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.

Malorie Harris

I have always enjoyed spending my time doing some sort of art. Sitting in school was hard for me, except for art class. Time doesn’t exist if I am deep in the flow of art. I went to one semester of community college and quickly realized it wasn’t for me despite the 4.0 GPA I had 😜. Read more>>

Alex Szotko

When the world was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, I had an honest conversation about what I wanted out of my life. Read more>>

Justin Keishing

I first knew I wanted to pursue art professionally during the COVID-19 pandemic. While experimenting with painting at home, inspired by Bob Ross, I discovered a deep passion and talent I had never explored before. In June 2021, I entered my first art show, and seeing people connect with my work and even buy it was a turning point. Read more>>

Barry Feng

I actually started playing drums instead of Bass when I was about five years old, but back then I didn’t take it too seriously. Like most kids, I was more interested in video games and hanging out with friends, and I didn’t realize how much time and effort it takes to really build technique on an instrument. Read more>>

Brandon Macey

Growing up, I was always very shy and quiet. I wasn’t comfortable talking to my classmates or teachers. So in 6th grade, when I told my parents I wanted to audition for the school play…they were surprised. I’m not sure what it was, but something inside me told me that this was something I wanted to do. Read more>>

Austin Gosswiller

I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative path from a young age, my parents surrounded me with art. I would draw cartoons, and draw from art books and those early 1990s Eyewitness books as a kid. We would go on road trips and they always made a point to go to art museums in major cities along the way. Read more>>

Peyton Bowling

Petals & Thorns Flower Studio, located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, didn’t come to life overnight. It began with three friends working side by side in a local flower shop, where we discovered not only a love for flowers but also a deep appreciation for the beauty and grace they bring into people’s lives. Read more>>

Melanie Morgridge

​I’ve always been drawn to past time periods and longed to live in the enchanting worlds depicted in my favorite books and movies. When I decided to pursue modeling in New York City it wasn’t driven by an interest in fashion. Read more>>

Mercy Daharlemkid

I knew I wanted to pursue rap professionally the moment I realized my people believed in me the same way I believed in myself. That belief pushed me to build my own target market and brand—something authentic to Harlem, authentic to me, and built for those who move with me Read more>>

Nicole Ebanks

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally was when I realized how unhappy and unfulfilled I felt in most of the jobs I had. No matter the role, it always felt like I was the wrong piece in the wrong puzzle, never quite fitting in or feeling like myself. Read more>>

James Mawutor

I have always been around music and participated passionately but it was my friend who told me I pursue it as a full-time career and he was right. Read more>>

Kylie Sharman

I like to say I was born knowing that I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally. Read more>>

Cheryl Pray

My Journey from Nonprofit Leadership to Floral Design With an M.A. in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy and more than 30 years of leadership experience, I had the great fortune of working with some of the most prestigious organizations in the country, including Johns Hopkins University and The Nature Conservancy. Throughout my career, I championed donor stewardship, ethical practices, and community impact. Read more>>