Over the past few months we’ve reached out to members of the CanvasRebel community to dive deeper into their stories. We wanted to learn how they got to where they are today and we heard stories that will keep our inspiration cup full for a long time. Their stories, lessons and humor have lifted our spirits and we hope you’ll take a minute to check out the stories below.

Martina Barley of Uptown Marketing

I started working for a State Farm Insurance agent my freshman year of college. After graduation, I wanted to put my marketing studies to use and started working for a local marketing company. I fused my knowledge of insurance and marketing to start developing marketing campaigns designed for insurance agents. In 2019, I started my own marketing company to serve insurance agents, Uptown Marketing. In 2023, I wrote my first book, “The Marketing Girl” to share my story and advice, which is available on Amazon! Read more>>

Carolina Amarillo

The heart of my story has always been love; it is all about love. I have been interested in Art and Art-Making since I saw paintings by Botero, Alejandro Obregón, and other painters in the Museo Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá. The feelings you can transmit through paintings have always interested me. I studied Visual Arts with an emphasis in Fine Arts in my undergraduate studies at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Once I finished in 2019, I moved with my parents to Miami, Florida, where I continued making art in my new home until 2020. Read more>>

Regina Carregha

It’s been 10 years now, since I moved to the United States and have been extremely grateful for the career opportunities I’ve had in the Entertainment/Theater Industry. With 4 National Tours under my belt, Awards and Nominations from prestigious Institutions such as Broadway World Awards, HOLA Awards, LATA Awards and Fun Fast Feb Fest Awards, I am soaking in the honey of what hard work, training and following my dreams have given me. I am deeply passionate of the work line I’m currently at, and the motivation to create new projects in the foreseeable future is extremely exciting. Read more>>

Hab Oh

I’ve been drawing my whole life, even as a toddler I would fill up composition notebooks with random doodles and watercolor paintings. It wasn’t something that was openly nurtured, but I was allowed to express myself pretty freely as a kid. I don’t know why my young mind was captivated by drawing but I never stopped. In middle school, my best friend and I would draw in the same composition notebook. My first collaboration. We worked on this Dragon Ball Z inspired comic; he was MUCH better than I was in terms of skill, but it didn’t matter. We were just having fun! From there, I just kept going, eventually coming up with my own characters in high school and college. Read more>>

Karmessa Padgett

Growing up in Mobile, AL, I am no stranger to music! I distinctly remember being in awe of my grandmother’s voice. She had a strong, beautiful voice which reminded you of Mahalia Jackson. My grandmother, Myrtis, would sing all around the house and in church. She would bring the congregation to tears as she ministered though song. That specifically is what lit a fire in me for singing at an early age. My humble beginnings of performing in community ensembles & school choirs, prepared and afforded me a University Choir Scholarship to Alabama A&M University. Little did I know, my collegiate musical growth was grooming me to live my dreams!  Read more>>

Sawyer Baird

My journey into wedding photography began at the age of sixteen, fueled by a deep love for capturing people and the meaningful moments that shape our lives. I grew up on watching not only my grandfather but my mother photograph every moment of my childhood. From sending off film to creating scrapbooks, photography was always in the cards for myself. Following my passion, I pursued further education in photography at the Savannah College of Art & Design after graduating high school. It was during this time that I discovered the magic of film photography within my personal work and started incorporating it into weddings, portraits, and travel work. Read more>>

Ashley Hall

Getting to where I am today has been an interesting journey. I would say my journey started when I was working in the financial district. I was overworked, underpaid and miserable. I had gotten to the point where I was tired of holding myself back from pursuing my dreams due to fear. I finally made the decision to start making active steps to change my career. So I enrolled in culinary school. Read more>>

Barbara Bullard of B-Bullard LLC

At five years of age, my memories are of sitting in the den watching television, while my older sisters were out and about, and my parents were busy in the home . . . not watching to be entertained but viewing to figure out how to make the story better . . . . Barbara Bullard, the Managing Member of B-Bullard LLC, is an entrepreneur, publicist, writer, and producer serving as a social innovator and catalyst for cultural transformation.  Read more>>

Amanda Thomson

I was always a curious child with questions, questions and more questions. Journalism was therefore the perfect career for me. I wasn’t the world’s best writer but boy, I could talk. So it was TV and radio for me. That was my first career. My love of fine Champagne grew whilst working in the art space back in the days of journalism when we used to work and play hard. I met my husband on the back of a boat at a fancy party at the Cannes Film Festival when I was reporting on the film business! Read more>>

Latifah Shadaé

I quietly sat in the corner of my classroom with the toys while the other kids were running & jumping around. Took the first crayon I could find & began doodling pictures and my name on the wooden blocks. I did this often until one day the teacher found them & showed my mom. I thought I was going to get in trouble but they thought it was cool. But now instead of blocks they gave me books full of color paper. In elementary school the teachers would give me supplies to go home with. And I’d return with an art piece. Read more>>

Lauren B Martin

I am an actor,, voice, artist, writer and director and occasionally a singer . I have been extremely blessed to have some success in all of those fields. My time in recording studio’s,modeling or the many years on daytime television.Each project and chapter of my life has only contributed to my creative dna. I will continue to create as long as I can make the space,It is
innately who I am,and brings me the most joy.. My time in between ,fitness and health is a big part of my day-to-day, I love a fitness challenge, and I think it’s so important for my state of well-being. In another life, I may have been an interior designer, or a florist, Maximalism and Hollywood Regency all day! Read more>>

Jordan Lewis

It started when I was young, fawning over clothes with my mom. I wasn’t fully aware of how much I loved clothes… All I knew was the woman I wanted to become one day required an amazing wardrobe. At 19 while in school studying business, I got my first sewing machine from the only person I knew who sewed, my church’s seamstress. Clothing designs started coming to my mind like movie images. I graduated college and immediately threw myself into clothing, enrolling in HCC Fashion Design. I started making whatever came to mind and got so much love for my pieces from family and friends. That love and support pushed me to start my brand, J. Alexandra Designs. Read more>>

Emma Davis

I have always been an animal lover and studied Animal Science in Undergrad followed by a Masters in Animals in Public Policy. I grew up working with animals big and small. In 2015, my brother started a cannabis delivery and the opportunity to join him came up–so I did! Through building that business I learned about entrepreneurship and what it takes for a business to succeed. I also learned a lot about cannabis and the benefits it offers. During that time my dog was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, a terminal cancer of the liver. I decided not to do chemo as the vet only gave him a few months to live and I wanted those to be good, vet free months. My brother suggested giving him a tincture we sold. At the time there were hardly any products for pets and no one really knew how to dose them. So I experimented and long story short, he went into remission for 4 years. Read more>>

Jonathan Dritto

My story always starts with growing up in New York. Born in Brooklyn but raised in the lower Hudson valley there was no sort comings of inspiration for a creative kid like myself and everytime I think back it makes total sense why I became an artist. Whether it was commuting the Hudson line with my mother or the drives up the Belt Parkway with friends there is just an infinite amount of inspiration I’ve pulled from the world around me. My Story really starts after seeing ancient artwork in the American Museum of Natural History for the first time as a kid. I remember seeing the exhibit and being blown away by each piece, how it was made and how long some must’ve taken. I remember feeling drawn to the process of creation as a whole more than one specific mediu. Read more>>

Nicole Hope Sylvester of N. Hope Guidance

Talking about my early life leaves very little to the imagination. It represents all traditional aspects of growing up without trouble or trauma. Which is why it is so interesting that at age 38 I found myself so disregulated, unhappy and unhealthy. Needless to say I found myself incredibly lost and totally unsure if there would ever be a clear path out of my pain and discomfort. This struggle was actually a gift that changed the trajectory of my life towards, alignment, happiness, healing, intuitive development and unbelievable life fulfillment. I do want to mention that I don’t believe we all have to go through such a massive low to get on our path but it is definitely a game changer. Read more>>

Tawny Lara’s Story

I’m Tawny Lara, author of Dry Humping and co-author of The Sobriety Deck, co-host of the Recovery Rocks podcast, and co-founder of the vinegar-based botanical beverage, (parentheses). I’ve reported on the sober/sober curious/mindful drinking scene since 2015. I began with blogging and an event series called Readings on Recovery. I eventually pivoted into podcasting, publishing and now have my own drink! Life is wild. I quit drinking in 2015 as a social experiment. I wanted to see if my relationship with alcohol hindered my writing and creativity. Spoiler alert… I WAS RIGHT. After that first year, my sobriety evolved from a social experiment to finally addressing the mental health issues that I suppressed with alcohol. Now I’m more than 8 years alcohol-free. Read more>>

Amita Chandekar’s Story

Born and raised in the vibrant city of Mumbai, India, my journey as an entrepreneur and creative soul began amidst my hometown’s bustling streets and colorful culture. Even from early school, I was drawn to the arts, whether painting, singing, or dancing. The thrill of performing, of being on center stage, captured my heart, and I knew that creativity would always be an integral part of my life. It was during high school that I made a pivotal decision that would shape my future. Amid modeling competitions and school events, I realized my passion for acting. With unwavering determination, I set my sights on becoming an actor despite the uncertainties that lay ahead. Read more>>

Linda Uribe’s Story

I’ve been working since I was 15. After high school, college wasn’t an option—finances were tight, and my grades just weren’t up to par, though I did take English and Art Honors. Life has been kind enough to introduce me to some incredible mentors along the way. Eric Hadar, in particular, has been my greatest mentor, teaching me invaluable lessons in both business and life that I’ll carry with me forever. In short, getting to where I am today has taken a lot of resilience, heart, hard work, and determination. Read more>>

Jud Bergeron

Making art was always very important growing up. I come from 7 generations of artists on my father’s side of the family, my grandmother, who never graduated high school, ended up getting a degree from RISD when she was 65, my father had a degree in fine art and architecture, my grandfather was an engraver and on and on it goes. I attended high school in Guilford Connecticut and I was lucky enough to have a teacher (Charolette Earhart) who was a sculptor and she introduced me to stone carving. After high school I attended The Old Lyme Academy of Fine Art which was (and still is) a strictly classical school where I studied figure and portrait sculpture and anatomy. Read more>>

Coach Mike Jame

Some years back I was a full time personal trainer. I started to want more than just helping people physically with their health. I reflected on the sessions where I helped someone more just by pulling them to the side and having a conversation with them about what was going on. As I begin to find what I wanted to do, I started to research life coaching. It was an amazing way to help people with their why, as well as their mindset. In 2019, I launched P&Z Life Coaching. Today I am blessed to be a life coach, speaker, event emcee, and a facilitator for Certified Life Coach Institute. Read more>>

Alex Palombo’s Story

My story is not a simple straightforward path. It involved doing a lot of growing up and finding my own way on my own.
Basically the biggest thing I have had to learn is to simply get out of my own damn way. I grew up in Newport RI, an absolutely beautiful place but similar to most small towns it was very sheltered and close minded. It is very preppy and if you were not that (as I was more “creative”-winning the “most likely seen in space” superlative in the high school yearbook) then you didn’t feel comfortable or fit in. Couple that with the insecurity and shyness of being a young creative and a manipulative family structure, I did not have a lot of self-confidence. Read more>>

Petra Mason’s Story

Fast forward to now, to the land of my ancestors and origins to the high-veld bush-veld artists residency that’s been ours since 1968 and is located in the Cradle of Humankind in Southern Africa. The artist residence, Obscure Studio aims to amplify and reflect the radical transformation taking place in contemporary pan-African art. My intellectually insatiable artist mother and Archaeology Professor father shared a love for ancient cultures Growing up a Bohemian outsider during South Africa’s apartheid era, we were never part of the mainstream. I have a nomad, adventurous spirit and I have lived in Tuscany, Italy where I studied art in Florence, I lived in Cape Town South Africa and worked in art galleries and publishing throughout the 90s then moved to Manhattan New York where I did the same relocating to Latin Manhattan aka Miami where my husband and I created a bespoke publishing company. Now I operate globally as a publisher having just completed a book publishing project for a museum in Palm Beach, Florida that was printed in Italy. I have an ability to create my own luck – but that takes a lot of effort! My life as a cultural historian and global nomad is enormously enriching. I consider myself an American South African new world person. Read more>>

Barbara Abel of Abel Intermedia LLC

It’s been a non-linear path to get to where I am today as a multi-media communications coach. I started my career in the music business in Los Angeles with zero connections and even less of a plan. I just knew I wanted to be there. I had no practical skills like sales, marketing or negotiating but I had an abundance of enthusiasm and my chatty, curious self was very good on the phone when the phone was everything. I noticed the young men around me zooming up the ladder while I was stuck xeroxing and making coffee and a lot less money so after a year or two too many I plucked up the courage to move to New York without a job or an apartment or much of a plan. It was all forward motion and I never looked back.  Read more>>

Geoffrey Stein

I am a recovering lawyer, and figurative painter based in New York City. I paint in my midtown studio and have exhibited my artwork in museums and galleries throughout the United States and in London, Dublin, Paris, and Reykjavik. From 2022-23 I was the Artist-in-Residence at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in White Plains, NY. While answering the CanvasRebel interview questions, it occurred to me that I have now been painting full time for the past 24 years, almost twice as long as I practiced law. My wife’s support has been crucial to my being able to leave the practice of law and pursue my passion—painting. Read more>>

Krista Frahm

I accidentally found copywriting after someone told me I “wrote great copy” and I thought she was saying I copied someone. At the time, I was volunteering with a non-profit, writing social media posts, donor letters, grant requests, and emails. I enjoyed writing and was told I was good, but I had never heard of copywriting. At the same time, I was working for a few healthcare companies as an occupational therapist, but it wasn’t a good fit. The schedule meant my kids were home alone more than I was comfortable with and I didn’t have the resources I needed at work to get ideal outcomes for my clients. I was frustrated and overwhelmed. Read more>>

Monica Watson of Berlin Skin

Minimalism in skincare has been passed down through 4 generations of women in my family. My grandma specifically influenced me to care well for my skin; her philosophy was this: if you’re using high quality, nourishing products, you only need a few. After a 2-year-long struggle with cystic acne, implementing this advice internally and externally did wonders for my skin. Everything we create here at Berlin Skin stems from this core value that simplicity can also equal results. My great grandma, grandma, and mom are all from Berlin and this brand is a tribute to the strong and beautiful women who have come before me. Read more>>

Serena Nicole Rudisel’s Story

I am Serena Nicole- an influencer, founder and model based in NYC. Passionate about holistic wellness, I’ve spent the past 5 years empowering countless individuals to prioritize feeling good. I dream of a world where we fulfill our own potential and also inspire others to do the same. I love to share my life and things that feel good through my personal brand, while I create things that feel good through my holistic wellness business. I channel my power to create a world where you can care for their mind, body and soul, because you deserve to feel good. Read more>>

Jennifer Rhode of Jennifer Rhode Design

I did not take a direct path to becoming an interior designer. After growing up in Northern California, I spent my twenties working in fashion in New York City, first for Calvin Klein, and later as a free-lance wardrobe stylist where I dressed people for photo shoots, commercials and a couple of TV shows. During my early thirties I was back in San Francisco working as a window stylist for Banana Republic. I loved that job because the mannequins were very easy to work with – they never lied about their size or complained about their outfits, like the actors sometimes did. The rest of my thirties were spent in Amsterdam where I had my two babies and remodeled our canal house. I was completely inspired by the the Dutch design aesthetic of creating modern, streamlined interiors in buildings that are hundreds of years old. I also loved the Dutch concept of “gezellig” which means cozy, but in a more comprehensive way. When we moved back to the states and I was ready to work again, I decided to focus on interiors, rather than clothing. I wanted to create a feeling of “modern gezellig” in my family home and later in the homes of my clients. Read more>>

Brian Smith of The Blueheart Foundation 334

I founded The Blueheart Foundation 334 as a way to support underserved youth and families in the Montgomery area. I try to serve through a variety of unique activities. I mentor high school band kids and prepare them for collegiate band. I donate funds for new uniforms and instruments. I also played the tuba for the Carver High School Mighty Marching Wolverine Band and later in the university band, the Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornet Band. I’ve been mentoring the kids at Carver High School for 18 years now. I talk to them about band, music and life. I also hold a high school drum line competition. Kids who participate in this competition have the opportunity to apply for scholarships during the competition, because college recruiters attend. The first-place trophy is six feet tall. Everybody wants to win it. We also hold a free school supply giveaway every year for kids in the Montgomery County Public School System. Read more>>

Rodrick “duke” Robinson

Rodrick Robinson, best known as Duke The Guitarist, is an accomplished guitarist/bassist and music director. Rodrick has worked alongside several rising stars from NBC’s The Voice, American Idol, BET’s Sunday Best and appearances with several mainstream artists. Read more>>

Laura Lafrance of Lafrance Studio

Chapter 1: Threads of Dreams The world of fashion wasn’t always my runway. Born and raised with Caribbean heritage, practicality was a strong thread in my upbringing. Becoming a fashion designer felt like a whimsical dream, a secret passion I tucked away while pursuing a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. It wasn’t what set my soul on fire, but it provided stability, a quality my family highly valued. One day, I decided to take a leap of faith. I began sharing my story on YouTube, a platform where I could express my true passion for fashion design. It wasn’t always easy. There were moments of doubt, whispers from within telling me this path was frivolous. But with each stitch, each design that came to life, my heart resonated with a deep sense of fulfillment. Read more>>

Michelle Collins of A Non-Agency

As a Korean born, adopted (Japanese and American) US citizen, heritage, culture and technology has been on the forefront of my life. As a female entrepreneur and rebel of sorts, I never followed the pack and pursued the lesser traveled road with curiosity and a passion for authenticity, artistry and ingenuity. A\N/A A Non-Agency® formed in 2016 was a proclamation of my journey to be my best, true self. It’s core ethos was founded by a mission to amplify individual strength, and to help other talented people do the same in an industry that didn’t embrace the power of the one and the capabilities of the collective. Read more>>