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.

Shun Cheng Hsieh

Reflecting on whether I’m happier as an artist or a creative, I’d say that I’m deeply fulfilled by the creative process itself—the journey of taking an idea from inspiration to execution. Being in footwear and product design gives me the chance to tell stories through materials, colors, and forms, blending artistry with problem-solving, which I find incredibly rewarding. I’m energized by the freedom and challenge to innovate, knowing that each project is a unique expression that can resonate with people and impact their everyday lives. This fulfillment goes beyond the typical job satisfaction, and it’s part of what keeps me passionate and driven. Read more>>

Jeremy Wheeler

For around 20 years, I defined myself as a happy artist despite having day jobs to support all of my creative endeavors (poster art, DJ’ing, event planning, comics, etc.). Now that I’m celebrating six years as head of Marketing for the A2AC, I find myself happier that I’m not working 80 hours a week between my art and a regular job. The privilege of having a leadership role and not having to rely on my art is not lost on me, though. It’s good to remember that all of my artistic endeavors got me to where I am at. Read more>>

Beth Anderson

I am definitely happiest when I am creating, whether that be writing, painting, or making jewelry. I love working with my hands and watching my imagination become a physical completed piece. Right now, I’m teaching at an elementary school full time and use whatever free time I have to work on my own projects when I can. I enjoy teaching the kids that creativity is a skill worth pursuing even if they aren’t interested in the arts. Read more>>

Barry Perez

When I graduated with my Bachelors of Fine Art I began working at the City of Carrollton. For years I did both—I participated in art shows to sell my work in the Dallas area while I worked at the City. After a while I began to feel more comfortable selling my work in shows around Dallas and around the state. I had been talking with other artists that I met, and I got some insight as to where best to try to sell my work. And I began to feel the strong desire to get out, to travel around the country. There was no a-ha moment for me really. I just felt that it was time to make the cut, so I did. Albuquerque New Mexico was the first show I did out of state. From there I travelled to New York, Florida Montana and many, many places in between. Read more>>

Simply Vika

I’m incredibly happy to be doing what I love. I genuinely believe that following your heart and passion leads to a more fulfilling life compared to working a job you dislike. Of course, the artist’s path is not without its challenges. There are always compromises, and it often takes a long time to see the seeds you’ve planted bloom. Patience is essential, and I understand why some people aren’t ready to commit to the uncertainties of an artistic life. Read more>>

Adrienne White

I think the very idea that there’s a difference between a “regular job” and creative work is erroneous. Creative work IS work. It’s as legitimate a path as any other; though we are trained to think of it as “soft labor” and therefore often not worthy of a livable income. Unless, of course, that creative work serves the goals of capitalism. Most creatives I know, including myself, often have to take their creative talents to a “regular job” to make ends meet. In those jobs, we are often seen as creative machines, as if our ability to tap into our creativity is an endless reservoir. Read more>>

Shihan Lin

I believe that for creators, the ability to express their thoughts and insights about life through art is a profoundly fulfilling experience. Having a public platform to share and showcase one’s artistic work is an opportunity that many who are not engaged in the performing arts may find hard to attain. At the same time, I think that having a regular job does not necessarily conflict with full-time artistic creation. In fact, artistic endeavors often require material drawn from life, which serves as the foundation for our observations and creations. Read more>>

Kaitlin Stark

As a songwriter without a publishing deal or any major radio hits, I make my living not writing songs, but working 2-3 other jobs at a time to support myself. I show up at sessions with artists and know that the 4-7 hours I spend that day will be unpaid, and the song we write together might not ever even come out. If it does–the likelihood that I’ll make any real money from it will be slim, because I’ll split the publishing with three to four other people and probably won’t get any points on the master. It seems grim because it is, and the way the music industry has changed because of music streaming has royally screwed over songwriters in a way I really can’t even describe. Sometimes my managers will put me in a session and I’ll wonder the entire drive there if I should’ve just worked my hourly job that day, or wonder how much longer I can continue on like this. It’s kind of like grief, because I know I’m really talented, and have to just hold onto this desperate hope that I’ll write a song one day that gets me to the place where I don’t have to work several jobs, and can just do music. Read more>>

Alejandro Hernandez

I never think about whatever a regular job would be, but the last time I thought about quitting a career in theater was during Much Ado at A Noise Within which is weird because my experience there was amazing all around. But I struggle with immense self doubt which I still have bouts with to this day. But towards the end of the run I started thinking what the hell am I going to do when this is done, Everyone had another job lined up, or some sort of plan and I had nothing to go back to or look forward to. But the most random thing opportunity came up when my SM Mentor from East Los Angeles College asked if I could come back to assist a show and somehow that led to a flow of job opportunities after, not all of them were paid of course but there’s always something to gain from a new opportunity. Read more>>

Laurent Chavannes

I’m definitely happier as an artist. I feel most like myself when I’m being creative. The fact that there’s still so much to learn with my craft makes it even more exciting! I often wonder how my life would be if I quit music and focused solely on pursuing a regular job, but I know that I would feel lost. A few months ago, I unexpectedly lost my job and was devastated. I had never been fired before and I felt like I had let myself down. After reflecting on the experience, I realized how much I disliked the job anyway, and that no matter what, I wasn’t going to be happy in a typical 9-5 job. In honesty, I just wanted to make money to keep making music. Losing that job made me realize just how passionate I was about music and that as long as I could keep making it, I’d feel some sense of purpose. The day after I got fired, I uploaded two tracks I had sitting around to all major streaming platforms, and a few months later, they have become my most successful releases to this date. Even in my lowest moment, I had art to make and share with the world. Read more>>

Qianying Zhu

I feel deeply fulfilled as an artist, and the freedom it provides to shape my own schedule and work on projects that resonate with me is invaluable. My past experiences in full-time roles have reinforced that a flexible, creative lifestyle suits me best, allowing me to thrive in ways that a traditional 9-to-5 may not. Right now, I’ve found a good balance, and my life is moving in a positive direction. I’m open to new work opportunities and collaborations, as connecting with diverse people is both inspiring and enriching. However, dedicating most of my time and energy to my art feels essential at this stage—it’s where I find the greatest satisfaction and sense of purpose. Read more>>

Natalie Roy

My entire creative life is based on curiosity and questioning so I find it incredibly healthy to question; am I happy? Could I be more fulfilled? Do I still love this thing I have chosen? Am I still passionately in love or has it become routine or habitual? The question itself is powerful. It unlocks gifts and insights. Being afraid to ask the question because we are too many years down the line of this one path or feel a lack of identity without what we have build thus far creates a fear and scarcity frequency within ourselves that can only hold us back from knowing just how much we can actually do and be here. As George Eliot is quoted, “it is never too late to be what you might have been.” Read more>>

John Olson

I’ve found a great deal of fulfillment in writing prose and poetry over the years – decades, really – though unless one is born into wealth, any involvement in the creative life is going to entail a lot of hardship, not just maintaining a level of financial security, but integrating with the rest of society. At social gatherings, I cringe if anyone introduces me as a poet; the common perception of the poet is that of a feckless nerd, a pretentious ne’er-do-well, often elicits a somewhat embarrassed response. The word ‘writer” once enjoyed a high degree of prestige, but that began to quickly erode circa the late 70s; it is all but meaningless now. Literature itself is at risk. Read more>>