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.

Lester Paredes

For me, I was born and raised in a artists family, my parents are artists and I’ve been always related with the entertainment industry. I started taking music classes when I was 5 and before that, my father got me into the music instruments plays in every single way. Since then, I knew it that was the path I wanted to follow, even tho I’ve study in the Central University of Venezuela in Computer Science, I’ve decided to be an artist as my main thing in life. Read more>>

Dess Renee

I first knew I wanted to become a singer when no matter how I felt I sang a song. I started taking singing seriously at 18 after I won the first audition for Americas Got Talent bug caught strep for the second round. I knew that was my sign to pursue my creative talents. Read more>>

Beezle Curry

My first word was actually tattoo, my father was and is a tattoo artist and shop owner. So growing up going to the family shop and hanging out with all the artists, I knew I both loved and wanted to pursue art. I still remember to this day learning how to draw a traditional skull from one of the apprentices at the time Derik, who’s now the shop supervisor and in year 14 of his career. Read more>>

Scout (Zihua Art)

I had been told by friends over and over since high school I should do art for a living. While I loved drawing as a hobby, the most I thought I’d do with an art job was as a side hustle since I was concerned about the financial struggle of a freelance artist. Science is another one of my passions, and my interest in chemistry led my parents to suggest I do pharmacy for my career – with “it’s a well-respected and financially stable field” as their reason. Read more>>

Raul Ceballos

I had just graduated from college in 2011 with a degree in theatre. I had no idea what I was going to do with it. My parents graciously let me continue to live at their house as long as I was either working or looking for work. Fortunately, I was able to get a job at a jewelry store. However, the store was about a 45 minute commute, so to pass the time, I started listening to podcasts. One of the podcasts I started listening to was called “Talkin’ Toons with Rob Paulsen”. He would have guests (other voice actors) come onto the show and chat about voice acting and the voiceover business in general. Read more>>

Ortie Rainford Jr.

I didn’t really know that I wanted to be an artist in full truth. I’ve always had the innate ability to be able to draw as a child with no aspirations of being a creative. I was told from a past relationship that wasn’t going to be anything. It did fuel a fire in me to prove to myself and thank the Lord that He gave me this talent. He (Lord Jesus) sought it fit for me to pursue this ambition. Me stating the name Jesus wasn’t even in my vocabulary because I was certainly lost in this world…trust. I thank the Lord for the opportunities and the people I’ve met along the way in my journey as an artist. I can only give glory to Him because only He knows that I wouldn’t have made it to where I am now.  Read more>>

Nicolas Wendl

Storytelling has always been a part of me. For as long as I can remember, creating stories and coming up with fun and adventurous scenarios for my toys and action figures was always exciting to me. It wasn’t until I turned 11 that I first got to hold a video camera, and discovered that now I could actually capture these stories I would invent with my toys, and forever capture them on video to play back and relive. It was at that moment that my passion and desire to pursue an artistic journey was born. I always like to say that my very first actors were my action figures and my cousin’s barbie dolls, and it’s true. Read more>>

Matt Drago

When I was a young boy, my amazing grandmother Matilda took me to the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City. She had gotten us tickets that allowed you to sit onstage during the performance of Cats on Broadway. It was a really fun experience, the performers interacted with me, and at one point I even pretended to be one of the cats along with a cast member… one of the cats even came up and tied my shoelaces together! I was hooked, watching the creativity, imagination, and playfulness around me. Getting to experience another world for a couple of hours made me realize what a magical effect performers can have, and I knew in that moment I wanted to be an actor. Read more>>

Josh Delson

I discovered my passion for a creative career at a young age. As a child, I immersed myself in art, drawing beloved anime characters like Pokemon, teaching myself how to play musical instruments, and brainstorming video game ideas inspired by PS2 franchises. My journey took a significant turn in high school when I channeled my talents into creating Adobe Flash mini games. The overwhelming support from my high school led to the establishment of the school’s first game design program. From there I knew that pursuing a creative path was unquestionably my calling. Read more>>

Daniel Endicott

I don’t remember there ever being a time when I thought I would do anything other than make art for the rest of my life. I was extremely lucky to have parents who helped me follow that dream from a very early age, there was never any hesitation on their part in fostering my love of art and pushing me towards making a living doing it. Though I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life there were times when the reality of life stepped in and I had to find other ways to make money. Those times only strengthened the drive to make art full time in me as I realized very quickly that it was a rare boss who I would enjoy working for. Read more>>