Are artists born or made? To help answer this question, we asked some of the most artistic folks we know to tell us about how they knew they were going to pursue an artistic or creative path. We’ve shared highlights below.

Anna Broadway

I’ve loved creating stories for as long as I can remember but there was one year in elementary school my parents got me a camcorder for Christmas that kind of changed everything. I was in about 5th grade and I decided I wanted to make an hour long movie entitled “Normal Life”. It was starring my neighbors, my brother, and I recorded/directed it (with a few cameos, of course). After about 6 months or so, I edited it together and we had a “red carpet” premiere at our house and invited our block. That was the first time I think it clicked for me that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. Read more>>

Emily Grenald

When I was young watching my sisters and people dancing in videos it just made me want to explore my talents. Read more>>

Brittany Ault

I was destined to be a hairstylist from age 3… maybe earlier. When I was a baby my Mom came home with a spiral perm. It was the 80’s. I must have known a bad perm from birth because I screamed non-stop and wouldn’t let her hold me for days.

I grew up in Montana in an extremely small town. The first thing I ever wanted for Christmas was a kit with curlers, f*ke scissors, make-up and all sorts of beauty supplies. I had 4 sisters and my Mom had very little time or talent to style our hair. I learned to braid and was always trying out hairstyles on my sisters and myself. Read more>>

Kat Bylska

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally was as much a revelation as it was a call to action. It wasn’t one moment but rather a crescendo of experiences that shaped me into the person I am today. I was just six years old when I first stepped onto a dance floor. At that age, it was pure joy—the rhythm, the movement, the feeling of freedom. By nine, my family had moved from Amarillo to Los Angeles, and that small-town girl suddenly found herself immersed in the heart of the entertainment world. It was exhilarating, but also grounding, as I learned how much the arts could transform lives, mine included. Read more>>

Brandon Deutsch

I never really thought I’d be making sports content. I really loved sports, I played baseball and basketball and that was my life and all I could talk about, but I never thought I would make a career talking about it. Foolish me huh? It’s all I could discuss, ever day, every free moment. The Lakers rank 15th in defensive rating, they don’t play defense enough to win a championship. The 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo at QB (at the time)m, they won’t go far without elite QB play. These takes were my life. My love of sports has always been apparent, but I thought I’d be playing them. I wanted to be a professional baseball player my entire childhood and I came close to making that a reality. Read more>>

January Ornellas

I believe I was about nine years old and I had just finished reading Blubber, by Judy Blume. She was my favorite author and I loved how she wrote in a manner that was so relatable. I couldn’t believe that someone could have a job in which he or she got to write stories for a living. When I started writing stories, I was also drawn to realistic fiction, and that is what I still write today. Read more>>

Thomas Rife

To be honest, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to play guitar and have music play a large part of my life and a passion that makes me who I am today. Growing up, my mother never drove anywhere quiet. There was always a blues guitarist, rock band, or songwriters new album blaring from her car with a broad spectrum of genre’s for any given feel for the day to any destination or errand. A lot of my family members loved music, and it was common for everyone to share their favorites with each other. Hearing all of this rad music, there were always the ones that I thought were the cool guys, and cool guys played heavy metal. Read more>>

Dear Cl

I think every creative has that moment of wonder as a child where they view whatever medium that will later go on to inspire them for the first time almost as a pivotal memory. It’s definitely a core memory in most musicians (and me). Before music I wanted to be a film director, this was my childhood dream. I wanted to write & tell my own stories while creating the movies and TV that would babysit me everyday. There’s never really been a specific moment for me but a lot of them that reinforce that I should do this. Read more>>

Cure King

When I was a kid I’ve always wanted to do something creative. Originally I wanted to be an architect. Overtime that turned into wanting to be a character designer, and somewhere along the lines that turned into making music, and out of necessity I also became a photographer. Read more>>

Kim Wilson

Over 15 years ago I went to college for art so I knew as far back as I can remember that’s what I wanted to peruse. However, once I had my daughter while still in college my direction changed. I panicked at the idea of any more school loans so I dropped out to raise my daughter while working in restaurants. To make extra money I would find myself repurposing thrift store finds and selling them at local craft shows. I then began dealing in antiques. This allowed me the flexibility I needed as a single mom. As the years went on and my personal style and taste developed I began incorporating my love for nature and the outdoors with my crafting and antiques. This led me to create Collections & Curiosities as its known today. Read more>>