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.

Clarissa Banos

Yes! Being able to make a living doing what I’m most passionate about brings a lot of happiness to my life. I have been a creative person for as long as I can remember so answering this artistic call on a daily basis is truly a blessing: Whether it translates into making a sketch, completing a painting or teaching an art class, I feel most alive, connected and fulfilled when I’m following my creative passions. Read more>>

Paul C. Rivera

There are definitely a lot of ups and downs in working in this industry. Feelings of not being “good enough” if you don’t land a certain job or some one else getting chosen over you. It happens to everyone at some point. I think when I feel that doubt creep in, I try to remember where I came from to get here and to remember the perspective of what we get to do is such a blessing. Read more>>

Trang Huynh

I have held corporate office jobs at companies like Chase and Countrywide Home Loans throughout my career. So no, I don’t miss that life. In fact, I felt very unfulfilled by the structured cookie cutter environment. BUT, I’m thankful it has brought financial stability while on my pursuit of growth as an artist. Read more>>

Buck Down

Generally speaking, yes. Possibly even ecstatic. I think everyone’s goal is not to spend their days somewhere where they’d rather not be with people they wouldn’t necessarily choose to spend them with. That’s probably the benchmark if you want to know if you are in the right job or not. Read more>>

Izzy Ryder

I’m very secure in my role as a song-writer in the world. I believe that our purpose is to do whatever it is that can make the most amount of people happy. I’ve tried and tried and tried to be of utmost use in a traditional work setting. Read more>>

Simon Miles

Yes I’m very happy as an artist or creative. In fact, I’m working a regular job right now to fund my music so that I can make music for a living. Working retail jobs, I realized really quickly that they weren’t for me. Read more>>

P. Jax

CanvasRebel Questions: This is a really deep question. It’s something I think about a lot, but instead of wondering what it would be like to have a regular job/career, I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I had a different passion. Read more>>

Nadia Payne

I am very happy being an artist, People don’t know that before I became an rapper/singer I was signed to a modeling agency for 3+ years. I love writing and creating a masterpiece because I want to the listeners to come into my world and understand me better as not only an artist but a person aka human Read more>>

Gena Tinsley

I love this question for so many reasons. I feel like I am the embodiment of what an entrepreneur really is. I’ve been involved in the hair industry since I was 18 so I’ve always made money wherever I went from doing hair. Read more>>

Renisha Mathis

Now that I am a full-time tattoo artist and entrepreneur, I do wonder sometimes what it would be like to have a regular job. I can’t imagine going back to the standard 9-5 when I have so much freedom with my current career. Read more>>

Todd Westover

I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. And I never have. I make art every day and have since I was a kid. Some times I do enjoy sitting at the computer and doing something for a client. I still have a few graphic design clients. I do enjoy that. Although I would rather be painting. Read more>>

Mora Que

I am so happy as a creative. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else but what I love to do. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had “regular” jobs but I knew from an early age that I wanted to contribute to the Hip Hop community Read more>>