Is it natural to wonder what life would have been like had you chosen a different path? Is it common? We asked many artists and creatives from all over the country if they’ve ever wondered about whether they should have pursued a more standard career path to see what we could learn from their stories.

Rita Luvi Luvi

Am I happier as an artist or creative? I can’t separate these concepts—they’re one and the same for me. I am happy IN creativity as an artist. Would I like to have a more stable job? I often think about this question when I face difficulties. In Slavic countries, there’s a funny saying: “A wife who’s an artist is a tragedy for the family.” I can’t help but laugh every time I remember it—it feels oddly relatable! About a “stable job”: Absolutely, yes! But could I do anything other than creative work? Definitely not. My profession isn’t just a job—it’s my calling, my identity. Whenever I try to step away from creativity, I feel like I’m losing my spark. But when I’m creating, I feel alive and truly myself. Read more>>

Amy Sarner Williams

I have spent most of my career in the field of ceramic art – teaching, creating and exhibiting. I love being an artist, yet art-making can at times be a lonely endeavor. After around 20 years as an independent artist, I felt a longing to connect more deeply with a community, to work with other like-minded people toward a common purpose. So in the early 90’s, I made the decision to get a “regular job”, but still one very much related to the field of ceramics. I joined the development staff at The Clay Studio in Old City Philadelphia. I knew the organization well, having been one of its early resident artists and instructors. I was successful in my job, writing grants and reporting on results, managing special events, and cultivating donors. In 2001, I became The Clay Studio’s Executive Director. I gained management, financial and leadership skills that have made me a stronger, more well-rounded person. During my ten years at the helm, I doubled The Clay Studio’s organizational capacity and increased its financial strength. During that time, my own art-making became secondary to the greater needs and goals of others. After 17 years as an arts administrator, I felt the calling to focus again on my personal artistic expression. Still, it is one of the great joys of my life to see The Clay Studio open its brand new, state of the art facility in the spring of 2022. Read more>>

Lia Politi

I love being an artist and a teacher but sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I had taken a different path, one that could offer higher earning potential. When I vocalize this to friends who have “regular” jobs, they often tell me they wish they did something like me, something they are passionate about. I feel very intense fulfillment from teaching art and I am obsessed with making it, but it can be difficult to navigate monetizing art. Creative people aren’t always financially savvy so it can be a struggle. How do I price my art? How do I go about selling it? I can make it all day but the next step is daunting. Creatives can sometimes get lost in a culture obsessed with capitalism. Not to mention, teachers aren’t valued in our society even though they have a huge impact on our next generation. Read more>>

Angel René Wilson

I’m incomplete without both the arts and a regular profession. For me, the commodification of art has a way of ruining its purity. I’ve found that when art becomes something I have to produce for survival, it loses its ability to be the outlet I need it to be. At the same time, my studies in law and my work towards becoming an attorney add a certain layer of humanity to my creative work. Without that grounding, I feel my art would lack the depth and perspective I’ve gained through my professional pursuits. The last time I really wrestled with this question, I was sitting in my car after a long day of classes and work. I had spent hours immersed in the realities of people’s struggles, seeing firsthand how broken our systems can be. It was heavy, and I was exhausted. I remember sitting there in the driver’s seat, gripping the wheel, and thinking, Why do I do this to myself? Why not just pick one lane—art or law—and go all in? Read more>>

Mariah Morgenstern

This topic has been on my mind a lot this year. For those of us that work in the film industry, I think we all thought after the devastating slowdown of 2022 and 2023 because of the strikes that 2024 would pick up, but when this year ended up being just as slow if not slower, many of us have been left to question whether it’s sustainable to continue on in this field or not. The streamers and studios broke the American film industry models that have existed for decades. To date, they haven’t taken any accountability for their actions or incredible greed or lack of care for our art form. They’re constantly greenlighting content over quality and the decline in excitement that once lit up the American film industry is very dim. Read more>>

Cynthia Cao

I think I’m happier as an artist. I’m definitely more interested in life. Since I live in the Bay Area, I have wondered what it would be like to have a “tech job” and the eye-watering salary that comes with it. However, when this passing thought comes up (usually when I’m browsing Zillow listings late at night), I remind myself that I am incredibly fortunate to work full-time in the arts in a variety of capacities. As a public art project manager, I work with artists and community members to enhance public spaces. As an exhibition designer, I help shape how art is presented and experienced by viewers. As a visual artist, I feel free to explore and create what interests me. Read more>>

Laura Parsons

I love being a creative! I tend to get bored easily, so having a job that has a variety of tasks keeps me on my toes. I love that each day is different. At the start of the week, I work in my office and get organized. In the mornings, I typically start with a workout and then make calls, return emails, etc. Afternoons are reserved for meetings or job site visits. Sitting behind a desk for 8 hours would be very challenging for me. Everyone is different so a typical 9-5 job works for a lot of people. Read more>>

Kim Roberts

I’ll say from the outset, that being an artist is first and foremost not really a “job description” in my mind. It is a calling or a vocation. Making art is part of who I am. When I was a troubled teenager dealing with family dramas, I spent hours drawing and writing in my journals, never expecting – or inviting – anyone else to view these creations. So to expect to be paid as an artist was not part of my original thinking. I just wrote and drew because it made me feel better. I never even thought about earning a living as an artist until I started writing books – which by the way are not a big earner for most authors. Read more>>

Domi Cuoco

I had *regular jobs* for nearly a decade within the realm of public service. It was wonderful. I learned so much about time management, setting boundaries, working hard, being useful, implementing big initiatives with inspiring teams. Then the pandemic hit and it was WFH. I was a Data Director, responsible for making beautiful dashboards + workbooks in Excel to help advance juvenile justice care. It was impactful work that I cared about. As the world was stocking up on toilet paper, I instinctively stocked up on paint. I hadn’t painted in years but couldn’t imagine lockdown without it. In the space between meetings + indicator development, I wrote bad poetry, songs for nobody but me, drew clouds as homes, and painted with knives on the cork panels I previously used to pin up photos + souvenirs. As interesting as our data findings were, I wondered if I could do this forever. Read more>>

Kevin Nakagawa

I went to school and graduated with an illustration degree. I did some freelance illustration work for a time but went back to what I had been doing as a part time job while in college which was rubber stamp designing and manufacturing. But, in order to do so, I had to start my own company to make it viable as a career. Being a business owner was great in that, from the creative side, I could illustrate anything that I wanted to and make it into a product. But, at times early on (usually when I was working 100+ hours/week), I did ponder what it would be like to work in a standard company with co-workers and not have to be responsible for everything that went on in the running of a small business. Overall, however, I’ve always felt that I was the luckiest person for being able to do what I loved to do as, in my particular genre of stamping, I was able to combine a lot of my interests into one entity –Stampscapes inc.. Read more>>

Kevin Sauceda

That is truly a loaded question for me, but I am definitely happy as a creative. You see, before fully committing to being a touring musician, I spent a long time juggling Ratchet Dolls and my education which limited the band. I eventually earned a degree and worked as a professional Graphic Designer for a few years, managing regional newspapers and magazines. I sure enjoyed collaborating with my editorial team, but my passion for music overshadowed and eventually led to me leaving my nine-to-five to pursue music. The leap to focus on music full-time was risky, but it’s the best decision I could have ever made for myself. Ratchet Dolls has been a wild ride, but has allowed me to see the world and connect with people through songwriting and performing. Something I could never take for granted. Read more>>

Lisa Febre

From my very first memories, I knew that I wanted to be a musician. It was mostly about the performing aspect of the path that drew me–as a child I was a “show off” who loved to dance and sing in front of family at gatherings, and stepping onto the stage for my first piano recital at the ripe old age of 4, I felt like I had found my calling. But it wasn’t just performing that excited me. As my music education progressed, I discovered I also loved to write music, whether that was little piano pieces or pop songs that gave me a chance to write lyrics. Read more>>

Richard J. Martinez

Ever since I was a young boy performing improvised talent shows on my grandma’s front porch, I’ve known that I am a creative artist. Being onstage, either as a performer or director, connects me to my most authentic self. Not only that, but leading improv classes allows me to be a part of other people’s journeys towards their own personal development. Prior to starting my own improv school full-time, I worked as a preschool teacher for almost twenty years. That was a fulfilling career, and one that I’m glad I did for so long, however, there is something really special about centering my career around something like the creative arts, which has always been a passion. Read more>>

Mina Aevum

I’ve had so many regular jobs. All that I have excelled at quickly and can practically do in my sleep. They are so boring and unfulfilling. I get small opportunities to be creative within them here and there and am always praised. Currently still working a part time job. I don’t think about what it would be like to work a regular job. Instead I fantasize about the day when I am invited to jump at an opportunity that will propel me into a life where music and art supports me fully & I never need a regular job again! Read more>>

Catie Eovaldi

I am absolutely happier working as a photographer than I ever was working an office job, but sometimes I do doubt myself and think about going back to an office setting. Usually this thought happens during my slow season. Living in Michigan, I don’t work many weddings or do photo sessions during the winter so I always go through this cycle of self-doubt during my slow periods thinking about going back to the office. Read more>>

N8 Carter

Growing up I’ve always been a creative artist. I started out in acting and transitioned more into live performances. And I think back a lot on how much I did truly love being on stage but when you’re off stage and back to life how difficult it was. What you were actually good at people made you feel like it wasn’t a real talent or skill when it was! So sometimes I wish I believed in myself more and that’s something that I would tell any artist who like live performing. Also having the funds to work on your craft was really tough as well so that’s where I think finding work outside of your craft actually was really good for me. I wouldn’t say it made me happier but it gave me more comfort for sure. Read more>>

Marita Karpetta

Since I was a kid i always wanted to become an actress and be in movies. I always had this vision and I cannot imagine myself doing anything different in my life. As I am growing up, realising and seeing how things are in a more realistic perspective, sometimes I do wish that I had a different goal like something more regular as my life would be easier. On the other hand I am very happy and proud that I am a creative individual with dreams and Im thinking that life is difficult anyways, so when you are an artist life is much more interesting and unique, you just create anything and when you create life is enjoyable. Read more>>

Shozab Raza

I’d say I’m happiest as an artist or creative because it allows me to express ideas, explore concepts, and craft experiences that feel deeply meaningful. That said, I’ve definitely thought about what it would be like to have a more “regular” job—one with a predictable routine and fewer creative demands. The last time I had this thought was about six months ago, during the early stages of a particularly challenging project. I was working on an interactive installation that incorporated generative visuals and sensory feedback. The concept was ambitious, and the timeline was tight. It required long hours troubleshooting technical issues, experimenting with materials, and figuring out how to make everything flow seamlessly. Read more>>

Jean Montesinos Mederos

I’m definitely happier as a creative, but I can’t lie and say that I’ve never thought of what my life would be like if I had gone into a different field and wether or not it would have been more impactful/ meaningful. Ive been thinking about this a lot in terms of current social and political issues and how my work relates to them, what does my work have to offer in making the world a better place or providing something of value to the people around me? Can my work really make an impact? Thankfully Im Read more>>

Carmen Alvarez

As someone who spent the majority of her life in a financial services job and was then compelled by her love of books to transition to a creative job a freelance book content creator, I can 100% tell you that I am so much happier with this switch to a more more creative endeavor. Is the money not as consistent? Absolutely. Am I SO much happier professionally? ABSOLUTELY. Read more>>

Nicólas Soul

My happiness as a creative is such overwhelming question to answer. In short, yes I am happy as a creative. Now if you want the long story, I’m human. Let me explain. I’ve been making music since 2012. I moved from Kenya to Tennessee in 2003. Early on, I found solace in 2000s R&B and early Eminem. Then I found Kanye in 2007 when Graduation came out. Em made me like rap music. Kanye made me LOVE rap music. Then finally J. Cole in 2010 dropped Friday Night Lights and that made me want to actually MAKE rap music. Songs like “Before Im Gone” and “The Autograph” spoke to me in ways no other artist had. (That’s why I don’t care if the rap culture hates J. Cole now, y’all could never make me hate bro. He’s just too pivotal to me growth.) Read more>>

Mark Henes

As an artist, my happiness often feels like it’s woven into the work I create—it’s exhilarating, fulfilling, and deeply personal. But to say I’ve never wondered about a “regular” job would be untrue. The last time I had that thought was after a particularly draining week. I had just wrapped up a series of performances, each one demanding not just my energy but also my heart. There’s this emotional high that comes with sharing your art, but the moments afterward can feel like standing in the shadow of your own light. Read more>>