We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.

Queen Sanaa | Fashion Designer & Vocal Music Artist

I come from a family of artists. Drawing, painting, singing, dancing, there are so many elements of art in my dna. It seems like art has been in my life from a very young age. As a fashion designer, I realize that all of my skills have an element of artistic ability. From drawing the concept to fabric selection, there is an art to the execution of the design. As a vocal music artist, I have chosen to follow in my family’s footsteps. My parents introduced me to music early. They had a music career before I was born. It’s literally in my blood. Read more>>

Brett Phillips | Musician

When I was younger, I always knew that I wanted to pursue something creatively. The process of being inspired, having an idea, and creating was something that made me very happy. Initially I didn’t know that it would be music that I’d find the biggest passion for; I enjoyed writing, drawing, and coming up with stories and songs as a child. I remember finding a typewriter in my grandfathers basement and excitedly writing on it, as if I was creating my own books for people to read like the ones I had on my bookshelf. It wasn’t until the age of 12 that I curiously picked up my older sister’s guitar that I knew where to put all my creative energy. Read more>>

Jason Blyskal | Multimedia Artist

I think the primer that originally got me interested in pursuing art was the concept of world building. The excitement I felt from making small changes to an abstract idea and watching it slowly come to life was very fulfilling. I call it world building because whatever the product of your creative vision may be, it is still a tiny world completely in your control. A small place for you to make an imprint upon might seem inconsequential or whimsical at first but over time you see your identity revealed to you. Although not a complete picture, my art is a visual representation of the person I am, what I like, and how I choose connect with the larger world around me. Read more>>

Vickie Jeffries | Indigenous Artist

I was inspired to continue the crafts of my ancestors the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation. I often hear that the Indigenous crafts are slowly fading away and that is not true because there are a lot of Indigenous artists. Read more>>

Fabrizio Bianchi | Artist/Instructor/Designer

An artistic career is not pursued, it is practiced with persistence and passion. Without those two factors, my lifelong ambition of creating and exploring new ideas would be an occasional hobby that would rarely find a public spotlight. I knew early on in my undergraduate career that regardless of the path taken, it would involve traditional fine art skills and more independent thinking for myself and employers. What has made this journey even more impactful is that the passion has never subsided, especially when attending art shows, galleries, and other artists in the Triangle. Some of the best inspiration has come from those interactions, which I still look forward to doing every month. Read more>>