We asked some of the most talented folks in the community to talk to us about projects they’ve worked on that they still think about, projects that really meant something. Have you had such an experience? Are you looking for inspiration for your next project? Check out the stories below, they are exciting, entertaining, and most importantly – inspiring.

Josefina Wright Arevalo

For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed drawing and the process of making art. At an early age I would rent out books from the library in hope to learn new ways of approaching art. Throughout my life I would practice the majority of my art in sketchbooks. Read more>>

Summer Joy

Making art is all about being authentic to yourself, so in that I’m learning that I really wanna take my time with that. I’m discovering new things about myself everyday, so I apply that to my art. However, something hard about that is shutting out all the other voices and influences that make you want to compare yourself to everyone else, when really you just have to listen to yourself. Read more>>

Jen Brannon

My career as an architect began in a traditional way, with a formal education from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in France, where the curriculum encompassed various forms of design—urban design, sculpture, painting, and architecture. Read more>>

F. C. Zuke

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition and a Master of Fine Arts in Expanded Media. I have always had a tentacular approach to my own education, reaching into formal and informal sources of information and grabbing onto whatever ideas I could find. Read more>>

Ren Liu

I started learning pottery at a local community college. I think as ceramics have gained so much popularity in the recent years, it has become more inaccessible and inexpensive so enrolling in community college was a huge life hack. Read more>>

Robert Lewis

Most of my skills were self taught. I have also had some really awesome mentors along the way. In the graffiti world YGEA was my graffiti mentor, and in my sign painter career Mike Meyer out of Chester, Iowa is my current mentor. Read more>>

Marissa Motley

I have worked as a fashion historian and archivist for the past year and am currently in a master’s program at New York University. As a former stylist, the use of inventory tracking and other practical skills was really helpful with that career transition. Read more>>

Christina McGrath

For most of my life, I never considered myself an artist. My passion lay in wellbeing, understanding the body, and exploring different sports. Creativity was never on my radar until I encountered a remarkable woman who shared my love for yoga and surfing. Her wave art captivated me. Read more>>

Abby Dengler

When I first started editing, I didn’t know of any editing-specific programs. The publishing industry is very opaque, and I had no idea I could be part of it. I just knew I loved writing and that I loved helping other people write. Read more>>

Hayley LaCava

Ever since I was young Ive loved the idea of capturing moments and taking photos. In high school I had asked for a camera and my mom ended up getting me one for Christmas. I was so excited and brought it with me everywhere. Read more>>

Rain Sullivan

Learning to write a novel is definitely a Choose Your Own Adventure kind of saga. You get the idea to write something incredible, the idea chews tirelessly at the back of your brain, you finally, finally, sit down to write it, and haven’t the faintest clue of how to begin… Read more>>

Jolyn Young

I wrote a book and learned to write jokes by absorbing knowledge wherever I could, in bits and pieces along my path to publication. I leaned heavily on WritersDigest.com to learn the technical aspects of how to write my book, such as how to write an engaging first chapter. Read more>>

Emma Bradford

Before the dreaded Covid lockdown I was working as a production designer and art director in film and television. I was living out the dream that I had been working for from the age of 10, but it was starting to feel a bit unfulfilling. Then the world shut down and I found myself trapped in my home with a lot of free time and a friend’s sewing machine, which she had left with me a few months prior while she traveled to Spain to teach English. Read more>>

Victoria Mnatsakanova

I was able to recognize my passion for teaching and photography early on, influenced in part by my grandfather’s hidden artistic legacy. The early exposure to his architectural files and portraits evidently sparked a lasting fascination with creativity within me. Read more>>

Carol L. Dougherty

We all learn to write in school to some extent. If you’re lucky, as I was, one or more of your teachers (mine was my 10th grade English teacher) pushes you to do more than get by, and you realize you’re capable of more than you think. Read more>>

Mr A2L

Well as a singer, rapper, producer and manager I do slot of things. I started everything I do by learning online, watching YouTube videos and so motivational quotes on Facebook and Twitter. I feel like the process would have sped up if I had people to help me or motivate me. Read more>>

Erfan Ebadipour

Funny enough my now permanent process started out as a solution to procrastination. My music production mentor had a challenge going for some of his friends and I where we made a beat a week and submitted it. Read more>>

Jonny Lurie

The process of learning music is a lifelong process. What I have learned so far has been a combination of many things from self teaching to lessons to gigging experience to YouTube, learning songs by ear etc. Read more>>

THOMAS GUERRERO

With over 20 years in advertising as a creative director, I’ve leveraged my experiences working with other creatives, photographers, and directors to shape my career path as a photographer and director. Talent is just one piece of the puzzle; the other pieces are equally important. Read more>>

Margherita Andreani

I began my journey into photography through a combination of formal education and first hand experience. I am what you can call a self-taught photographer. I did take initial courses for the camera basics, but even before then it was trial and error. Read more>>

Darren Coyle

I am a filmmaker and a television producer. I make a living as a TV producer, but there are many skills that overlap from one to the other. Many years ago, I knew I wanted to make movies, but I couldn’t afford film school. So, I got a job as a PA on a reality TV show. (A job you basically needed a name and a heart beat to qualify for.) And while I did that job, I spoke to as many people in the crew as I could. Read more>>

Leonard Chapman

Drawing came naturally to me, like an instinct I couldn’t ignore. I remember being a child, captivated by the gentle voice of Bob Ross on TV. His landscapes were mesmerizing, but it was the way he transformed a blank canvas into something alive that truly spoke to me. Read more>>

June

I learned the art of songwriting through a journey of trial and error, navigating the intricacies of the music industry by immersing myself in the studio environment. Understanding vocal recording techniques and song structure was pivotal, but what truly propelled me forward was following my gut and intuition. Read more>>