Do you remember the moment you realized what you wanted to do professionally? Was it magic? Was it scary? We wanted to hear from some of the most talented artists and creatives in the community and so we asked them to tell us the story of the moment when they knew they were going to pursue a creative career path.

Ryan Njenga

Since I was young, I knew I wanted to do something creative. I’m a big world builder and loved how television shows create whole worlds on to themselves, with fully realized, distinct, three-dimensional characters. Once I found out people had to write the shows and movie we all grew up on, I spent a lot of my free time at home writing scripts – I loved the idea of creating worlds and telling stories of everyday life, both the funny and not so funny parts. I was really influenced by shows like “Arrested Development”, “Cheers” and “The Simpsons”. I was obviously a little too young to fully grasp all the humor and pathos, but I kept at it til screenwriting became second nature. Read more>>

Alexandra Squire

I’ve always been creative. I can’t remember a time I didn’t want to get my hands dirty and make something. I grew up surrounded by art. Both my grandmothers were painters. My aunt is an artist and my mother trained as an artist. I remember as a child going to art museums with my Grandmother and talking about color and texture. Read more>>

Drew Barham

I realize not everyone sees life through my eyes; but if they did, they would be soaring high in imagination, flooded with big dreams, and captivated by seeing the beauty in creation. When was the first time I knew I wanted to pursue art? Great question, I am not exactly sure, but I know I always love to see the world and the beautiful things in it in a creative way. Read more>>

Ana Latese

I believe I have always known since I was a young child that I wanted to pursue art professionally. I went from drawing on the walls in elementary school to drawing DC comic characters for my English teacher’s classroom in high school. Art has always impacted my life positively and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. However, I always heard the term, “starving artist”. This pushed me into pursuing film at university, which backfired. Read more>>

Keegn

Since I was a kid, I always had a love for music. My family members always tell me that when I was younger anytime a song played I would pick up a spoon or hairbrush and start performing singing it as loud as I could. That love eventually turned into something I chose to pursue when I graduated highschool. My grandfather was a huge inspiration to me growing up and he sadly passed away my senior year of highschool and I think that was the point where I decided to pursue music professionally because I knew it’s what he would’ve wanted me to do. He always told me to do what I loved! Read more>>

Charlotte Schembri

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was always drawing, painting, or participating in crafts with my family and friends. We would buy art supplies at Michael’s and then create our crafts during sleepovers. I always looked forward to taking art classes in elementary school as it was my favorite subject. Read more>>

Kanda Parrott

I’ve always really known it was a part of me. I started drawing very young, before school age, and throughout school I was always doodling in sketchbooks, on homework, and whatever else I could get my hands on. When I was in second grade, my family moved from a large city to a much smaller town and being the new kid, I wanted to find a place I could fit comfortably. I wasn’t sure where that would be. Read more>>

Allyson Caire

I’ve wanted to pursue a creative career for as long as I can remember. My mom recently found a drawing I did around age 6 showing that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I always loved to draw and paint and took art classes throughout school. I took an artistic break for a few years but still continued a creative career path in advertising and public relations – an industry I decided on during a 7th grade career project. Read more>>

Lauren Harris

I first knew I liked doing this when I started just dabbling in making artwork digitally through Adobe Photoshop as a teenager. I would play around with making things for fun and then the older I got I started realizing this may be my calling. I took a long break for quite a few years when I didn’t have the program anymore. I then got back at it in 2017 and started slowly again. I am a self taught artist and learned a lot of things on my own. Read more>>

Enrique Ferrer

I started in music as a drummer, taking private lessons after school. At first it just seemed as a hobby for a teenager. But eventually I started playing in different bands, until I became part of “Cocobeat”. This was perhaps my first “professional” experience in music. We went to the studio and recorded a full-length album. This was the first time I had been in a recording studio, and the overall experience was simply magical. Read more>>

Solija Mitzi Rian

As someone who was unsure of themselves and their path during the first year of college, I thought I would end up somewhere in the STEM field. When you’re around this age and when you’re an immigrant kid from the Philippines, there’s a lot of pressure to have a job that “really” supports you. As a child, I was in touch with a more creative and authentic version of myself. In high school, I totally lost that. Read more>>

Elias Strebe

Growing up I always had a HUGE interest in art and fashion/fashion design. I loved sketching fashion illustrations and doing fashion shows with my dolls. I only really had an interest in woman’s fashion and illustration, so I never thought I (a biological man) could possibly put myself in the shoes of the people I was admiring and looking up to so much. Then, at 14 I learned about and started Drag. Read more>>

Darcy Dunham

I always knew I wanted to pursue the creative arts in a professional way. Ever since the early 2000s when I would watch Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, I always imagined myself being on the screen — not being the person watching the TV. That seemed like a distant dream of mine until I got into college. That’s where I got an internship with the university’s marketing team, and I was able to create new programs like the Cardinal News and initiatives like Take Over Tuesdays so students felt more engaged and informed on campus. I was able to see my creativity turn into income for not only myself, but for those, I work with. Read more>>

Hsuan Chung

When I was 11 years old, my mother gave me my first camera. It was a Canon T70, and it was a semi-automatic 35mm film camera. At that time, I knew nothing about photography and cameras, and I thought it was cool to carry a camera with me. From then on, I took this camera wherever I went. Some adults would ask me what film I use, and I didn’t know because I didn’t use one. Until one day, my uncle bought me a few rolls of Fujifilm Superia negatives and taught me how to put them into the camera. After shot with those films, I took them to a photo studio to develop. When I found that I had to wait two weeks, I thought it was time-consuming instead of felt excited. Read more>>

Karen Keene Day, Wild Horse Artist Day

I was selling my art on a small scale when our children were still growing up. It was not until they were in junior and senior high that my sales began to expand by going to shows, first locally and nearby towns, and later to other states. Because I had already made the decision as a young mother to stay at home with our children and focus on them until they were grown, I really didn’t know where or how I would pursue a career in art. I just knew that Art was what I wanted to do. Read more>>

Love IV

I would like to say around 2015 it was like a light bulb popping above my head. I use to make little catchy Melodies that everyone since my high school day use to mimic. I figured what would happen if I turned these into actual songs. Sooner than later I locked in a session and went to work creati my my first single “Batman & Robbin”. Me being my worst critic thought little of it but it began buzzing around his small town of rock hill, SC. That’s when I knew I could actually do this as a career choice. It actually felt like I was chosen for this. Years down the line multi-genre artist “Love IV” was born. Read more>>

Danielle Smith

I think as far back as I can remember I wanted to be an entrepreneur. When I was younger I dreamt about owning a clothing store. I worked my way up in various retain clothing stores for years until I felt I had a better understanding of how one operated. When I was 26 yrs old I opened my first business, a vintage clothing store in Asheville, NC. I was blessed at the time to have had the opportunity to live and work in both a commercial/residential house. I was able to cut costs by living and working in the same space. Read more>>

Susan Parrish

As a young child, I watched my mother live a creative life by sewing my clothes for my sister and I. At Easter each year, she made beautiful garments and regularly created complimentary hats and purses. By the age of five I was extremely interested in the craft of sewing. My mother allowed me to use any left over cloth. She even allowed me to use her new sewing machine. When my father first saw this, he said “but she will sew her fingers” and I did. But I kept sewing, making Barbie clothes and stuffed animals at first and soon my own clothes. Read more>>

DJ Thirsttrap

I first knew I wanted to be a DJ when I went to this party at my college my freshmen year and the DJ they had was playing horrible music. At that point I was like I could do that but better. So I grab my laptop and started watching videos on youtube and learning the in and out of the DJ software “Virtual DJ & Serato DJ”. From here I would do small kickbacks and even do the music for the school’s basketball games. Read more>>

Tyler Herron

I first knew i wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally when i found out there were many outlets to get paid from this. I quit my job at Subway and never looked back. I took creating music very seriously and would sometimes sacrifice sleeping or hanging with friends just to be successful and start making the right moves, Read more>>

Jon Garcia

The first time I can actively remember thinking to myself that I wanted to be an artist (a vague job title my 8-year-old brain had) was when I was at Dale’s Planet Comics in Midland, TX. I was browsing the new books and I saw the cover art for X-Men #1. It’s the iconic 4-page wide pullout illustrated by Jim Lee that had all of the X-Men confronting Magneto. The illustration was mind-blowing especially to someone who had primarily been reading Archie Comics up to that point. Read more>>

Charles Gilbert

As cliche as it sounds I always knew I wanted to pursue being a content creator. As a young child growing up I always took my action figures and made movies with them, with a score (Music) to go with it. I did the same with my wrestling figures I would get in a creative space and make wrestling shows and create storylines so you can say I have always had a creative mind. However, as I got older I wasn’t in that creative space anymore it was not until I enrolled in college and switched my major from Computer and Electronics Technology to Communication & Media Arts. Read more>>

Alessandra Mayr

I graduated college in May 2020. Well, technically, because I never actually had a graduation. And as you can imagine, it was extremely difficult to find a job because of the pandemic. So after months of applying to companies that would ghost me and that I knew I’d be miserable in anyway, I decided to take matters into my own hands and monetize my socials. At the time, I was lucky to have built a small following on Instagram (~15k) throughout the years, almost effortlessly. Read more>>

Logan Deason

You know how in elementary school they always ask you what you want to be when you grow up? My answer was always an artist. I remember writing it down in 4th grade specifically. Although, I didn’t have a specific craft that I loved, I just thought being an artist would be cool. I have always had a creative mind with anything that I did. It wasn’t until I was a stay-at-home-mom trying to navigate motherhood and make an income from home that I decided to put my creative thoughts to use. It took me a while to really figure out exactly what I wanted to do. Being creative has never failed me and I’m thankful I never gave up on my artistic side. Read more>>

Orna Feinstein

My interest in art began in childhood when I was visiting my father’s workplace. He was an incredible silversmith, with impeccable eye hand coordination, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. This place was the first creative influence. The second influence came from nature. I have vivid memories of collecting seeds and flowers as early as age six, studying their patterns, colors and how they change throughout the seasons, and life cycles. Read more>>

Sheena Whitlock

Hafa Adai! That means hello where I’m from—Guam. Sewing first sparked my interest in 2012, when I saw other young ladies sewing at a craft night at church. That Christmas, after my parents bought me my first sewing machine, I taught myself to sew by watching youtube videos and joining Facebook groups. As I learned, I made clothes for my four kids and posted photos of them in their new outfits on social media. It wasn’t long before friends and family started suggesting that I start a business they could purchase my creations from; so that’s what I did. Read more>>

Monique Hazellief

It was about 12 years ago and I had got a job at a career based college as an admissions rep. The pay was way more than I had ever earned, but to be honest, I hated it. I didn’t believe in what I was basically “selling”. Imagine sitting at a desk, making at LEAST 100 cold calls a day, 90% of which either weren’t answered, or were answered and then swiftly hung up in our face. Long story short, my disdain for the job showed up in my performance, and I was let go. First and last job I was ever fired from! Shortly after, my girlfriends came over for a girls night to cheer me up and during our many many discussions, I asked for advice on what I should do next. Read more>>

Norah Levine

My “knowing” of when I wanted to spend time pursuing a fine art path wasn’t dramatic or sudden. It showed up as a quiet, subtle whisper. I’d been in the creative arts for many years as a portrait photographer and educator and loved it. Creating has always been a part of me but pursuing a fine art career felt like a big leap in many ways. I held on tightly to the identity I had worked so hard to build for myself as a portrait photographer. Read more>>

Mavrick Vo

I started acting when I was in freshman / sophomore year of high school in a theatre class. I was elected randomly to take that class, and little did I know on my first stage performance for a musical called “Snow White & The Prince.” I found out that acting was one of my hidden talents, the following year we had a special guest who did stage combat, and she taught us many things from punches, kicks, reactions, and weapons. Read more>>

Patsy Collins

Movement has been a part of my identity from a young age, but I don’t think I knew how much it would consume my life until I discovered movement research during my undergraduate studies. I grew up sporadically training in traditional Irish dancing and competitive jazz, and wasn’t exposed to modern and contemporary movement forms until I was a student at Emory University. There, I experienced the creative freedom provided by the vessel that is contemporary movement and have been enamored by it ever since. Read more>>

Tony Nava

What sparked my creative path, is the day I came to Atlanta. I took photos occasionally in 2018, but nothing seriously or creatively at all. Wasn’t until around 2019 is when few friends told me about a local studio in Atlanta called Cam Kirks Studios. The day i went and stopped by I will never forget it. All the portraits they had up, the people I met that were inside, and just the culture that surrounded the place. I never knew this existed and that you could do photography on this creative level. That’s when it sparked, and I wanted to become an artistic creator Read more>>

Hendricks

I started singing in my church choir when I was about 12 years old. I was pretty shy growing up so singing in the choir helped a lot with my confidence. The more I would sing,the more skilled I’d become. I eventually became the go to birthday singer amongst my friends and family. On one particular birthday,I serenade my friend and she was literally moved to tears and was so appreciative. It was at that moment that I understood my gift and I wanted to share it with the rest of the world. Read more>>

Bryanna BenderFord

As a teenager I had strong feelings I would be the best version of me as an entrepreneur! I didn’t have a exact clue so I stared walking dogs, working odd jobs and now at 28years old working with animals again. Read more>>

Michael Barclay

Michael Barclay

During my college years I started playing guitar and ended up playing in a few bands for fun. After graduation, I started performing some of my own music with a trio. With a full-time job and being newly married, music became less of a priority. While working and raising kids, I continued to write songs, but didn’t perform. Right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I kept trying to think of how I could be a positive influence in the world. I knew that things had changed and a lot of people were in pain. Read more>>

Vincent Mattina

I always loved to draw, ever since I could hold a crayon in my hand. I was captivated by what worlds you can create with simply a coloring tool and a piece of paper. My earliest memory was in kindergarten where I was recognized by the whole class because I could draw the best Bat-mobile! Like most kids of my generation I wanted to be an astronaut, my 2nd choice was artist. I suppose that is where my fascination with science started, watching NASA rockets take off and men walking on the moon. Read more>>

Gypsy Bae

Naturally, I’ve always been drawn to alternative routines and holistic remedies. In my mid 20s I decided I needed begin a different but familiar path and approach to my life. There were a lot of things I felt weren’t working for me anymore so I created change. I started by creating things to help my spirit and self esteem. I didn’t know a lot of people were into a more spiritual lifestyle like myself so I was surprised when I got so much positive feedback when I started reading tarot cards publicly. Read more>>

Toni Mason

I call myself the Mary Poppins of Preschool Dance. I am full of energy and love teaching little dancers. How did I get started? Well, this has all been a childhood dream. I remember being 6 years old, riding down Pendleton Street here in Memphis seeing slippers on a churchyard sign. My eyes grew big when I saw those slippers. Keep in mind, I had never seen a ballerina nor a ballet. But I was glued to those slippers. I asked my mom could I take classes and she replied, “No, Toni, I don’t have the money.” I didn’t say a word. I sat in the back seat of that blue Ford four-door car in silence. Read more>>

Brett Phillips

I always knew from the moment I picked up a guitar that it was all I wanted to do with my life. Nothing else really mattered to me at the moment. I got my first guitar one summer break in middle school and spent the entire summer playing at least 5 hours a day. I’d carry it around the house, noodling while watching TV, or intently learning my favorite songs by ear. It was really exhilarating to finally find an interest that wasn’t playing Nintendo 64 with my friends. It felt productive, and I knew I had a lot to learn. Read more>>

Kayla Pendleton

I really loved to draw when I was younger. Particularly, drawing dresses. When I was in middle school I found myself interested in drawing various outfits and creating a “design” name for them. It’s funny now because I can remember the design name for it which was Bunny (with a halo on top of it). I knew I was going to be the next fashion designer, especially because my mum taught me hand sewing and I had support from my friends and family for a dream that was bigger than myself. Read more>>