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.

Xaviour Smith

(Collective Laughter) “…that on our team? He is a boy, and just look at him, something like that is not what we are going for on this team…ever and will never.” Amongst an array of similar negative remarks and tactics, these are some of the many negative things that I was subjected to by my then high school coaches that were appointed to nurture and educate me through the art and sport of interscholastic dance, the crushing realization that I came upon was that a team that I worked so hard to help build and show up for in so many ways, was working so hard to separate themselves from me, because of my gender and look. Read more>>

James Roan

I first knew I wanted to become a hip hop artist and pursue music when I was 22 years old because I love it so much when I was 11-12 years old. When I lived out in New Jersey, my grandmother loves to play music around the house so I would listen to a little bit of everything she had. People like Aretha Franklin, Boyz II Men, Luther Vandross and others. I use to write a lot of lyrics in high school because hip hop is telling a story and I have been through a lot in my life. I didn’t have a full time father figure in my life and at a time me and my mom weren’t close but we got close later on in life and i love her to death. Read more>>

Givan Onuaguluchi-May

I’ve wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, I wrote musicals with my mom and performed them at our church. People came from far and wide to see our plays. The feeling I got from that was irresistible. But back then, I couldn’t see acting as a feasible career. I didn’t act again until I was 18 years old. Once I finally came back to my first love, I knew I wouldn’t leave it again. Read more>>

Aaliyah Nicole

Honestly? I think the moment I realized I had to pursue music professionally was somewhere between singing in the church choir as a kid and turning every life crisis into a melody by instinct. Growing up Haitian, Jamaican, and Panamanian, rhythm and expression were basically part of my DNA, but the church gave me that foundation—the discipline, the soul, the “don’t hit that note unless you’re ready to mean it” kind of training. Read more>>

Skylar Edberg

Because food is my favorite form of art and storytelling. I’ve always loved turning everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. As a kid growing up in LA, I was constantly surrounded by movie sets and production magic, and I think that energy stuck with me. I was the type to build food sculptures, host imaginary cooking shows, and dream up wild recipes with whatever was in the pantry, all for the fun of it. Read more>>

Matthew Thomas Komorowski

I’ve always been a creative storyteller ever since high school english class. My teachers would always comment on my imaginative narratives, ability to craft compelling stories, and to think outside the box, which sparked an early passion for creative writing. I’ve always had that passion for entertaining others whether it was telling a story or joke to someone, acting out a funny sketch, being goofy with my friends, or just a simple conversation. This fascination extended beyond the classroom and into the world of television and film. I love being able to watch a story and get swept up into that world. The feeling like you’ve known these characters and grew up with them, becoming apart of their town or world. Read more>>

Sebastian Siren

Growing up, I was always an alternative kid, immersed in SoCal’s Y2K skate and beach culture, punk and ska scenes, with the proximity to Hollywood, which eventually called me north to LA, where I spent the majority of my 20s and early 30s. At the time, I felt trapped by the monotony of Orange County’s suburbs, but looking back, I think that’s exactly what inspired me to seek out creative scenes and ways to express myself more vibrantly–it just took me a while to understand that I could turn those things into my career. Read more>>

Goody Tyler

I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path in college. I was always a writer, even at a young age writing in my diary. Once I graduated high-school, I would listen to music and these ideas for videos would come to mind. I started writing them full out and honestly, I just sat on them for a while. I had a high-school friend who had since moved to Atlanta and began working as a model. She really inspired me to just “go for it.” I emailed her a few video treatment ideas and asked if she thought they were good. She did! She forwarded them to a video director she knew, and although grateful for her, I did not have my hopes high for a response from him. Read more>>

Broxa Benesh

I started taking piano lessons at a very young age and grew to love performing and arranging my own music more than anything. Music was a way for me to express both my joys and my grievances and as I grew more experienced I became comfortable in my compositional side, especially finding a love for film composition. I believe that films are a way to connect people with emotions they may not be able to express themselves. They are important in helping us relate to our own life experiences- told through others’ stories. The music that accompanies these experiences help us connect on a deeper level, and I wanted to be a part of that. Read more>>

Whitney Lee Moeller

I have always struggled a bit with my mental health, as is often the case with creatives. As a child, I found great comfort in the arts as a form of self expression. My parents supported my interests and encouraged me as I pursued theatre camps, singing, and instrumental music. In high school I became very driven and laser focused on my musical pursuits, almost to a fault. As an adult, I have had to learn to let go of some of my perfectionism and embrace the chaos from time to time. I had a variety of music teachers growing up. Some inspired me and lit a fire in me to learn more. Read more>>

Klint BeastWooD

I come from a family of musicians so learning to love it was never an issue being as tho I lived in a household where music was always being played…. Now actually wanting to be apart of it stems from watching my grandfather DJ or play piano as well as watching Yo MTV Raps as well as just being fascinated by albums like The Chronic or The Purple Tape and also even some video game soundtracks Streets Of Rage Series and The OG ninja gaidens to name a few. Read more>>

Doug Yowell

When I was 3 years old. I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. I grew up in a home full of musicians and instruments. I gravitated toward drums and knew immediately. I told my dad I was going to be a drummer and needed a teacher. I also told him I was going to play with Elton John. In 2018 I got to record on a track for Elton with producer Nick Littlemore at Power Station NYC on a remake of the song, “Are You Ready For Love”. I felt every hair on my body stand up when I heard Elton’s original vocal from 1977 coming into my headphones it was surreal. It was like a worm hole in time back to my 3 year old self to hug and say … “ you did it!!” Read more>>

Kevin Scott

This is a tough one to answer, as I wanted to pursue several paths before I got involved with music, among them being an American history teacher, and also an author of plays and books, but somehow music has always been a major component in my life.

The first recollections of hearing music was when I was living in Harlem, and my father was a big jazz aficionado, so I heard recordings by Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Dinah Washington, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Hartman and many others, and this was indeed an ear opener when it came to this side of music. Read more>>

Dozie Oheri

It was this year, after uprooting my life from Houston to Dallas, that I decided to pursue art professionally and put my all into it, to see how it would grow. Prior to becoming an artist, I was the Founder/CEO of a nonprofit in Houston, TX for seven years. This is actually my second time being published in CanvasRebel. The first time was years ago and focused on my work with the nonprofit and how we were impacting the community. And now, after a major career transition, I’m being published again but this time as an artist. I guess it’s a full circle moment… one I never saw coming, but one that feels divinely aligned. Read more>>

Alisa Tovmanyan

I think I’ve known I was on a creative path for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I was always creating something, whether it was arts and crafts, doodling flowers, or sketching dresses. I remember drawing on my tables, filling the margins of my homework with designs instead of focusing on assignments, and spending hours flipping through fashion magazines. Read more>>

Annika Hautmann

Hi, thank you so much for having me. When did I first know I wanted to be an actor? It’s hard to pinpoint a specific moment, because honestly, it feels like that desire has always been a part of me. As cliché as it might sound, I think I was born with that creative pull — that instinct to observe, to feel deeply, and to express. It wasn’t a sudden decision; it’s something that’s always lived in me, growing and evolving over time. And I know it’s an all too well used answer and I myself keep hearing the same story over and over again. But in my case it also happens to be the truth. I always say that for me acting was never a choice. It chose me. Read more>>

Aude Christale

All my life, I attended Catholic schools, from my early years in Cameroon to when I moved to the United States. While those schools offered many strengths, they were not always the most encouraging environments for creativity outside of structured classes, given their traditional principles. It was not until sixth grade, when I took an art class at St. Mary of the Lake, that I truly discovered art for the first time. Read more>>

Alexander

At a young age I’ve always created I would draw on my mother mail with an ink pen instead of the supplies, sketchbook she got for me as a child and as I got older art was always a major outlet for me which became my life. I’ve been confident but also questionable of my ability or to even consider myself a professional artist, as many do I would compare myself to many artist present and before me if I could actually be a professional but low and behold I was always a professional artist just needed to give myself credit let the art speak for itself. Read more>>

Mo Nique (Mo)

From a young age, even back in elementary school—I knew I was meant to be my own boss. My family could see it too, despite being a little tomboy, I was still a total diva with big ideas and an even bigger personality. One of my earliest nicknames was “Boss Lady,” and I’ve carried that spirit with me ever since. Read more>>

Matt McGinnis

I’ve been into art for the majority of my life. I started with pencil then moved on to pen-and-ink drawing black and gray realism with BIC ballpoint pens. I joined the Army when I was 18 in 2005 deployed to Iraq for 15 months and got out in ’08. But when we were deployed, word got around about my artistic ability, so people started coming to me with their tattoo ideas. So I would spend anywhere from 10 to 20+ hours on these frame-worthy pieces and just gave them away. I didn’t charge anybody anything. I figured I would be drawing anyways and always needed new ideas so I figured the challenge and the experience would be payment enough. Read more>>

Paul Graves

I WAS MANAGING AN ARTIST AND I GOT HIM BOOKED FOR A SHOWCASE…..AND THE HOST DIDN’T SHOW……THE PROMOTER ASKED ME TO HOST OUT OF EVERYBODY……HE ASKED ME…..IT WENT WELL AND I’VE BEEN DOING IT EVERY SINCE Read more>>

James Bowden

At the age of 11, I knew I wanted to be an artist. Adults, looking for conversation, would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. My response was that I wanted to be an artist, an archaeologist, a paleontologist, a biologist, a park ranger, and a vet. They would chuckle and explain that I could not be all of those things and would have to pick just one. As it turned out, they were mostly wrong, because I have worked professionally as all of these, in my adult life, except for the vet (which I fulfilled with a job by working with animals). It wasn’t until I was 47 years old, that I started my own business that encompassed my art work. It is with all of my prior job interests and experiences which have formed the basis of my jewelry creations, that revolve around the stories in the rocks, fossils, plants, animals, and history. Read more>>

Thomas DeCarlo

I’ve known most of my life that I wanted to pursue a creative profession, but it wasn’t until my early 30s when I decided which path to pursue and what that life would actually look like. Since early high school, I had been involved in everything I could get my hands on: theater, photography, music, film, writing, and numerous forms of design. By college I had narrowed things down to filmmaking, but my interests still ran the gamut: writer/director, cinematographer, set photography, film scoring, etc. Read more>>

Erin Dalton

Was there ever a single moment I knew I was meant to pursue music beyond a hobby? Was it a series of moments, reminders to tuck away when I began to doubt myself? Do I “succeed” or “fail,” depending on whether I am “making a living” at all times by this music? Like waves on an ocean, I ebb and flow in and out of these questions. Read more>>

J-Twon Dope Hertz Entertainment

My dad was a drummer and liked to frequent live shows. With him being super man in my eyes, I loved to tag along whether he wanted or not lol. I was 9 years old when he maybe had no choice but to take me with him to practice with his band for a gig that night, and this was the first time I got to see him and the band rock. Of course I was in complete Ahhh watching him and them absolutely kill it, but it was the reactions from the club staff and and few temp workers setting up. They were dancing, laughing, cheering, crying even. When the band was leaving stage, the way that everyone was feeling, talking, and simply enamored by the experience…… at that moment, though I was very music literate, I actually felt that this is what I wanted to do, needed to do, had to do. Read more>>

Tonia Allen

I first felt the pull toward creating art about 20 years ago. I set aside becoming a professional artist, while continuing my career as a stylist and makeup artist. Two years ago, I finally gave myself permission to turn my passion for art into a profession. Read more>>

Sachi Osmond

I never grew up around the industry, but as a kid — before we could afford proper Wi-Fi — I’d have movies downloaded onto my memory stick, and I would watch the same movies over and over. I knew all the lines by heart and would recite them to myself, almost like studying them. Honestly, that’s how I taught myself to act ha! Read more>>

Megan Davis

I remember being little girl watching models like Tyra Banks and Noami Campbell on runway and thinking to myself I can do that I wanna be just like them when I grow up seeing beautiful black women on tv in my generation see women that look you like made young black girls feel beautiful and seen from that day forward I knew my purpose. Read more>>

Yulia Spiridonova

I grew up during the Perestroika era in post-Soviet Russia, in a small town called Kolomna, about two hours from Moscow, in a family of engineers and intellectuals. My grandfather’s Zenit—a Russian point-and-shoot camera—was a constant presence. I began photographing at the age of nine, and taking pictures during vacations and summer camps quickly became my greatest excitement. I remember arguing with my mom about why I needed more than three rolls of 35mm film—what, after all, was I so eager to photograph? Read more>>

Tori Brindis

I think a part of me always knew I wanted to follow a creative path, as music and dance were such a huge part of my upbringing. By the time I got to high school and was spending my summers at intensives, camps, and workshops, I felt inspired enough to want to the chase the performer’s dream. At that age I had no idea the wide spectrum of job opportunities that fit under the “dancer” or “choreographer” category because people really don’t talk about it enough! Growing up on the East Coast and visiting New York often, I just assumed the only path was to be a dancer on Broadway. It wasn’t until I started going to a summer camp called “Show Choir Camps of America” that my eyes were opened to a completely different world. Read more>>

Najah Moeser

I’ve always felt connected & drawn to music since I was a child.. I loved listening to it, singing along with or dancing to it. Unlike most kids, I preferred staying home and learning songs as opposed to going out. I would always pretend as if I was in front of an audience. As I got older, I started performing in talent shows, plays, pageants etc. and was quite the ham on stage! I booked my first professional gig during my junior year. I was hired by the athletic director at St Francis college to perform for several professional female athletes. Many of whom were WNBA basketball players. I realized I can truly make a living at this. Read more>>

Mosheh Ellison

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue an artistic career path started at a very young age around 5-6 years old. I was spending a weekend with a cousin of mine who happens to be around the same age as me. He had choir rehearsal and I remember being in awe just seeing and hearing the choir sing while wearing their robes. It’s like the simmering fire that was already there in me had been doused in gasoline and it wanted to consume everything! It made the desire to sing out even more prominent. So much so I told my mother I wanted to live with my cousin after that weekend. She had no idea it was all because I wanted to sing. We still laugh about it until this day. Read more>>

ShawnDon Damarko

In the heart of Brooklyn, where rhythm pulses through the pavement and stories echo from stoops and subway stations, a young ShawnDon Damarko began to absorb the world around him—not just as a boy growing up in Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant, but as a future storyteller with a voice destined to resonate far beyond his block. Read more>>

Alyssa Ellis

Well… my 1st dream was to be a princess, A Disney princess to be exact. Growing up and watching Disney movies. Was the most magical part of my childhood. Listening and seeing the amazing people attached to the voice of the princesses I loved, I wanted to do that as well. So, I would have a competition with myself. To see if I can hit higher notes than them. And from that day forward I fell in love with music. Read more>>

Søren Nellemann

I have been an artist all my life (doing my own comic books as a kid), but when I was in by 20s I had no stories to tell and I wasn’t ready. So I had to go through some life experiences to arrive at the point I am at today. So every artist journey is unique. Like David Bowie said: “You become old just to discover who you always wanted to be”. That’s me. But it wouldn’t be me without my journey. Read more>> 

Joshua Williams

I had always been drawing since I was a child, but I knew I wanted to pursue an art career seriously when I was about 12. I had moved from one city to another and struggled with the transition. In moving, I found out that I had severe learning disabilities making school environments challenging. Because of this, making visual pictures became my way to communicate and learn. Though I had a deep desire to learn, I found the language of school itself to be challenging. and drawing became a way to cope with that hardship From then on I continued to pursue it. My work started being more illustrative, but gradually became more expressive. Read more>>