of Art & Design such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and the programs I would need specifically for Graphic Design. After that I went on to get 5 more years of experience at CSULB where I earned my BFA in Graphic Design, learning Branding, Packaging, Typography, and more. Read more>>

Kristina Shelton

I started printing Direct to Film transfers when it was brand new. Our business started with a single desktop printer that I converted from regular ink to water-based fabric ink, and has grown to 5 large format commercial printers and a staff of 20. Although we are much bigger now, I will never forget the many nights I spent sitting on the floor of my basement, taking printers apart to figure out how they worked and piecing them back together. Read more>>

Mikaila Mack

I am a multi-disciplinary artist, meaning, I do not like to box myself in. The most important thing to know about me is…I don’t like knowing that there’s a creative expression that I can’t do. So even if I have no one to teach me how to be good at something, I learn, I study, I research, I challenge myself, and I grow, This process has helped me with every single aspect of creativity and spirituality that I now express in my business. Read more>>

Santos Verdinez

I started training MMA back in 2014. most of my training at the time had a heavy emphasis on BJJ. While having a small advantage in my training from my short time in wrestling I quickly learned that BJJ was the counter part of that. BJJ taught me to be soft and flow. Everyone develops their own style of grappling and mine started to become a slower heavy style that seemed to fit my body type. Read more>>

Elijah Badua

I started teaching myself music as a teenager, picking up guitar and cello and learning entirely by ear. I didn’t take on a formal education in music or go to college, and instead started traveling abroad any opportunity i got. I went to india, china, thailand, turkey, europe, oman, and opened my ears to a lot of diffferent approaches to music and picked up different instruments. Read more>>

Nick Rhodes

I started learning guitar as a child from my father who is a classical guitarist. From there, I discovered the electric guitar and the possibilities it has in various bands and ensembles. once I was 18, I was accepted and completed a 3 year program at mohawk college for contemporary/ jazz guitar. It was during this time where my abilities on the guitar increased the most and I had the pleasure of studying under award wining musicians, even having the opportunity to perform with them numerous times. Read more>>

Chelsea Elizabeth

For many writers, storytelling is something we’ve done since we were children. It starts with playing—anything from “cops and robbers” to dress up to illustrating our pets with crayons. We always had an interest in imagining things and recreating them. It’s creating something in your mind and projecting it for others to experience on a canvas, a page, through headphones…anything. Read more>>

Lisa Congdon

I never went to school for art or illustration, and I am, aside from a couple classes at the community level, entirely self taught. I think back now, and realize that practice played the most essential role in my development as an artist. When we are first starting out, we have an idea in our minds about what we want to make, or how we want our art to look. But our taste is always beyond our skills. Ira Glass calls this the “beginner gap’. Read more>>

Slate Quagmier

I took my first art class on a lark during my senior year of high school. I had an extra period in my schedule and needed to take something. Just a few months into the school year, I was hooked. I learned how to draw that year. I learned to paint years later. Again, I had some free time and took a painting course at community college while I was out of work. I was taught by a master, LA-based artist M.A. Peers. I took two semesters of her intensive courses. We started with the foundations using a modern, restrictive palette to get us focused on color mixing. Read more>>

Judy Rodman

My lessons in voice have taken place in three stages. First, my father and grandfather, both from the deep south in Mississippi, taught me to sing in public, and to sing harmony. That became as natural as rain, from my first memories of singing at jam sessions with my family to beginning studio session singing as a teenager, and becoming a staff jingle singer in my early 20’s. Read more>>

Tim Wulf

Art school was voted down and the conservative university I attended didn’t allow classes in figurative sculpture. I decided I would pursue sculpture after college but then babies, home remodeling and career challenges came along. Read more>>

Nikki Webb

All my life my dad had been a DJ. We all helped with the family business and that included helping dad DJ. That meant that we helped carry all the lights, equipment and music. We even got to help while he was playing music; that meant pulling out songs on records, tapes and cds. When I was 10 years old I asked my dad to teach me how to DJ. I learned everything I could about what it took to rock a party. Read more>>