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.

Todd Hanna

The world of surgery was introduced to me as a patient. 5-years-old. Dog bite to the upper lip. The surgeon who cared for me was incredibly caring and talented. He used sketches to explain the injury and reconstruction. My mother is an artist and taught me to draw and sculpt at an early age so this resonated with me tremendously. I saw how I could use art to physically help people. Ever since then, I always wanted to be a surgeon. The rest is history. Read more>>

E. Alexcina Brown’s Story

Writing has always been a way of self-expression for me. Growing up I was a bit shy around people I didn’t know, so I’d write to express my feelings and thoughts and even conjured up excitement in my imagination. In my professional career, I wrote blogs and content for websites about products/services that didn’t interest me. I then decided to start back writing for myself. Read more>>

Thijs Hogenboom

I started my journey in the arts at the tender age of 4, training in ballet and tap dance. By ten, I was accepted into the prestigious Royal Conservatory in The Hague, Netherlands, where I trained intensively in ballet, folklore, and modern dance. My dedication and passion for dance led me to further my training at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, where I continued to refine my skills with guidance from remarkable teachers. Read more>>

Jeddie Carnes of GLAAM Cosmetics

Jeddie Carnes is the inspiring owner and founder of GLAAM by Jeddie and GLAAM Cosmetics. With over 13 years of experience as a self-taught makeup artist, Jeddie transformed personal adversity into a mission to empower others through beauty. As a domestic violence survivor, Jeddie learned the art of makeup not just as a means of self-expression but as a tool to conceal bruises and scars. Her journey began during a challenging period in her life when she used makeup to cover visible signs of abuse. Through this experience, Jeddie realized that makeup could do more than enhance one’s appearance-it could also help restore confidence and dignity. This understanding became the foundation for GLAM by Jeddie and GLAAM Cosmetics, a brand dedicated to women of restoration and women on the go. Read more>>

Nicky Rodriguez’s Story

Being a professional artist was never my plan, mainly because I didn’t know it was a possibility. Most of the few career days I’d experienced in school were basically devoid of anything related to the arts, so I think I assumed the only way to work in the arts was to have already gone to some special art high school, honestly. My AP art teacher was shocked I hadn’t thought of applying to an art college by the time senior year came around, so with her help I decided to very quickly put together an art portfolio and send off applications. If she hadn’t believed in me and steered me that way I probably would’ve tried to study science? It’s really a huge mystery! I applied to two schools, Montserrat and California College of the Arts, and got into both. While I’d had more interaction with Montserrat and gotten the same scholarship amounts from both, with my sister also studying in San Francisco it felt like the right choice to head there. Read more>>

Jason Haaf

I didn’t write much after I graduated college and then, a few years later, late at night, I started playing with voice. What does my voice sound like now? What is the tone, what is the genre? I wanted to have an element of surprise and shock in my writing. Taking the autobiographical and giving it a punch, and maybe a pinch of neo-noir. From there, I began making zines and was introduced to the cut-up method, made popular by William Burroughs and Brion Gysin. I began collaging, combining photos of vintage male erotica with my words. When 2020 hit, I wanted to chronicle what was happening in my own life as a way to relate to others, especially other Queer men. My first novel, “Harsh Cravings” was published two years later. Today, I continue to look for new, odd, creative, non-traditional ways of making art and expressing myself. Read more>>

Michael Camarra

I started up in Connecticut where I grew up drawing all day all the time. At some point early in high school I knew I wanted to go to art school and my parents went along with that. I knew that I should want to go to an art school in the city so my art teacher pointed me towards Pratt in Brooklyn. I had a great 4 years there and worked nonstop, I still hear a lot of my professors’ voices in my head to this day. I did have a sizable student debt, so after graduating I just got into design and art direction hoping to do some illustration on the side, but that didn’t really take off. I saw the struggle of some of my older friends who had amazing books and got into all these illustration annuals. So art sort of receded for me after school. Read more>>

Steve Pavlovsky

I started doing liquid light shows 16 years ago. It was just another creative hobby at first, but I soon realized that people were responding way better to my work with this, than towards anything else I had done. I decided to take it more seriously, as I felt the positive energy from my audience. I just kept going, little by little, learning everything I could and making sure to learn from the times when things didn’t go well. Little by little, I added different elements to my live performance, leaving in the things that worked and taking out those that didn’t. Eventually I started adding things outside of performance work: still art, video art, tutorial videos, and eventually a store. I work in a very archaic, niche field, so the diversified approach to it has worked out in the long run. When something doesn’t work in one area, there are things that still work in another. So they all even out in a way. Read more>>

Taylor Bell

I always loved capturing the beauty I see in everyday, since I was much younger. I spent my high school days emerged in photo class. My career began in photography in 2016 I was hired as a full time photographer in a children’s photography studio. In 2018 I started slowly building my business while simutaneously still working full time at the studio. By 2022 I was ready to take the leap to go full time in my own business. Throughout the last two years I have had the pleasure of meeting and documenting the most amazing people. Read more>>

Rathi Varma

I was a back line corner dancer and wasn’t acknowledged for my dancing skills. But at 15, my mother enrolled me in a dance class in Mumbai, India, at Shiamak Davar’s Institute of Performing Arts (SDIPA). That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue dance. It hasn’t always been a full-time career for me, though. For example, in my early 20s, I worked as an illustrator professionally while dancing on the side. At 28, I suffered an accident and broke my forearm. The accident made me realize that I wanted to commit to dance full time. In 2018, I moved to New York, where I studied Contemporary, Ballet, Horton, and Dance Theatre at Peridance Center for 3 years. After that, I received the opportunity to work with several choreographers such as Anabella Lenzu, Dina Denis and Apollonia Holzier. Read more>>

Destiny Rogowski’s Story

My story started as a child, as young as four, i’d dress up and insist I needed my photo taken. Then later as a teenager dressing friends doing photoshoots in the yard, doing friends hair and makeup for prom, taking photographs for the yearbook staff of my high school.i just couldn’t stop. I was in musicals did hair and makeup, acted in them, helped build sets, took everyone’s headshot for the school display. Read more>>

Yashashree Samant

Long before I became a 26 year young copywriter living in New York City, I was a curious kid constantly confounded by the world. I’d too many questions, too wild of an imagination, and too little time and attention to pursue every hobby. Born and bred in Mumbai, India — I gravitated towards writing in school. Words shape narratives and narratives shape the world. Stories inspire creation, innovation, establish peace, their ability to weave magic or spew hatred. So when presented with the opportunity I took to studying mass communications in college, followed by internships, and further Miami Ad School.  Read more>>

Callista Gifford-dehart

One of my passions has always been fashion. Growing up I spent a lot of time at my parents’ dry cleaning business, which had a sewing department. I was taught by one of the seamstresses how to sew and immediately fell in love with creating and even re-working garments. Through my early years, I always knew I wanted to own a clothing boutique. Initially it was bridal due to my love of dresses, but what I didn’t expect was to get into designing swimwear, but I did it because I was tired of the same styles from stores that were of poor quality and design. I also wanted to make women feel beautiful in their skin and to embrace their individuality to feel confident and sexy in a swimsuit. Read more>>

Milli Cannata

My journey in real estate began while I was working in a work-study program at a child daycare center during my time in community college. A friend who worked at a local bar introduced me to the owners, who also ran a mortgage company. In hindsight, the daycare setting wasn’t the place to fund my dreams of opening my own co-op to teach kids financial education. I persistently asked the bar owners to hire me at their mortgage company. After months of persistence, they finally gave me a chance as a personal assistant to the owner. Read more>>

Katie Bray of Financial Vision Services

My journey has been a rich tapestry woven with threads of empowerment, transformation, and a relentless pursuit of a fulfilling life both personally and professionally. It all began during my tenure as the Director of Finance for The Islands of Tahiti, where I immersed myself in the intricate world of financial management. However, amidst the demands of corporate life, I found myself craving more than just a successful career—I yearned for a life brimming with purpose, balance, and genuine passion. Read more>>

Michelle Mumoli

I’m a proud first-generation American, the daughter of immigrants who came to the U.S. in pursuit of the American Dream. With a rich background in art and film, I’ve called Jersey City home for 21 years, having grown up in Newark, NJ. For the past 11 years, I’ve thrived as a real estate broker, partnering with professional athletes, entertainers, builders, and developers. My passion lies in helping others achieve their dreams of generational wealth, turning aspirations into reality for anyone ready to take that step. Read more>>

Catherine Moore

I’ve always been interested in art. I guess since I was old enough to hold a pen, a pencil, a crayon, or whatever, I wanted to do something in a creative field. I remember being fascinated by Disney animated films and wanting to work at the animation studio. But I was equally mesmerized by the Muppets and would have been thrilled to work with Jim Henson once upon a time. Read more>>

Phil Witte

I’m a freelance cartoonist. I draw single-panel gag cartoons. My cartoons have been published in dozens of magazines and newspapers n the U.S., and U.K., including The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, Barron’s, The Times (of London), The New Statesman, Private Eye., and, in collaboration, The New Yorker–all told, well over 1,000 so far. Read more>>

Naquan Brown

I started out my journey through writing poetry and being a massive bookworm from middle school all the way to high school and between those years my poems manifested themselves into songs the more I continued to be consistent by making it into a day to day routine to hone my craft and my art. It was that never give up attitude that what helped me get to where I am today. Read more>>

Pk Kersey

I was called for an interview by NYS DMV back in 1993. I was excited but nervous because I didnt have anything to wear to look professional. I was not going to go until my friend Pastor Sparks purchased me a suit and tie. I wore the items to the interview and got the job. After working for DMV for 20 years, and now a manager, I was now conducting interviews and began to see men come in unprepared. I felt bad because they were not being hired. I wondered what I could do. I then formed THAT SUITS YOU, a nonprofit to provide men with clothing for work, prom and graduations. It is a know statement that when you look good, you feel good and perform better.  We have been able to assist over 30, 000 individuals and I have also written 4 books to motivate and inspire the next generation. Read more>>

Justin Johnson

I’ve been a writer my whole life. As a child I was always reading books and making my own fan-fictions from the books I read. I got into poetry because I failed to have patience to be a rapper, but it worked out better this way! I’d like to thank my brief stint at university for not only reawakening my love for writing, but also helping me find a new love for poetry. If I hadn’t gone to the poetry show on campus I’m not really sure where I’d be creatively. Read more>>

Annalee Smith of Not My Eyes Inc.

From 2018 to 2020, I participated in a couple of Model Gigs and was signed to an agency in 2018. My success didn’t progress until 2020 when I met my model coach, Mrs. Jeannie Ferguson Goodlow, who introduced me to a modeling competition called Kurvacious Boutique. This competition is run by CEO, Tiffany Scott. Within that year, I competed against experienced ladies whereas I was the only one who was Visually Impaired. I became the runner-up for that year in particular. After the competition, I took one-on-one classes with Jeannie to perfect my signature walk. In 2021, I decided to enter the contest again and competed against 13 ladies, in that case, I was the only one who was Visually Impaired. Read more>>

Janice Parrott

I have quite a long intro in a previous interview, so to put things succinctly, I have been creating in one form or another for over 30 years. Doll clothes, one of kind dolls, embroidery art. I started making fiber jewelry pieces, which are really fun and challenging. I mainly create art pieces for art/craft shows, I do several a year, which is where I sell my things. Internet shopping, for me anyway, is slow to non-existent. So I like to sell at shows, where at least I can explain my pieces and interact with customers Read more>>

Tianna Davis’s Story

I was born in Long Island, New York to a mother from St. Thomas and a father from Trinidad. I have always described myself as a multi-faceted artist. I started dancing when I was six years old, and I fell in love with it. That same year, I moved to Broward, County Florida and I started attending American Heritage School. There, I continued to dance; so much so that I would go to my academic classes late because I would practice so much. During my childhood I also began taking singing and piano lessons. And when I was at home, I started writing music and lyrics and notating my emotions through language. And I also became involved in several school and community musicals and performances. During the summers, I would go to New York and attend the Alvin Ailey and Dance Theatre of Harlem summer intensives. I would work with other black dancers, creators, and artists. And I truly believe that seeing people that look like me succeed persevere inspired me to be the person that I am today. Read more>>

Latasha Burger of Sweet-T Plant Based Catering & A Spiritual Key Essential

My journey began with a desire for change – a change in lifestyle, in health, and in purpose. As a self-taught vegan chef, I embarked on a path that led me to not only transform my own life but also to touch the lives of many others through my vegan meal prep and catering business. In addition to my culinary endeavors, I also run a business where I offer spiritual readings and coaching. This venture is deeply intertwined with my belief in holistic healing. I believe that true wellness encompasses not just the physical body but also the mind and spirit. Through my readings and coaching, I give people guidance as well as help them heal themselves from past life traumas and find peace in this lifetime and beyond. Read more>>

Maeve Norton

In 2011 I packed up and headed to Pratt Institute to study illustration. While there, I was really lucky to study under Pat Cummings, who I lovingly call the fairy godmother of publishing. She opened my eyes to the world of children’s books and I instantly knew that was where I wanted to be. After a few years of hustling, networking, catering, you know the typical New York grind, I got a job at Scholastic in their middle grade and young adult department. This December I will have been there 10 years! Read more>>

Daniel Booter of D.B. Marketing Group

From a young age, I had a strong business mindset. I started by selling small trinkets, toys, and art pieces that I created, even before my teenage years. With the money I saved during junior year of high school, I bought a camera and ventured into photography & videography, launching the businesses that would lead me to D.B. Marketing Group. This experience led me to work alongside various companies on their marketing efforts, which eventually inspired me to create D.B. Marketing Group the summer after graduating high school. Read more>>

Maurice Harary of The Bid Lab

When I was in college, I had aspirations of working with a specific firm. Unfortunately, that firm only had a limited amount of openings. So, when a role opened up within their RFP team, I went for it. At the time, I didn’t have a clue what an RFP was– but I went for it anyway! Of course, once I actually started responding to RFPs (aka “Requests for Proposals”), I found that the work was both challenging and rewarding. Soon, I had worked my way up to be a top performer on my team. Read more>>

Deidra Moore of Law Office of Deidra R. Moore, P.C.

In 1996, as a single mom, to one child, and after nine years of full-time employment with TIAA-CREF, a Manhattan based company, Deidra quit her job as a commercial real estate paralegal to attend the City University of New York School of Law (“CUNY School of Law”). It would be three years later, in 1999, that Deidra successfully completes the demands of law school, and start her legal career as a Public Defender with the Legal Aid Society. As a Public Defender, she represented people of the indigent population – people charged with a crime; and who, for whatever reason, could not afford legal representation. Read more>>

Anu Sehgal of The Culture Tree

The Culture Tree was found in 2016. After having my own kids, I realized that there was a critical need for real, authentic and accurate depiction of South Asian culture and practices in children’s programming and education. There was also a big gap in teaching South Asian–American kids their native languages in a more relevant, fun and consistent basis. We have dual goals: 1) Raise bilingual and bicultural children of South Asian heritage who are knowledgeable and proud of their culture. 2) Educate the rest of the children and their families about South Asia, to remove any prejudices and stereotypes that exist about South Asians. Read more>>

Abigail Weinick’s Story

In college I studied English, however, I changed my degree to Digital Filmmaking after working on a film student’s project. I never thought that I would be able to make it in that crowd – my thought was that I had to be really good with the tech side of things to be able to make my own stuff. I learned so much during my time and it really ignited a passion in me I didn’t know I had. I always loved movies and tv but I didn’t think I could be the person making it. After graduating I worked as. PA on various tv shows and slowly worked my way up to where I am now. I currently work as a Showrunner’s Assistant and a Writers’ Assistant. I’ve had the opportunity to learn how the writers room works and I feel excited for what the future has in store. I even had the chance to write a few scenes of an episode this season! Read more>>

Tara Bench

I started a food-focused journey at Utah State University, studying Culinary Arts and Food Service Management. From early on, I knew I wanted a path different from my peers; becoming a chef or caterer didn’t appeal to me. My big break came with an internship at the Martha Stewart Test Kitchen, and it was a game-changer. I learned so much and was soon hired as a Recipe Developer. I worked my way up the editorial masthead eventually becoming Senior Food Editor for Martha Stewart Living magazine. Read more>>

Adam Odsess-rubin

I started National Queer Theater in 2018 as a response to the lack of safe and affirming spaces for queer artists in New York City. I had worked as an actor and teacher at the queer theater in San Francisco, New Conservatory Theatre Center, and I was surprised there wasn’t a space like that in NYC. The name National Queer Theater is a campy play on the idea of having a ‘national theater’ for America like they do in Europe- but one that is flamboyant, political, and full of life. Read more>>

Amy Lynn of Poppy + Lynn

Hello! I’m Amy Lynn- a wedding planner based in NYC (the greatest city in the world). My company is called Poppy + Lynn. I work with couples all over the world to plan their wedding day with flair, love, and a touch of whimsy. My clients are, and I mean this with so much love, weirdos. They don’t want cookie cutter, traditional weddings. We infuse so much personality and fun into a Poppy + Lynn wedding. Read more>>

Evan Bieber

I remember watching a home video from my first birthday and my mom opened up a mini keyboard and shouted “This is perfect! Evan loves music!” I have always been obsessed with music, sometimes in an awkwardly uncomfortable “we get it” sort of way. In high school, I was a huge fan of pop-punk and my favorite band was Something Corporate, so I started playing piano to be like my idol Andrew McMahon. I played piano up until college where I started teaching myself guitar. Read more>>

Gabriela Handal

I was born in the Republic of Panama. At around 20 years old I decided I would like to make a career as an artist, so I went to the Ganexa University of Art in Panama, where I got my undergraduate degree, and then I earned a Master of Fine Arts degree at the New York Academy of Art. The latter one happened in 2015. For the most part I have used drawing as a medium, but before, and during my undergraduate studies I tried other tools to produce work, such as oil painting, and acrylic. During my second year of study at the New York Academy of Art, I completely focused on drawing, and I have almost exclusively used graphite, and charcoal over paper since then. Read more>>

Jare’d Goodloe of Real estate agent

I’m Jare’d Goodle. I’m a realtor here in NYC. My business is primarily based in Brooklyn but I do service the other burroughs. I built my business out of the mud, from 70 contacts to well over thousands of contacts. I stand on this, the person I’m in front of today can lead me to the referral of a lifetime. Read more>>

Alanna Dennis

Originally from Montgomery, AL, our Executive Chef Alanna M. Dennis is a 2004 Cum Laude graduate of the International Le Cordon Bleu program and a 1998 graduate of Alabama A&M University, where she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Alanna has honed her skills in professional kitchens across Central Florida, including the UCF Radisson and Gaylord Palms Resort, and has worked with various catering companies at major events like the Disney Golf Classic. Read more>>

Satch Hoyt

I started my professional career in performance singing and dancing. in musicals in Europe, this was not the world for me I found it quite restrictive, from there I played in various bands, as vocalist also playing flute and percussion. I composed and recorded an album in London which was picked up by BMG Paris. Growing tired of London I moved to Paris and whilst living in Paris I met Grace Jones with whom I composed a number of songs. 7 day Weekend was on the triple platinum soundtrack of the 1996 Eddie Murphy film Boomerang. Shortly after that I bade farewell to the commercial music world and made the transition from music to fine art, which ensued moving from Paris to New-York, After a few weeks in NYC I met the late Greg Tate writer, cultural critic, and musician who at that time was still writing for the Village Voice. Read more>>

William Wright

I was struggling with my own mental health, as a young teen into early adulthood. When I got my own mental health in balance, I knew I wanted to support others in doing the same. I was always searching for a way to be able to help people in a way that felt authentic to me, and when I discovered coaching, I knew that was the right path. Read more>>

Anna Tagliabue

In my early twenties, I had a pivotal moment while working at Fendi’s fur salon on 5th Ave in New York City. Despite my love for fashion, I always grappled with the ethics of working with real fur. However, one season, Fendi unveiled a stunning faux fur coat that captivated me with its elegance and innovation, akin to a glimpse into the future. This sparked a thought: if we could replicate the luxurious look and feel of fur without harming animals, why not revolutionize the industry? Read more>>