There are so many creative ways to express yourself. Try these other ideas:

Film-making—Pour your heart into a short film, or take funny videos of your pets to post on Instagram or Vine. Let the cameras roll as you document the world.

Photography—Take selfies with your friends, or pour your heart into a short film. No angle is too high or low as you “focus” on that perfect shot.

Writing—Get cozy with your favorite book, or grab pen and paper to start writing the next great novel/screenplay. Get addicted to the art of words.

Not Exactly You?

Everyone has their own substance.
If painting and drawing doesn’t sound
like yours, you can explore more
options below.

Take the quiz to discover your substance and find out what
motivates you.

Check out these other substances:

Get inspired by our Voices With Substance—learn about people from Hawai‘i who have found their substance.

Get Started Now

You don’t always have to go far to find your passion—it’s easy to start right where you are, right now:

  • Hit the canvas, or your personal choice of artistic talent! Try out different mediums to find what you love. Art supplies can be found statewide, or you can even make your own canvas.

Get Moving

Just go out there and explore photography/film at your school, community and more:

  • Join the Art Club at your school
  • Visit local art museums, like the Honolulu Museum of Art
  • Pow Wow Hawaii, a gathering that celebrates culture, music and art, is a great way to get inspired! The weeklong event in February is held down in the trendy art district of Kaka‘ako in Honolulu, but they also display various murals in the area yearlong
  • Also in Kaka‘ako, Art + Flea presents a unique monthly shopping experience for Hawaii’s talented creative to showcase their goods and talents! Here, you’ll find over 60 independent artists, vintage collectors, DIYers, food trucks, handmade aficionados, and fashion designers
  • Check out Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and the Arts to learn about current art news and upcoming events, activities and programs
  • Drop by Clay Café to showcase your talent! Here, you’ll pick and paint a pottery piece of your choice to take home
  • Visit a local art festival, craft show, art fair or other art event! Hawaii offers frequent events to view the work of many local artists
  • Check out your local art organization and how they celebrate the art community!

Stay Focused

Focus on painting/drawing, keep improving, and have fun as you set and fulfill goals:

  • If you’d like to major in Art in college, high school classes to help you prepare include: Art, Art History, Computer/Graphic Arts, Computer Applications, Ceramics, Workshop, Photography
  • 808 Urban and Pow! Wow! School of Art offer various afterschool and Saturday art classes. Participating students may even have the opportunity to collaborate on a large mural that will be displayed in Kaka‘ako as a part of Pow! Wow! Hawaii!
  • Learn about the roots of Hawaiian art culture and take a board carving workshop on O‘ahu’s North Shore
  • Get your hands dirty and try your skills at pottery! Honolulu Museum of Art offers ceramics classes in their art studio
  • Hawaii Potters Guild also offers pottery classes of all levels. Try your hand at wheel classes and learn how to create bowls, platters, plates, vases, pitchers and teapots, and decorate objects! Or, check out handbuilding classes to create decorative or functional objects
  • Check out a glass blowing workshop if you’re feeling daring! Glass blowing is a unique experience and a skillset that not many have! Learn about the processes of hot glass, as well as cold glass cutting, engraving and polishing

Get Involved

Great minds think alike. Connect and work with other people who like painting/drawing as you reach
your dream:

  • Join the Honolulu Museum of Art Volunteer Friends to build a better art community by supporting the museum. Volunteer opportunities can even include those with the Spalding House garden or ARTafterDARK!
  • Support Interisland Terminal and their creative producers, such as artists, filmmakers, designers and architects who present programs year-round in contemporary art and design and film. Help staff their R&D bookshop and café in Kaka‘ako or help with setup and equipment!
  • Volunteer with Art for Life and work with children in the hospital with their art therapy projects
  • Provide support to the Hawaii State Art Museum and assist visitors to the museum, conduct tours, assist with education programs, etc.
  • Look for positions at a craft store or art supply company
  • Here are some tips on how to find a job in the art world, and more info provided by Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
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