Pursuing a creative or artistic career can certainly be fulfilling, but it’s far from certain. Over the years, we’ve heard about the struggles from thousands of artists and creatives – it’s incredibly challenging and it can be tempting to wonder – what if you hadn’t pursued this path. We asked artists and creatives from across the community if they’ve every had those doubts themselves.

Josephine Eve

Yes, I am so incredibly happy and grateful all the time that music is my full time job. Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to have a “real” job, because my parents told me that I’d have to work the rest of my life, and that I needed to live out my kid years as a kid. My parents didn’t have that pleasure to just not work growing up, so I think it was really important to them that I did. However, when I got my car at 16 I thought, well dang how am I gonna pay for gas and such without asking my parents for help. Around that time tho, some of my friends wanted to form a band, and it became serious enough for us that we were getting paid for performing. Read more>>

Brandon Billings

Am I happier as an artist or creative? Well, both. Actors are both artists and creators. We’re always creating art for people to see, to hear, and to reflect. I have been working professionally for about 4 years and have just begun a new adventure diving back into the world of education. I am working towards obtaining my MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) in acting at the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. But, during my 4 years working professionally, did I ever think about what my life would look like with a regular job? Of course, I did. I thought about it constantly until I had the realization that what I do as an actor/creator is MY regular job. Read more>>

Kimmy Noonen

In the 18 years my husband and I have been married, I’ve worked short term gigs, started and closed a photography business, taught as an adjunct professor, given birth to two humans, acted as primary caretaker to both, and ebbed and flowed through a lifelong art practice. In all those things, I’ve made staggeringly little money (Social Security barely knows I exist). In capitalism, worth is tied to income; in my life, my worth has been measured by energy output. I don’t think either of these are actually reasonable measurements of value, but it’s really hard to swim against the expectations of society. Read more>>

K. Krombie

I’ve never had a regular job. The closest I came to it was joining a temp agency in my early 20s. I was sent to a random office, shown to a desk, and ordered to “do these invoices.” I stared at the stack of invoices and had no idea what to do with them. I lasted less than an hour there. I’m clueless when it comes to routine tasks, so no sensible, regular job would ever factor me in. With fewer options, it doesn’t necessarily limit what you can do to earn money. The road ahead is clearer to see, especially if you have creative ambitions. The main challenge with creative or artistic work is that the income generally isn’t consistent, but there is a price to pay—quite literally—for whatever path you choose in life.  Read more>>

Ivan Arrington

TBH I HAVE A REGULAR JOB AS WELL AS MY MUSIC CAREER, I AM A FATHER AND HUSBAND SO BILLS HAVE TO BE PAID. I FEEL ALL ARTISTS SHOULD HAVE JOBS. Read more>>

Phoebe Nowak

I think my current dynamic as an artist is one that ebbs and flows as many conditions in my life change. I currently run P.A.N. Creations part-time while working a full-time physically demanding “regular” job. Having both going on at the same time can be super draining and there are often days that I have no energy left to spare for my small business. I also now find myself experiencing burn out much more due to outside stressors in my life. I think this is the reality for many artists who have gone down my path in life. Graduate high school, go to an art college, get degree, have hopes and dreams in the art world but then be faced by the reality of bills and adult obligations. I am really grateful that I started P.A.N. Creations when I did, during the final months of college, because I was able to get over the hurdle of starting to sell artwork and feel like my art is worth selling. Read more>>

Misha Gundersen

I learned to tattoo almost 3 years ago because my regular job was quite literally killing me. I just wasn’t made to be in an office. I was chronically ill my entire 20’s and I remember toward the end I was so sick my hair was falling out and I was about 50 pounds overweight. My job was good to me for 11 years. They were a great company to work for with a great leader. I just wasn’t made to do anything like that – so – I taught myself to tattoo and was able to quit that job and support myself fully on tattooing, painting and making pottery. It’s definitely a hustle and has its own handful of hardships but I can tell you that I wake up happy every single day. My body tension is about 75% less than it used to be. I wake up everyday grateful that I get to paint or make really important and magical connections with the people I tattoo. Quitting my day job was the scariest thing I could do and I did it fully believing in myself. It was my grand self love gesture to myself. I will never go back if I can help it. Read more>>