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.

Jeffrey Schulz

Much of my initial learning came from looking at things and reverse engineering. Or dissecting a piece of furniture found on the sidewalk. But this only deepened my desire to make things, which led me to Cerritos College woodworking (specifically). Read more>>

Kirstine Reiner Hansen

I was always drawing as a child, it was very natural. I’m sure everybody says that! My parents would throw me paper and pencil and I’d be happily occupied for hours. In fact any creative project would have me intensely focused. Read more>>

Tyler Beauchamp

It can’t be said enough that if you want to write, you need to read. The more you read, the more you build your toolkit. You get drawn to imagery and plot structure and you start to pick up on what authors did to build those moments. The other biggest way I learned, was just to start writing. Read more>>

Julia Lopac

I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in art. Regardless of what it looked like or turned out to be, I wanted a pencil in my hand and my art all around me. So, where did it all begin? I was twelve years old, cranking out portrait after portrait of each member of One Direction like it was my full-time job. Read more>>

Genae Grabowski

As a Mixed Media Designer, I take techniques from one artform and apply them to a different art outlet. For example, I can illustrate a character in my sketchbook, use ink to outline details of the design, use a scanning feature to digitally color the design, repeat print the design for multiple options like tote bags, key charms, koozies, zip up pouches, buttons, branding, and much more. I always think about making the coolest design and how to reuse it multiple times for different products. Read more>>

Zach Harper

The way I learned how to do photography and videography came was the same why I learned how to do most things, which is YouTube. And specifically watching other videos of creators who I looked up to as well as beginner basics for using a camera. And from there, I fine tuned my skills and I’m still learning every day on how to improve certain aspects of my craft. Read more>>

Max Pinelli

-I learned to draw at first by looking at comics, games, and movies I loved when I was a kid. As I got older, I got more invested in making it long term, and set my sites on exploring further education at AAU, an art school in San Francisco. -When I think about my time at art school, I often lament the inclusion of general education in the curriculum. Read more>>

Dean Russell

With a passion for filmmaking that began at 12 years old, I attended the #1 arts high school in the country, LACHSA, where I was able to hone my craft with equipment that is used on professional movies and shows. In that time, I went on to create numerous short films and music videos that have been seen in film festivals throughout the country. As I grew older, I found a real passion for creating promotional video content. Read more>>

Josetta Monk

Learning the craft of acting is ongoing. When I first started out I was VERY naive and as I continue to blossom in this industry, I have quickly realized that I am and will be a forever student, constantly learning and evolving…and that’s ok, it is relative to the process. Like most cliche stories, I was a small town girl with big dreams who moved to the big city to pursue acting. Funny right?! Read more>>

Bryce Greene

I began dancing later than sooner. After years of other competitive and sporting pursuits, I took dance lessons to start a new hobby. The hobby became a passion, and that passion became a profession. If I would have known then how much enjoyment dance could bring, I would have certainly started sooner. Read more>>

Mark West

Over the years, my attitude towards learning has grown and evolved. I started as a student of the arts, and then I became a teacher of the arts, mentoring and teaching college-level arts and design students in a range of different types of colleges in the Pacific Northwest. I learned by being taught, I continued to learn by teaching, and perhaps most importantly—I learned by DOING, by trying things and by taking risks. Read more>>

Jaimie Beebe and Jake Deptula

We learned podcasting by doing it! Neither of us had done a podcast before and didn’t know the ins and outs of putting one together. We had to learn the technical aspects of it, how to find guests, marketing, editing, and story telling. While we both worked in TV & Film before podcasting is a much different medium to be involved with. Read more>>

Bryan Bixby

I learned just by doing. It was really the only way. There was some stuff I could learn by studying the comedians I liked, and books about writing comedy and being a comedian that prepared me for what I would find when I started doing it. With stand-up, you have to do most of the learning on stage, in front of strangers; succeeding or failing with everyone watching, because you need their response to evaluate your work. Read more>>

Ale Aguilar

I’ve always loved to do my own makeup and watching YouTube tutorials I would practice on myself, I spent hours trying to recreate a look I would see. Persistent and not giving up was most essential in achieving the look. When I started doing makeup on family and friends I felt so proud of my work, the only obstacle was myself not believe in my self and turning this into a career sooner. Read more>>

Stephan Ungerboeck

I am a trained game artist specialized in character art. I was educated at the SAE Institute in Vienna, over the span of a 3.5 years long course. There I learned the basics but when it came to more advanced techniques, I had to find them out on my own. In those cases I wished for a mentor to show me the ropes and explain the ins and outs in detail to me. Read more>>

Hidden Sound

I remember the first time I picked up an instrument, back in the first grade. It wasn’t just a way to escape the classroom; it turned into a lifelong journey. From clarinet to drums, my fascination with learning and practicing different instruments deepened my connection to the art of sound. I started understanding how each note and rhythm could weave emotions and stories together. Read more>>

Erene Olson

I don’t remember a time where I wasn’t singing. My parents say I started around 2 but I made my decision to take it seriously at 4. Read more>>

Savannah Martinez

I honestly learned through trial and error and watching videos! I definitely would have invested in more photography basics courses and reached out to other photographers sooner to shadow and learn from them. I think first and foremost learning how to shoot with my camera in manual mode (game changer), and second understanding client experience. Read more>>

Dylan Van Mieghem

Learning to do what I do now has been a Journey. When I first moved to Los Angeles I didn’t know exactly what it was that I wanted to do, but I knew that the only way I could figure that out is to put myself out there and try new things. I quickly started to explore different interests. The first thing I did was enroll in an improv class. Read more>>

Justin Barnes

The best part about being a content producer in almost any space or industry is the freedom and comfort knowing that (outside of a few pieces of software) there is no set path or craft to master like most folks do in the real world. Read more>>

Kendra Wiebke

I learned photography very slowly but with an innate eye. I started by picking up a camera and learned from taking many, many photos. Eventually, I took classes that helped stretch my skills and helped me see things differently. My favorite way of learning new techniques is from other photographers who are a few steps ahead of me and seeing how they do things. Read more>>

Virginia Cortland

My passion for photography really took off after a knee injury side-lining and ending my volleyball career. Photography was the next best thing to being on the court because it got me close to the action! On my 18th birthday, my mom surprised me my first DSLR camera. Read more>>

Natalija Stojanovic

Learning Scientific Illustration and Natural Science Illustration while teaching about the natural world and its wonders Read more>>

Danika Osumi

Everything I know now, one I was reluctant or fearful to do it, two I practiced and most likely sucked in the beginning. But 2 am in the bathroom with full face on so nobody seen me, hell looking back I looked ridiculous but in the moment I was killing it. I have learned to appreciate moments like that, the what I was thinking but also remembering in that moment that confidence or courage I had. Read more>>

John Romero

When I first started rapping I was really just inspired by my peers. One of my closest friends had inspired me to rap and he really showed me the ropes. He showed me how to record on audacity from there I went on to use Fl Studio. Read more>>

Leialoha Humpherys

A lot of people ask me how I got into self publishing, writing, and how have I been able to grow as an author in such a short period of time. The answer is that I failed… a lot. I learned everything that I know now from jumping in and starting. I didn’t let fear paralyze me so that I did nothing. Read more>>

Kristine & Charles Lopez

We’re a husband and wife team who specialize in wedding day photography. We’re based in Los Angeles, California but travel worldwide to document such special seasons in others’ lives, and we truly could not feel more grateful that this is our job. When we first picked up a camera, we were in two completely different industries. We were both working full-time and hardly saw each other from our schedules. Read more>>

Brent H. Robinson

The craft of storytelling is a world within itself. It’s truly incredible if you love it like I do. Read more>>

Daniel Giffin

I learned how to play drums at 13 years old when my dad bought my a drum kit only months before he passed away. I poured all my energy and emotions into playing drums and music, which honestly saved my life. Read more>>

Christopher Russell

I am an artist. I work primarily in ceramics, which I’ve been doing for 30 years. Over that time I have worked in various different ways. When I first got involved with clay, I was very interested in tile making. It brought together a lot of interests: painting, drawing, architecture, installation. Tile making is a way of producing something large with clay, working piece by piece. I liked that process. Read more>>

Fiona Stever

Growing up my dad played alot of Read more>>

Luis Espaillat

The process of learning the craft starting at an early age and how our ability to learn at different points in our life are reflected though this. Read more>>

Kevin Earl Taylor

I developed my process through years of experimentation and utilizing failures as a vital tool for learning. Read more>>

Dianne Hoffman

The artistic medium that I’ve grown known for is a form of mixed media called “Assemblage” utilizing salvaged and recycled objects. Many of these broken bits have often been disregarded as disposable debris. Through my art I am able to bestow a second life on these materials with a new found purpose by turning damaged and displaced items into perplexing characters in dimensional worlds that relay metaphor and allegory. Read more>>

 

Learning the craft of music Read more>>