One of the most daunting aspects of pursing a creative or artistic career for many aspiring artists is not knowing how to learn the craft. So, we asked some very talented artists and creatives to talk to us about how they learned their crafts and we hope their stories will help you in your journey.

Sharmaarke Purcell

Acting was my escape from myself and way of traversing my deeply complex feelings and emotions. After my move to La in 2021, I’ve studied at the amazing playhouse west and will begin studies at the equally amazing Steller Adler Academy top of 2024. When it comes to the craft, I’ve learned that time isn’t against you, it only serves to assist. Read more>>

Ashton-Kaleigh Narlock

I was lucky enough to grow up with a mother who was very artsy and into crafts while I was growing up. As her children grew up, she began to pursue her own art career and that inspired me. I learned a lot from doing art with her. Art has always been a part of my identity. I didn’t necessarily think that I would pursue a career in the arts though because I didn’t think I had enough talent. Read more>>

Carlos Rosado

As the sole owner of a clothing brand, there are so many elements to learn. From production, photography, graphic design, marketing, and videography, the list goes on. I was lucky enough to learn most of these skills in college. I attended Full Sail University and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Arts & Design. Read more>>

GINA PECHO

I learned how to actually use a camera in high school when I enrolled in Photography classes, and that continued on through learning in college, but I don’t think I was actually able to put those skills to use until I was fully immersed in it day to day at a full time job later in my late 20’s shooting for Hautelook & Nordstrom. I was rigging lighting, using different camera techniques and setting up my own set every single day there. Read more>>

Lisa McCague

Many years ago my sister saw an infomercial (remember those?!) for painting with acrylic paint on glass. Being the crafty person I was, she immediately demanded I learn this new craft so I could paint glasses for her wedding gift! I happily obliged, because crafters gonna craft. And my new favorite hobby was born! Read more>>

Nestor Gomez

As long as I remembered I always love writing. However, the first time I told a story at a Moth stage it was meant to be only as a way for me to get over my fear of public speaking. As a child growing up in Guatemala I suffered from a speech impediment, I stuttered. That problem was aggravated when my family moved to Chicago undocumented in the mid 80’s. Read more>>

Brennon Peters

I love creating! Creating a world that lies between story and real life is magical. The learning process is never done. You learn by doing and by going and find services from other professionals in your field. The investment of yourself is key. Read more>>

Yinan Liang

The best way to learn the craft is to make something. The most essential for beginners is that finish is always more important than perfect. I’m still trying to find the balance between time and quality. I don’t mean to lower my anticipations for my work, but I try to set a clear view of the most essential part of this work? What level of detail I’m pursuing? How long am I expected to spend on this one? By doing that, the learning can be more efficient. Read more>>

Ryan Harmon

As an event professional, I firmly believe in the power of continuous learning and leveraging the knowledge and expertise of those who have paved the way in the event and hospitality industry. Throughout my career, I have adopted a sponge-like mentality, absorbing information and insights from industry veterans in similar fields to enhance my own capabilities. Read more>>

Ewa Lipińska

I enjoyed drawing from a very young age – I’m no different from other artists here. I mainly drew horses as a child – it was my obsession. Then I studied architectural drawing, thanks to which I got to know the principles of perspective and learned new techniques – ink and watercolor drawing. I have very fond memories of both the teacher and the classes however, I felt that this type of drawing was not meant for me because it did not allow me to express myself. Read more>>

Ella Beyer

My Dad is a touring drummer, so when I was in elementary school, my parents would take me out for 3 weeks to follow him on tour in France, Italy, and Spain. I was 6 or 7 years old standing on the side of the stage feeling so inspired by the way that the audience was moved by the music; singing along to every word. That’s when I had the idea that I wanted to do something in music. Read more>>

Trini Viv

My journey of music production started with teaching myself through resources like YouTube, using bits of knowledge and techniques to experiment with sounds. At this time, the only instruments I was familiar with was the steel drum and piano. I played the steel drum in elementary school while I lived Trinidad, and became fond of the piano when I moved to the states. Read more>>

Elena Borum

I don’t believe there is a fast way of learning anything. I understand what I do today, I am able to do what I am today, and do it well because of the time it took. I always used art as an expression for myself. I dealt with poor mental health for the first time in Middle school and would draw what I felt. Read more>>

Emma Trithart

I’ve been making art ever since I could hold a crayon! Throughout my childhood I was always doodling and experimenting, trying to improve my work while also using drawing as a form of self expression and escapism. I was lucky enough to have extremely amazing parents, who saw my passion and supported me in applying to and attending art school. Read more>>

Elliot Andre

There are many different ways to learn a specific art form, regardless if it’s photography, painting, etc. Fully immersing yourself into the art and surrounding yourself with individuals within the same scene, I feel, is the best way to develop skills and learn about where you fit in this space. I spent 2 years being an assistant to a photographer who happens to be one of my best friends. Read more>>

Sean Cohan

The learning process has been on going for a long time! Ever since I can first remember getting my hands on those classic Crayola magic markers and colored pencils I’ve been developing as a visual artist. Fortunately, my Mom is a watercolor artist which exposed me to drawing and painting at an early age. I think just having access to the materials and seeing examples of artwork around the house naturally planted the seed. Read more>>

Michael Gonzalez

If I’m going to play characters with my voice believably, I had to become an actor first. That was my main obstacle as I didn’t have an acting background. I took an acting course and a singing course in college, online courses including one from industry professional Crispin Freeman, a commercial voiceover expi with 3 coaches, and I had my network, friends and family listen to my voice giving me ideas of my range. Read more>>

Britton Buchanan

I learned how to be a musician and songwriter by really diving deep into the work of other musicians and songwriters I admire. You can’t get better at what you do without immersing yourself in work that is better than yours. You learn through experience and through studying those who came before you. Read more>>

Mrs Fury

I really began to hone my craft during 2021. I always have creative ideas, but just hadn’t found the medium to create within. Read more>>

Alex Walter

Pottery is a craft that take an intense amount of practice to perfect. Most of us have had a pencil and paper available to practice 2D art since we were babies but 3D art is often less accessible. As such when you start throwing pottery, even if you have a particular talent for it, you’re bad. Read more>>

Toby Cote

I learned my crafts by taking workshops, joining groups with like-minded people and eventually teaching which I find are all part of the learning process. Skills can be learned and honed, but I think its the notion of knowing which skills I needed to improve and improving what you are good at! Obstacles were obtaining the proper tools and materials. I learned this by talking to different people and researching recommendations. Read more>>

Matthew Brown

I am a digital ninja. I live my life with technology at my side, and crave the constant influx of future technology and it’s potential impact. Having this desire at my side, I knew my creative vision and eye for small form content creation would be unmatched, I am a unicorn in the world of photography and videography, living an active life with a disability known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Having a disability is my super power. Read more>>

Dudley Salmon

I learned what I’m able to do now by following through with my passions. I carved out the ton necessary to improve my skills on my instruments, as well as the techniques necessary for producing music although I had some formal training I would have benefited from more, especially when it comes to music production. This possibly would have saved me some time and frustration. Read more>>

Raihyah

I think learning the craft of acting is such a beautiful thing. I know everyone wants to go straight to the big screen (myself included at a point), but there’s so much beauty in what you can learn before you get there. I started taking my first acting and modeling classes at 14, learning the basics of acting and modeling. Read more>>

Vincent Manzullo

I have always respected the craft. Lyrics stood out to me early. Rhyming followed. Rhythm was from the beginning. Read more>>

Annesta Le

When I first started my art practice, I was consumed by self-doubt and insecurity about my work. I heard about a big open studio event where artists open up their studios to the public. I was terrified of this, but the building owner encouraged me to participate. I was filled with anxiety, but I decided to take the risk of being vulnerable. Read more>>

Kevin Gibson

I’ve always wanted to do something in the realm of the performing arts. Music was a logical choice, seeing as how it was a important part of my life. Read more>>

Donna Cooner

I was so naïve when I first started writing for children. I thought because I was a teacher and spent so much time reading children’s books, it would be easy to write one. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Picture book writing is much like poetry. Every single word must be carefully chosen to have the greatest impact and the pacing has to be perfectly matched to the age group reading the story. Read more>>

James Ly

Learning photography was easy for me because of my background in film. I studied film and media in college, so when I picked up photography, all the essentials I learned from film and video translated over. I believe understanding the basic knowledge of photography propelled me the most in my photography journey. If I had anything specific I wanted to know, I would go to YouTube to help answer my questions. Read more>>

Kyle Thiele

How I learned to do what I do was simply by trying. I never took a painting class and found that just playing with the medium was a great puzzle for my brain to solve. Adapting to the canvas and medium was an essential lesson. Not always controlling the interaction between paint and surface and reacting to the moves or mistakes I make. Read more>>

David Olivera

The class room was so quiet, the only sound that could be heard was the AC unit humming the cool air out of the system. Reading and writing comprehension in the fourth grade was a very focused time, and as the teacher looked up, overseeing the students, her attention was immediately caught by one of her pupils in what seemed unusually common yet perplexing. She slowly rose up from her desk, standing as a silent sentinel tower, with her eyes scanning across the room. Read more>>

Mr Julz

I have since been able to set up my own personal home studio, which cost me a lot but it gave me full control over my production process and also made it possible that anytime I had inspiration I could just turn the laptop on and record an idea immediately. Read more>>

Quameisha Moreno

Learning how to create music has been the highlight of who I am as a person. I now understand when people say that music saved their lives. Before music, I always considered myself as a creative and tried different things. I’ve made nail polish, I’ve made accessories, I’ve done nails and hair. Nothing quite compares to making music. Read more>>