Do you ever wonder what life would have been like had you chosen a more standard path? Does everyone have these doubts sometimes? We wanted to find out and so we asked as many talented artists and creatives as we could and have shared highlights below.

Joan of Angels

I enjoy being a creative person and having the ability to bring some of my visions to life. Working for myself allows me control over my time and energy, where i want to focus my attention. I’d rather worker harder for myself, than be working for others. I ran a very successful chiropractic office in Berkeley for almost 20 years, and enjoyed the healing arts as well as the business side. Read more>>

Zoe Bernhardt

I couldn’t imagine not creating as a living honestly. I’ve had plenty of jobs prior that have had nothing to do with creativity in the food and customer service industry. I was miserable, all my coworkers were miserable, and I’m not sure if it was because none of us were yet pursuing our callings, or if it was because of mistreatment often prevalent in those work spaces, or a mixture of both. Read more>>

Eliza Swann

I’m laughing while I read this because the logic that led me to being an artist is an artist’s logic! In other words, I feel that I had no choice but to answer the deep call towards creativity and mysticism. When I was very young, I wanted to be a poet and a saint. The adults in my life told me some version of “those aren’t jobs” or “you have no aptitude for those things.” Read more>>

Jiahan Fan

As a creative artist, I find my work to be both fun and challenging. It’s a great feeling to have the freedom to explore different creative expressions and to transform my ideas into visually striking works. This type of work is very fulfilling and allows me to continuously grow and develop as an artist. Read more>>

Jay Sukow

I am very, very happy in what I do. Each day is very different and I love the challenges and rewards this kind of lifestyle brings. I do wonder what it would be like to have a “regular” job. Many people consider having a job in a creative field as not a legitimate career. That what creatives do are more like a “glorified hobby.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. Read more>>

Chih-Yuan Chang

Being a creative person brings me immense happiness and satisfaction. It allows me to tap into my imagination and bring my unique vision to life. As a creative, I constantly strive to improve my work and pay close attention to the details. Whether I’m honing a technique or perfecting a piece, I approach every project with a meticulous and attentive mindset. Read more>>

Angelica Montaño

Like any artist will tell you, being a creative human being has many emotional roller coasters. When I first began my journey as a singer I had more downs than ups. I was in the process of developing, understanding and cultivating my own authentic and organic voice, Now where I am currently standing I am extremally happy with the artist I have evolved to be. Read more>>

Kate Petley

Happiness is a broad word that doesn’t feel inclusive enough to describe the life of a visual artist. I am always thinking about my work and how to approach the next steps, even when I’m not able to be working in the studio. Over a long period, I’ve learned to trust that my process will be there for me; taking that position makes me happy because it provides a feeling of confidence. Read more>>

Maria Alejandra Hernandez

I am happy as an artist and creative. However, I can understand the challenges and rewards that come with being an artist or creative professional. It’s a career path that often requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, but it can also be incredibly fulfilling and satisfying to create something that resonates with others. Read more>>

Chantel Nicole

This should be an easy question to answer, but it’s not for me these days. I find myself contemplating, “What would I be doing if I had a regular job?” quite often. Read more>>

Lovar Kidd

I am indeed happy as an artist and creative, but when deadlines are tight and budgets are small, I find myself thinking of the other things I could have chosen. I’ve been a licensed massage therapist since 2007 but have never worked full-time as an LMT. Read more>>

Rebecca Katz

I’m thrilled to have gotten to a place in my life where I have fully embraced my creativity. I’ve been an entrepreneur for 22 years. Prior to that I had regular jobs in marketing/communications. And while that experience served me well, I wasn’t cut out to work for others. I’m too much of a renegade. Read more>>

Alejandro Meola

Happiness comes and goes. As an artist or else, it’s human to wonder about greener pastures. Sometimes I pursue safety and stability, then I get bored and hit the road, until I need safety and stability again and so on. Eventually I guess I’ll break that cycle but what’s important to me is to keep searching and exploring. Read more>>

Michael Martinez

I am very happy. I sit back and think, what if i had a “normal” job? Doesn’t fit me, as i’m far from normal! My favorite part about being a creative is the connections and authenticity. You get to see artists be their authentic selves when creating, and build a connection with them, from it; is the best feeling! Read more>>

Darryl Smith

Honestly, I truly am happy as an artist. It has been such an enriching part of my entire life due to the sheer aspect of creating something out of nothing. I find this ability to put into reality what was originally a thought, a word, a sentence, or a passing event very rewarding. Read more>>

Sapphire Phoenix

I am happiest when I am doing music. I am a licensed massage therapist, chef, and substitute teacher. Helping others brings me joy, but nothing ever makes me feel as whole as music. Read more>>

Jaime Hinckson

More than happy fulfilling my life as a creative! But I had to have a taste of the other side to be as firm as I am in my musical position today. I made a solid attempt at having a “regular” job while I was pursuing an engineering degree in college. Landed back-to-back internships with Ford Motor Company which eventually led to a full-time job offer that guaranteed some financial stability. Read more>>

Tiffany Hilton

I’m so happy to be a self-employed artist and know that it suites me well. I previously had a “regular job” as a library director and slowly transitioned into being a full-time potter after building up my business and mailing list over time. Keeping my own schedule and pace is so healthy for me. Self-employment can be overwhelming at times, but the older I get the more perspective I have and I’m able to step back, see the big picture and stay calm. Read more>>

Chase Bethea

My happiness waivers as a creative. Being a video game composer in my space is very hard. I often feel like I am not taken seriously, not heard or respected as the majority of other video game composers in my space. Nonetheless, I see it as a game level difficulty. I recognize the challenge and I persevere. Read more>>

Erin Jiang

It’s not unusual for anyone to question whether they’re doing right by themselves in life, some more than others. I admit that I often do wonder if I should give up on art as a career since not only is it a hard field to find regular work in to begin with, but the pandemic only made it harder in a field that relies so much on the connections you make with other people who have the influence to get you a job in animation. Read more>>

Camille Kauer

If I could do anything else, I would. It’s hard and can make you insecure, especially when you’re over 30 but I can’t imagine doing anything else. Acting and podcasting make me feel alive. The rush I get from a great audition, shoot, or an excellent podcast interview. Read more>>

DJ MADAM MAJ

The best decision I made was to take my craft full time! I left my 9-5 job, so the wonder of having a regular job isn’t there. I was unhappy in my position. Also, felt like I was just working for another person’s passion and just getting by. We have one life to live and just getting by, won’t cut it! Read more>>

Chuck Lembo

I’m not sure what a “regular job” is exactly, but I love that both my main career as an architect and my photography are both creative outlets. I did not ever want to have a mundane repetitive job that I would hate going to or participating in. Read more>>

Jake Tavill

To answer the question “am I happy as an artist/creative?,” to be honest I’m not sure, but it honestly doesn’t matter. Read more>>

Tony Seepersad

Since I graduated University I’ve been lucky enough to only have to work as an artist. I have on occasion taken teaching and administrative jobs within the arts world on projects that I felt passionate about. However, when the world stopped during the pandemic, life was at a standstill for all of us performing artists wondering how we were going to survive. Read more>>

Hyejin “Grace” Park

At 17, I decided to pursue a career in filmmaking, and while some people found it cool, others warned me about the challenges of the industry. Now, after a decade of experience, I feel like I can attest that it’s both cool and tough. haha. Read more>>