Many of you are artists, whether you're a guitarist, singer, photographer, painter, or any other kind. It's crucial to take a step back and examine your progress in developing your craft. Reviewing your creative timeline can provide valuable insights into your next artistic endeavor.

I make it a habit to do this regularly, as I find that the blend of art and technology, in any form, keeps me motivated and brings me joy.

My creative hobbies always end up becoming work, but I'm not complaining. It takes an investment of not only time but also money. We've all heard the saying "it takes money to make money," and while that's certainly true, what's most important to invest in is your integrity. Do you have integrity in your work, in who you are, and are you able to deliver the things you promise to individuals, small businesses, and large corporations? If your answer is a resounding "yes," then you're doing great and have excellent earning potential. If it's "no," then it's time to reevaluate and evolve as a creative human to meet your clients' needs. If you're hung up on your ideas being strictly yours, that's okay; that's your passion. While passion will get you to a great point in your own unique creative edge, your pride can also get in the way of doing what you love for a living.

I began my personal creative journey with sound. This included a lot of different directions, sometimes all at once. I started with just being a guitarist, playing in bands, touring a bit, and providing online guitar tutorials through Mahalo for ravenous students. Then I transitioned to being a music producer and songwriter, becoming a solo artist myself, mixing and writing songs for various artists of different calibers and genres. Finally, I dove into audio engineering and mixing for TV and film, creating unique atmospheres and helping producers and directors achieve their sound goals on and off set. I still love and do all these things on a regular basis.

Currently, I'm constantly expanding on my visual evolution. If you follow me on Instagram (@Calistory), you'll notice that I've taken a deeper interest in photography and video. I've been fortunate to have many opportunities in life that put the right technology and tools together for me to gain hands-on experience in the field. While I've always been a visual hobbyist, taking pictures along my adventures whether on mountaintops or foreign countries, I felt it was time to take things to the next level. Choosing the proper tools was challenging, as everyone has an opinion, but in the end, it's all about what's right for you and what you're looking to accomplish professionally and stylistically. I'm very happy with my decisions, and so are my clients!

Lastly, let's talk about talent in the artistic space. Talent is defined by how well you can do something, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to develop it. You need to put in the time and effort, putting that thing you want to learn, do, and succeed at in front of yourself every day, for hundreds to thousands of hours. Even if your early attempts are terrible, it's important to take your ideas from start to finish. It's okay to suck, and it's okay to admit it. But even in your early attempts, try to add your own unique style. Frustration and failure are a natural part of the learning process, so accept them and don't get discouraged. It's important to have fun along the way, too. Laugh at your own weird, sucky projects, and enjoy the process.

We're fortunate to live in a world where we have so many opportunities to creatively express ourselves. Whatever path you choose, I wish you the best of luck on your artistic journey. It's a long one, but it's worth every minute spent cultivating your artistic evolution.

I wish you all the best - stay creative and stay healthy, my friends!