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.

Katie Grinstead

Like most artists I know, I am wicked grateful that I don’t have to clock in, or request time off, or abide by a dress code when it comes to going to work. There are many more things—good and not so good—that come with being an artist and creative. I certainly think about having a “regular” job, especially when I’m getting in my car to drive thirty minutes home at 9 o’clock at night. Or when my family is ready to watch a movie together, but I’m not a part of the cuddle puddle because I have to get upcoming tattoos designed. I haven’t ever had a job that I can leave at work. One of those careers that you actually can’t do at home…ahhh…dreamy. That short lived daydream ends when I think about having a boss, ugh. I’ve never been great with authority, so this industry is perfect for me. The only people who tell me to change something I’m doing is either a client who is paying for my services, or a fellow tattooer who is giving me constructive criticism. If I decide to work on a day off, I can adjust my pay scale to accommodate the situation without having to clear it with a boss. On the other side of that coin, sometimes I have long time clients who fall on hard times in the middle of a large project, or a client who had breast cancer and want the scars decorated but can’t quite afford it in full; I don’t have to charge my normal rate when circumstances change and I don’t have to check with anyone first. Do I have benefits, or a retirement savings through work? Ha! Absolutely not, but thankfully I’m a responsible adult who can handle those things on my own. Read more>>

Alex Epps

I started making music in 2008, fresh out of highschool at 18 years old. As my music was getting better, I wanted to pursue DJing as a means to perform the music live. Eventually I was able to make enough money to sustain a normal living. However, at a young age, I was not mentally prepared for the stress of what this means of living entailed. Lots of traveling, lots of meeting people I did not know, lots of traveling alone as a young vulnerable kid. You really don’t know what you’re getting into sometimes when you are booked to go play a show somewhere you’ve never been, and have people you’ve never met being responsible for your transportation and lodging and also paying you. It can be very challenging mentally for someone who has not had a lot of experience. Also, in turn, your ability to get booked as an artist relies on you constantly having to put music out, so in a way, making music kind-of went from something I enjoyed to something I looked at as work, and that kinda took the fun out of it.  Read more>>

Andrea Castañon

Following my passion for photography has not only helped me discover and respect myself more, but it’s also connected me with a community that is full of love and support. Being a full-time, self-employed creative comes with its challenges — it demands immense determination, constant problem-solving, and the reality that your work is always on your mind. But even with the challenges, I can’t imagine going back to a 9-to-5. Leaving a high-paying job in NYC was one of the scariest decisions I’ve ever made, especially with the loss of income and the wave of self-doubt that came with it. Yet, looking back, I know it was the right choice for my well-being and my peace of mind. Read more>>

Zachary Scalzitti

Ha! I suppose I never really think about what it’s like to have a “regular” job considering I wait tables five nights a week. I’m left only wondering when my next creative outlet will happen. The future does concern me though. With how much uncertainty there is in this business it’s hard not to spiral. I’m one that strives to be present & in the moment but too often am I left panicking. However, if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that the more you try to make sense of the uncertainty the more doubt you bring upon yourself. Read more>>

Krishna Schroth

I can’t remember a day that passed where I hadn’t imagined myself in a traditional job setting. The inconsistencies of working in a creative field and facing obstacles that seem futile really makes one romanticize the conventional 9-5. Working as a full-time tattooer to support my painting practice while also making the time to paint can feel demanding and arduous, and often feels like I’m running in circles sacrificing hours trying to make something worthwhile. After either tattooing all day or waiting for walk-ins to fill my time, going home to the studio and painting often feels like the last thing I’d be capable of. There were often times I would go months without picking up a brush, let alone completing projects I had started; my studio would be crowded with blank canvases and littered with empty coffee cups. 2023 especially was a grueling time for me painting-wise and one of my only paintings (Quarter-Life Crisis Street Shop Blues) that came out of that year communicated the strain I felt being pushed or pulled between tattooing and my painting practice. Read more>>

Mike Cyril

I’m not sure if I’m “happy” as an artist, I’m not sure happiness is what I’m after. The satisfaction of brining something to light is more important than the joy it could bring. Happiness is certainly touched during the process, I think most emotions are.  I do think if I was on the path of having a regular job, at least a job that was five days a week from 9-5 it would clear a lot of room in my mind. I tend to get overwhelmed because of the possibilities, ways explore a craft and within that craft a particular project can sometime seem endless. Read more>>

Conneka Urvette

As an actress/voiceover artist who is also a licensed registered nurse, this question is loaded for me. I am often asked if I wished that I never became a nurse and jumped headfirst solely into acting, and the answer isn’t so cut and dry. To give some background, I first discovered my passion for performance arts in my high school’s drama club, when I portrayed Cookie Cusack in our adaptation of the original play ‘Rumors’ by Neil Simon. She was such a flamboyant, quirky character, and I remember feeling so alive up on that stage playing her. The laughs and pure joy that was radiating from the audience was palpable and I was hooked from then on; I knew I wanted to pursue this craft no matter what. However, when senior year came and it was time for me to choose what I wanted to do after, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to achieve some sort of academic success in a field that would not only set the precedent for my younger siblings to succeed, and allow for me to have financial stability, but also something that would help people; hence me choosing to go to nursing school. Read more>>

Christina O’neil

I am happier as an artist, but the longer I work and refine my craft, the more I realize there isn’t a huge difference between having a regular job and making a living as an artist. The majority of my income comes from set design, and while there are many ways to build a career in this field, it ultimately boils down to the types of projects, income, and lifestyle you prioritize. It’s a delicate balance. Most of my paid work is commission or commercial-based. While I take pride in these projects, my absolute favorite work has always been my self-funded passion projects, where I have complete creative freedom. While I have pride on a lot of my commissioned work, I am always most excited and satisfied when I can create something that is entirely my own and without compromise. When a client is paying you, creative input from their side is almost inevitable—and that can mean adjusting your vision to fit their expectations. Read more>>

Sinem Arda

Even though I have only recently started calling myself an artist, I have been trying to create things for as long as I can remember. Starting out with an idea in my head and seeing how it evolves depending on the tools and methods I use is my favorite thing to do in this world. But in reality, trying to make money while doing this is a real challenge. Therefore, I often think about what it would be like to have a regular job. But if I could see my life in parallel universes where I’ve made different choices (and had different jobs) like the character in Matt Haig’s novel The Midnight Library, I think I would see that I wouldn’t be as happy in any of them as I am in this life where I can create freely despite the all difficulties. Read more>>

Marco Foster

I’m personally very happy with my life as an artist. Music is what I was passionate about ever since I was young and I’m very grateful to be able to pursue that passion as a profession. My first big break in the industry came within months of graduating high school when I signed to Flo Rida’s label and toured the world with him. Everything happened so fast that I never even really considered any other path for myself. These days, I think a lot about some of the missed opportunities I’ve had over the years. One in particular was an opportunity I had where I met extensively on multiple occasions with music industry titan Clive Davis. He was considering signing me to Sony Music and showcased me to RCA Records in 2015. At the time, I had a lot of great unreleased music, but I hadn’t developed any kind of following on social media and it was ultimately what led to them passing on signing me. At the time, I was crushed and over the years went from wondering what could have been to being grateful for what has become. Read more>>

Jamirae

As an artist, especially one performing live, there are so many moving parts, uncertainties, and sacrifices that come with pursuing this path. I love what I do—it’s my passion, and there’s nothing else quite like the rush of performing with The Blindsiders, connecting with people through our music, and bringing a song to life. I can’t really say that I’ve wondered what life would be like with a “regular” job, or about the stability that comes from clocking in, doing your work, and leaving it behind because growing up my parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams. My father was a successful entrepreneur and taught me that I can make a living by doing what I love and what I’m passionate about. My parents never told me to go out and get a job, they encouraged me to follow my dreams. However, recently there was a brief moment I thought about how much work it actually takes to be part of a band and the work it takes to get paying gigs. We were preparing for back-to-back shows, and everything was feeling a bit overwhelming. Read more>>