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?

Miguel Saludes

I have been practicing painting since I was a kid. Once my parents noticed my interest in the visual arts, they supported my passion as best they could. Read more>>

Aryana Hamzehloo

I think the craft of acting is misunderstood due to the media. There is such a technique and skill to acting that is often overlooked. Actors have homework that is much more than just “learning lines.” Read more>>

Taylor Thomas

I’ve had the opportunity to do so much learning during my first year of graduate school. Whether it’s developing a new skill in one of my classes or experimenting with different materials and techniques in my studio, Read more>>

Whitney Holland

My learning came after initially joining community theatre as a kid. At the start it was pure, unaware play. Then I stacked on a BFA in acting, hard dedication outside of class, a training in Russia, reading, more classes, self-practicing, studying, self-analyzing, and joining the acting company of a top Shakespeare Festival. Read more>>

Krishana Oxner |Tracie and Jennifer Mackins

Tracie + Jennifer Mackins: Tracie graduated in Fashion Design and Marketing at the American College in London. Jennifer has a background in wedding planning after graduating from JCSU in political science. Read more>>

Joel Lee

I think with art and drawing we all just naturally did it as children, it was an innate desire to put something on page, to create. But I think as we get older, the inner and outer voices that say you can’t do it, or you’re not good enough, etc get louder and louder. Read more>>

Trupti More

After completing my Master’s in India, I got married and moved to the USA. After obtaining another Master’s, I became a stay-at-home mom to take care of my first child. Read more>>

Daniel Ballard

99% of my accomplishments never started on paper. Every journey/job in my life required some sort of application full of previous work, pictures, “about me” and all sorts of potentially interesting things that could make a person want to hire/accept me. For some reason, my applications were never good enough to get me that job or be accepted into that program Read more>>

Holly McBride

I am currently a print surface pattern designer, but the base of my formal education is actually in sculpture, focusing on ceramics and fibers. Read more>>

Alina Zamanova

I studied art since I was in school, and my parents gave a full freedom in choosing my future when I was selecting the university, for which I am grateful. Read more>>

Jarrell Hall

Oh my. That’s a loaded question honestly. I’ve been performing and doing tech pretty much my entire life. Growing up in the Bay Area; I was exposed to music, acting, martial arts, dance, and tech. Read more>>

Carlos Castillo

Ive come to find that the process in learning and re-learning how to do things and figuring out how things work has been the most exciting part of my journey. Read more>>

Cori Elba

When I was 33 years old, I bought a drum kit. I knew absolutely nothing about the drums. All I knew was that I felt like I wanted to play them. Read more>>

Emmalani Howe

Many incredible artists who have mad iconic characters and push the limits of artistry with makeup and effects never cease to experiment within their craft. Read more>>

Christy Howitt

I learned to write a book through trial and error, through studying writing and literature in university and taking every book writing course I could afterwards. Read more>>

Marion McNabb

I’ve been writing stories since I could hold a pen honestly, but I guess it wasn’t really until I was an adult in my twenties playing around and writing some pretty bad scripts and plays that I began to think of myself as a writer. Read more>>

Chiara McCarty

Acting is a practice. The more you learn about the craft and the more you are in practice, the more rounded and unshakeable you become as an actor. Read more>>

Sarah Elliott

There are many ways to make jewelry, so learning the craft is a personal choice. On my journey I have found I learned best through hands on classes with various instructors, as everyone has their own way of doing things. Read more>>

Helena Victoria

Learning the craft of acting and dance is a transformative journey that requires dedication, discipline, and a deep connection to both body and emotion. Read more>>

Andrew Platter

I started playing music and singing at a very young age, and then learned guitar at about 15… It helped that my parents are both musicians, and as a child, along with my sisters and parents we traveled around the country in a van singing at churches along the way. Read more>>

Natasha Israni

In my case, learning the art of writing a novel after having worked as a multimedia journalist for many years. Knew how to write news stories – both long and short form- for magazines, newspapers, leading international news agencies, reporting on camera for a major international news broadcaster; Read more>>

Syeidah McBride

It has been said, “that some things just can’t be taught or learned”. I’ve truly been blessed with a gift of raw talent to have an “eye” for fashion, styling and the silhouettes that enhance and look best on various body types. Read more>>

Earth Ephect

Growing up I wasn’t schooled traditionally, I was home-schooled. My parents were wise to lay this path out for me, and I am extremely grateful for them. Read more>>

Haley Harnagel

I love this question because I am almost exclusively self-taught. I started with macrame because of a Pinterest post. I watched a couple of videos online and then just jumped in. Read more>>

Patrick Galanis Jr

I started playing guitar at age 13, my parents got me a cheap TV ad acoustic guitar for Christmas and after about 6 months it completely fell apart, haha! Read more>> 

Daniel J. Belisle

I decided to pursue painting back in 2007, right after I turned 20 years old. I was out of high school and already attending college, but for business and definitely not for anything art-related. Read more>>

Gregg Optekamp

Believe, let go, create. Believe in yourself, let go of what you think you can control and create what comes naturally to you. This was the Mantra I used in order for me to create unique design unique ideas and push myself to learn more about myself as an artist. Read more>> 

Jordan Nelson

My name is Jordan D. Nelson, I also go by JD. I am an illustrator born and raised in Boston, MA. My primary focus is portraiture and I have a special interest in anatomy and character design. Read more>>