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.

Jacquelyn Owens

I began singing as a preteen with my youth choir. Singing is all about having opportunities to become better and better in addition to practicing. At a very early age I would record myself singing and listen back with the goal to be come better. Since then I’ve had hundreds of opportunities to sing live and I improve every time. I began writing seriously right after college. My craft was developed as I started participating in writing sessions where I learned the process. After being introduced to writing sessions, I began writing on my own almost daily. Through this repetition, I’ve developed my craft. Believe me, the early songs were a little rough! But as with most things, the longer you keep at something skills are developed.  I could have sped up my learning process by becoming more technically proficient in my instruments. However playing by ear does have its unique advantages and has worked out well for me.  Read more>>

Jordon Haynes

I first started when I was a kid I loved hearing the songs and just started playing along with them. When it comes to what I could have done to speed up the learning process is probably enroll in official lessons. The most essential as of know is one I’m still learning which is getting comfortable on stage. One of the main obstacles early on was finding more people to play with Read more>>

C.j. Benoit

I think the best learning process for a musical instrument is to make as much noise as possible on it til it eventually sounds good. It’s the most Punk Rock approach to it, and you find YOUR sound on an instrument. . . . Or barring that, neighbors, friends, and family members might chip in for lessons. Read more>>

Maddox Beverly

The majority of the skills I have acquired can be attributed to my time under the guidance of Professor Thad Duhigg. Serving as Thad’s assistant for a semester was a transformative experience, providing me with hands-on training and exposure to a wide array of techniques and disciplines. From mastering the versatile uses of plaster to constructing sturdy crates designed for safely shipping artwork, the knowledge I gained was both practical and deeply enriching. One of the most captivating skills I learned was the process of working with wax to create molds for casting aluminum or bronze. The ability to transform a simple, formless material like wax into something structured, precise, and enduring felt nothing short of magical. Witnessing the metamorphosis from a fragile wax model to a robust metal sculpture gave me an immense appreciation for the process and the material itself. Beyond these specific techniques, I also learned the art and precision of welding, along with several other essential skills that are integral to creating and handling art at a professional level. Each lesson taught by Thad emphasized the importance of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and respect for the materials, instilling in me not just technical proficiency but also a deeper understanding of the creative process. Read more>>

Isaac Priest

To be 100% honest, I don’t think there’s a way to speed up the learning process of acting. It is a craft where learning never ends, no matter how successful you are. For me personally, training with respected people within the industry is how I get better. I’ve been fortunate to train with people like Tom McSweeney and Shirley Pierce, as well as develop my skills through programs at NIDA. Each opportunity has given me new tools to bring depth and authenticity to my work. That said, some of the best training I’ve ever had has come from being on set. There’s nothing quite like the intensity and collaboration of a film set to sharpen your instincts and push you as a performer. I’ve been privileged to work with incredible directors like Baz Luhrmann, Ron Howard, Sarah Spillane, and many more talented creatives. Watching their process, learning how they communicate vision, and being part of their storytelling has been invaluable in shaping my approach to acting. Read more>>

Keana Whetstone

During the pandemic, I found myself navigating intense anxiety as a stay-at-home mom with only my three-year-old for company. A close friend of mine, a talented artist in New Orleans (@mewdoo2ma), suggested I try embroidery as a way to manage my anxiety, especially during evenings when I found myself endlessly doom-scrolling. I decided to give it a shot, picked up a simple kit from the craft store, and quickly discovered how soothing the repetitive motion was for my mind. After that first project, I never looked back—I decided to create on my own terms, exploring techniques and ideas without relying heavily on tutorials. Whenever I encountered challenges, I would brainstorm with my friend, which became an essential part of my learning process. Read more>>

Sam Kessler

I did what I wanted, the way I wanted to do it. I still am. While this sentiment might come across as lacking substance on the surface level, it embodies a deeply vital core message I’d love to expound upon. As a small preface, I’ll ask this to you, the reader; are you actually doing what you enjoy, the way you enjoy doing it? And what’s motivating your approach to that? Are you having fun? Because truthfully, I don’t do anything with “learning” in mind; I by far value more the process of creation itself. From my experience, the most essential skill any creative can have is to follow that base motivation and no other. In my eyes, the greatest obstacle to creativity is TRYING to learn more. Read more>>

Sabrina Orro

I’ve slowly and steadily worked on learning this craft my entire life. I’ve always had an inherent need to perform. When I was super young, I used to stand in front of the T.V. and imitate whatever show/movie was playing. I also insisted on performing improvised shows at every family gathering. The first time it really clicked for me was when I saw the national tour of “The Lion King.” I remember thinking, “I want to do that!” But, it took me a long time to figure out how to get started. My first taste of training was dance class when I was 3-years-old. After that, I jumped at every chance to perform through church and school plays. My brother, Joshua, was a big inspiration and influence on me. I completely idolized him, and I wanted to do everything he did. So, when he joined our school choir program, I joined our school choir program. When he started taking drama classes in middle school, I wanted to do acting even more! Then, when his school drama teacher suggested we audition for a community theatre, I NEEDED to do it.  Read more>>

Justin Lewis

I jumped in—that’s exactly what I did and how I grew creatively and improved my performance craft. It was like diving into a slightly chilly pool for the first time, headfirst. Jumping in hasn’t always been in my nature, but it became a defining part of me when I discovered my love for songwriting and performing. The process is simple: play the open mics, write the bad songs, sing the off notes, and build connections with your peers. Over time, you find yourself more at ease in the water, moving beyond the doggy paddle and truly learning to swim on stage. The most valuable skill I gained from this experience was learning not to be afraid. The more passion you pour into your craft, business, or career, the more confident you become in navigating the process. With that confidence, stepping onto stages of all sizes—without fear of mishaps or malfunctions—it became second nature. The result was my performances consistently improved, every single time. All from just jumping in and listening to my peers.  Read more>>

Julie Ortegon

I didn’t always see myself as a jewelry designer or silversmith. In fact, the idea came as a complete surprise. I spent so much time encouraging a friend to pursue the craft, imagining how incredible it would be for them to learn and create. Then one day, a thought struck me like lightning: Why not me? Why couldn’t I be the one learning and making these beautiful, wearable silver pieces? That realization changed everything. I signed up for classes with a local jeweler in East Williamsburg, here in Brooklyn, and from the moment I shaped wax and metal with my own hands and polished my first chunky, oddly-shaped silver ring—I was hooked. J.Poetix was born! Read more>>

Metakate

I learned how to write a song from my late friend Van Bates aka Black Hesher. When we met he taught me how to format the poems I was already writing and make them into songs. Everything else has been a learn as I go experience, I learn new things from other artists all the time. I’ve had artists that have helped me with my breathing, that have helped me with ad libs, with my singing, with writing, with promotion, you name it. If I knew what I knew now I would have expanded the amount of people I was working with sooner as like I said, there’s something to be learned from every single person you work with in this industry. The skill that’s been most helpful to me is being open minded and willing to take constructive criticism from anyone. The biggest obstacles that have stood in the way for me are work and relationships. I often find myself getting too wrapped up in a job or too distracted with a relationship that I let it take me away from creating and that has definitely repeatedly been my biggest set back that I’m trying to learn from. Read more>>

Lia Bai

Standup comedy is truly a performance art—there’s no step-by-step guide or formal training to teach someone how to be funny. For me, learning the craft has been all about doing it, often through trial and error. Every set, every laugh (or awkward silence), has been a lesson in what works and what doesn’t. Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
 If I could go back, I’d give myself a big motivational push to write and perform more often. Comedy is like a muscle—you’ve got to exercise it consistently to grow. The more I write and get on stage, the faster I improve. But let’s be honest, forcing myself to write might have required a stronger coffee habit too! Read more>>

Aiyla Paulin

Practice! Practice! Practice! Truly, practice as an artist is essential. When I was younger I had a natural talent for most things, anything creative came very easily to me. Natural talent only brings a person so far. It began with a simple pet portrait using a technique I had learned in a college class. If you took a look at my first portrait compared to the one I finished last night, you wouldn’t believe the same artist made them. Each time I booked a new commission I got better and better. Each stroke of paint or pencil becomes more confident and doubt in my abilities begins to fade. Read more>>

Sandra Postma

At the end of 2021 I started my training to become a book coach with Author Accelerator. I received my certification six months later. Even though I raced through the programme because I loved the work so much, it had been a long road to get there. For the past decade I had sought to spend the little energy that I still had – due to several debilitating chronic illnesses – in a way that fulfilled me. During this period I wrote for myself. Short stories, blogs, novels and even scripts; I wrote a lot. Then I found book coaching through a lucky online search and my whole world opened up. Read more>>

Mason Jar

All of my knowledge in illustration can be traced back to life drawing. For those who don’t know, life drawing (or figure drawing) are open classes where people pay to draw nude models holding a variety of poses. It feels very traditional, like something you might see in an art history textbook. But it’s still practiced by artists today and I have found the skills it’s given me to be fundamental. It has taught me to be quick, consistent, but also patient with my own process. I am not a technically gifted illustrator and I have had to struggle my way through acquiring my visual vocabulary. But at this point, I can say what I want to say.  Read more>>

Bobia

As a kid I discovered my passion for singing by performing to an invisible audience. Singing to myself, listening to music, and replicating what I hear. Performing the music videos I would see, but in the comfort of my bedroom. I joined choir & theater in 5th grade and kept going throughout high school. Through choir and doing musicals I was able to discover how my voice functioned. I was able to learn proper singing technique and what my vocal range was. I was able to take those experiences and that knowledge and apply it to the kind of music I wanted to make. Read more>>

Andrew Gomez

i was introduced to the craft by a friend, he showed me a backpack he made and i was immediately interested. I picked up alot from friends and watching youtube but i got the most out of my mistakes. Eventually i would get hired at Louis Vuitton in the repair shop, this is were i really got an education in bag making and using different sewing machines. I loved working there but i ended up leaving for many reasons but the main one was to go work for a man named odin at “odin leather goods”where i work currently. Its only been a couple months but i have learned so much about running a business and how to make all kids of different wallets and bags. I would say the most essential skills i have is to repair LV bags and completely take apart a bag and restore it. I love restoring vintage bags and bringing them back to life. Read more>>

Christopher Toussant

I learned how to write and compose music by studying from other musicians that has inspired me, I’ve only completed three years of music at two different community colleges, but with that training has also helped me to understand what my next moves should be in creating music. Honestly I’ve learned more working on my own, with YouTube , trial and error teaching more than any institution could. It has taken me a couple decades in true to really figure out who I am, and how I would like that to come to light within my music, and I’m still on that same path trying to learn who I truly am to this day. I want to give the audience the same magic most great artist, and very few achieve, and that is authenticity, and that amazing window into ones self creating that bond of humanity as they say keeping it real. At then end of the day I’m no star, or some super human being, I’m just a person that loves to create music, and feels that the best should be given of me at all times so that who ever chooses to listen will experience the same, hopefully feeling and seeing the same within theirselves. Read more>>

Sebastian Schiff

I was educated at the University of Youtube, or at least that what I like to tell people. In other words, I am self taught, so a lot of my knowledge comes from intuition, trial and error, and youtube when I want to learn a specific skill or process. The first time I made something out of clay was in my freshman year of highschool. I made a pinch pot, a teapot, and an animal sculpture, and then I would not touch clay for another six years after that. In 2018 I found clay at a time when I was not looking to begin an art career, but more so looking to find peace and stay out of trouble. Not having a teacher, I became my own and began exploring with air dry clay. A big part of my learning process was learning to build and fire my woodfire kiln which allowed me to fire my own work, and learn at my own pace. In 2020 I learned to build a kiln by studying the kilns used by the amazing artisans in two Mexican towns who’s art I adore, called Amatenango Del Valle, and Los Reyes de Metzontla. Using free bricks from craigslist and stones from my backyard, I built a five-foot-tall woodfire kiln that could fire up to 2300 degrees. In 2022 as I was finishing up my bachelors (sociology) at Cal state East Bay, I took a beginner ceramics classes to fulfill my credits requirement, and mainly so I could have access to their larger kilns. I was taught by the awesome Professor Jennifer Brazelton, and learned how to build larger forms, build sculptures using an armature, mix glazes, and took advantage of some fun prompts to begin exploring more of my own expression, and adding more meaning behind my work rather than just technical exploration. Read more>>

Max Savaiko

When I first started, my art was very flat, it had no depth or focus. At the time I was painting whatever I wanted and brought to a local art critique group, who advised I take lessons with a local artist. I found him, and he taught in a French Atelier tradition, and to my luck he was right in my town. He taught at night, and I was working a full-time job like most artist do to survive and was able to attend at night – so it was perfect. This was a serious class which started from scratch and re-taught me everything. We started at drawing, gray scale, color, painting etc… I studied with him for four to five years, and still didn’t complete everything. Looking back on this and depending on your life situation, I guess you can speed up the number of lessons you take or shorten the duration of classroom learning. But to fully understand the craft of painting and art it won’t matter until you are able to ‘see’ as an artist what you are doing. To achieve this, you need to practice what you learn and hone your skill to paint and blend different color notes to create a beautiful composition. Read more>>

George Thomas Foskaris

My life as a photographer started in January 2010. My father gave me his 35mm camera that he had used to take pictures of his family in the 80s. At that time, I was a touring musician – a drummer – and I felt the need to document my life, travels, and the new faces I would meet. Almost immediately, taking pictures developed into something that I felt so genuinely connected to. As someone who loves people and loves this world, and as an optimist, capturing life through the camera lens was a way for me to share how I viewed my life, and how I admired the people and things around me. Read more>>

Erica Doran

I’ve been performing from a young age but I really fell in love with musical theatre in high school. From there I knew I wanted to pursue a career as a singer and actress and was fortunate to study musical theatre in a competitive BFA Program at Syracuse University. My education at Syracuse also afforded me the opportunity to study in New York City for a semester, fully immersed in the city where it happens with acclaimed professionals as my instructors, and that education was immeasurable. I was easily able to transition to living in New York City as soon as that semester finished. When you’re a performer, the learning is never done. Even after finishing college I continued taking voice lessons and attending professional workshops and coachings throughout my entire 15 year tenure living as a professional performer in the City. I think the more you can study and the more perspectives you can gain from industry professionals, the better off you will be in the long run. Read more>>

Ivan Moreland

My primary mode of musical expression is the cello. However, I was not always interested in playing the cello. When I was in the 6th grade, I really wanted to play the alto sax. I signed up for band, and on the first day of school the band director sent me home with an order form for my parents to fill out, to buy a saxophone for me. The price of the saxophone was close to $2,000. As much as my parents wanted to buy me saxophone, they simply couldn’t afford it, as I was the youngest of five mouths that they had to feed. After several months of sitting in band class without an instrument, and watching the other students learn to play their instruments, the band director told me that I could no longer be in his class; and that I would need to choose choir or orchestra (where the school provided the instruments). I chose orchestra. Read more>>

Fedra Yazdi

I am very committed to my craft.  I show up to my studio regularly, dedicating 6-8 hours painting. Sometimes, when I’m not in the studio,  I do exercises on color theory and other related studies to stay connected. I never stop learning, and practicing.  I’ve also attend workshops. Ultimately, the most important thing is maintaining a consistent painting schedule while continually pushing your boundaries to explore and learn new techniques. Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? Taking a break from a painting you’re stuck on, whether it’s for a day or even a week, can make a big difference. I often find it refreshing to start a new project, but I’m always committed to finishing what I’ve started. I return to the original painting unless it has major, irreparable flaws only then I walk away for good. However, the time apart often gives me the distance needed to see the work with fresh eyes and renewed perspective to complete my painting. Read more>>

Emily White

I actually learned most of my foundational painting skills in high school art classes, where I was lucky to have a teacher who encouraged experimentation and technical growth. I also took introductory drawing classes at a local art college during high school, which gave me an early taste of more formal training. Later, I went on to get a BFA and initially majored in illustration for a year, where I mainly focused on watercolor techniques. After that, I switched my major to sculpture, so my college years weren’t particularly focused on painting. My real education in mural painting came after college, through hands-on experience. I learned by watching others, interning, and paying close attention to how more experienced artists approached their work. There’s so much to gain just from observing how skilled people problem-solve in real time. Read more>>

Dan Caplan

Though I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Illustration/Fine Art from a University, I did not go to an “Art School” with a focus on the Entertainment Industry. Outside of a unique insight on Old Master painting techniques from a maverick professor named Saul Bernstein, I got more of a survey of techniques, not specialized training, and only a basic familiarity with the procesess of Storyboard and Concept Illustration for Film. So I continued my education with some stand alone courses offered at the old California Art Institute and the Animation Guild’s Animation Art Institute. I learned some fundamentals from veterans like David Jonas and Bill Frake, and augmented with books like “Shot by Shot” by Stephen D. Katz. Read more>>

Richelle Priscilla Smith

When it comes to learning my craft—mainly watercolor portraits (both live and in-studio) and origami flowers—my journey has been about curiosity, creativity, and persistence. Honestly, a lot of what I’ve learned came from YouTube and consistent practice. I know it might sound funny to say, “I just watched a ton of videos,” but they really helped! As a shy student, I often found it hard to ask questions or seek help in a classroom setting, so I turned to resources I could explore on my own time and in my own space. Read more>>

Karla Guindi

I initially learned on my own, my mother is an actress and it was very interesting to me to come up with looks for the different characters she would play. Later, I studied Fashion Design in Mexico City, New York and London. I think I learned everything I could at the time, I was obsessed with learning and soon after I started working, and nothing speeds up your learning process like the pressure of a job. I constantly tell my students that the most important skill is knowledge, good books, good art, everything that can end up being your references for work. Also, by working, just training your eye. Thankfully I don’t think there were any obstacles to learning more, in fact, I now learn from my students. Read more>>

Savannah Heiden & Darby Attard

How did I learn to do what I do? We both learned floral design through hands-on experience, mentorship, and continuous self-learning. Starting and meeting in a in a flower shop, we developed our design skills and learned the logistics of the floral industry. Later we founded Lush and Wild Flowers, where we honed our craft and took on the business side of things. What could I have done to speed up my learning process? I wish we had pursued more structured business education early on, such as workshops or courses in entrepreneurship. Connecting with other business owners sooner could have also helped us avoid some early mistakes and gain valuable insights. Read more>>

Gracie Bone

I learned so many valuable tools from my friends and people in my creative community. My good friend Be Hunter(@beshootin) was the first photographer I worked with. He taught me how to be present in front of the camera, letting go of doubts, and staying consistent. I also want to shout out Keniece Walker(@kenieceee), creative director, model and social media manager, for casting me for tons of projects and allowing me to have top notch experience in this industry, as well as words of encouragement and posing expertise while creating a great energy on set. I wouldn’t have been able to do half of what I’ve accomplished without my community. Knowing what I know now, fully taking ownership and claiming my craft sooner would have sped up the learning process. The skills I believe that were most essential would be to always give yourself words of encouragement during modeling. Have gratitude for your body, and fully commit to the moment every time. You can see the difference in the photos. Read more>>

 

James Segovia

I first started making beats when I was 17, I was actually on vacation in Cancun, Mexico with my family. It was the first day of our vacation and while we were settling into our room, I was on my dads phone watching youtube when i came across a video of a producer remaking “Bank Account” by 21 Savage. Now growing up, I would always hear music in a different way, I always knew what was coming in a song before hearing even hearing it, i mean that as in certain sounds, structure of a song and what notes the instruments/vocalist would go to at the certain moments. Basically, I always had an ear for music. That being said, watching that producer remake that beat, it seemed so easy that I downloaded Garage Band on my dads phone and began to remake that same beat. I kept going that entire vacation remaking popular songs beats and when i got back home my dad bought me a mac for my birthday. Since that day I have never stopped making beats/working on something musically. I also play piano which I taught myself at the age of 12/13, and now at the age of 23, I am a beat maker, a sample maker, piano player, recording/mixing engineer, and a studio owner. Read more>>