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.

Amelia Ivory

As a musician and educator from Oklahoma I have constantly been told that I would struggle to earn an income. Oklahoma has held the title for 49th in teacher pay nationally and little did I know that discontent for disrespect of the profession was a common factor statewide, which culminated in a teacher walk-out in April 2018. My classroom and the role I played within it as a middle school Orchestra Director was never the problem. I held space with students in their most formative years listening to them screech on their strings, demonstrate progress and conquer their self worth all on a wooden box and some strings, and ultimately learning what belonging means through the long-forgotten team sport of orchestral music making. Read more>>

Ashley Elizabeth

Yes! I find it easier to express some things through art than spoken word. Being able to express the feelings, emotions and thoughts through music, movement, creating, my brain feels on fire with life and excitement. It is a language of its own few know exist and even fewer understand. Just like spoken word, it has its own dialects and accents which may not be understood by all who do speak some part of this hidden language, but there is a way of understanding the meaning. Read more>>

Joshua Catanzaro

It’s interesting how often the idea of “artist” or “creative” is pitted against the “regular job,” as if the two are mutually exclusive or one must inherently bring more joy than the other. For me, the answer isn’t about choosing one over the other, but rather finding a harmony where both contribute to a fulfilling life. Read more>>

Jamaad Mus

I am happy as a creative because I can dream and create my ideas of a better world based on how I see it.

Having a regular job would be waking up in the early morning and submitting unto someone who already established their name.

It would be a nightmare waking up doing something you don’t like doing for years and still being considered just another employee they can replace the following day. Read more>>

Chelsea Szegidewicz

I feel privileged and honored to be able to make a living through my passions and art. I do wonder what it would be like to have a nice, cozy salary. Sometimes it looks very glamorous in my mind, but I don’t want to be one of those people that have to worry about how many PTO days they have left. My life is lived spontaneously, and I think it creates space in my life for magic and miracles. Read more>>

Shannon Semizian

Nothing makes me happier than being an artist.

I spent over a decade as a fashion designer, a career my creative soul naturally led me into. I thrived there. I was good at it. I loved designing pieces that made women feel beautiful and confident. But the industry was cutthroat, demanding, and nonstop. Even at my most “successful,” I never felt truly happy. Read more>> 

Bonnie Phillips

I’ve been a photographer for over a decade, but it’s only recently that I’ve started calling myself an artist.

During college, I took a career test. It said I should be an artist—and I was so annoyed. Even though I liked photography back then, I definitely didn’t consider myself one.

Now, in my 40s, I totally see it. I’ve realized my love for beauty, new places, and adventure isn’t high-maintenance—it’s part of how I’m creatively inspired. Read more>>

Carlos Camacho

I can’t think of myself in a world where I’m not creative. My life has always revolved around film. My first job when I was in high school was working in a movie theater, and I quickly moved up to projectionist, which was my position until toward the end of college when theaters went all digital. My knowledge of 35mm projectors was no longer needed. While most can consider that a “regular job”, it really wasn’t. I loved threading film and ensuring the quality of the presentation, which in itself is an art form. It allowed me to watch almost every movie released during my tenure there. Read more>>

Michael Logan

You know actually I’ve thought about that question a lot. As a matter of fact, I love being a creative and artist, especially to be able to do it for a living. I feel blessed and lucky. Up to the beginning of this year I had a regular job at the same company for almost five years and I left that job a day before my birthday, which is the 10th of February, so the ninth was my last day at that job. I think about the clip of Prince I believe on the Arsenio Hall show where he said that he looked through the yellow pages and couldn’t find one thing that he was interested in doing or could do and so he pushed as hard as he could to become an artist. Read more>>

Inés Del Castillo

I am happy as an artist and creative. Also, I think about what it would be like to have a regular job all. the. time. Growing up, I always wanted to be a marine biologist, and um, I still do. Becoming an artist is one of the most spontaneous things I’ve done in my life and a part of me is still surprised I’m here and doing this…based off a decision I made at 18 years old. Read more>>

Allison Durham

I’m happier, but I’m 61 and absolutely broke. I did have some ‘regular’ jobs to pay the bills while I worked on an adventure novel at night. I made just enough money to get by with all my extra energy dedicated to writing. In 2023 the bottom fell out and I came to live with friends who are married. Dave works for a big bank and he makes good money. I watch in awe as they travel every month – and at dinner, they order drinks, apps, and dessert along with the main course. Dave loves to read and we talk about ideas for his own books, but he never writes. I can see how we chose our paths. He has financial security and I have an unpublished novel. Read more>>

Toheeb Ibrahim

Yes, I am happy as an artist, but it hasn’t always been easy.

There was a time,when I sat in my studio surrounded by unfinished threadcollage works. I hadn’t made a sale in months, and bills were piling up. I remember questioning myself: “Wouldn’t life be simpler with a steady 9–5 job, a salary, and structure?”It felt like I was pouring my soul into my art and getting very little in return. Read more>>

Madison Haws

I would say I can’t imagine not being an artist. It’s in my blood. For income, I’ve worked in coffee for 11 or 12 years , I’ve began selling my work at markets and I’m finally diving into teaching, which I absolutely love. I’ve wondered about working a desk job (like a 9-5) it doesn’t compute though. Read more>>

Steven Esposito

Sometimes? Are you kidding me? The prospect of a consistent, stable income in THIS economy, living in Los Angeles? In a lot of ways that’s GOALS. I think a lot of people have this idea that creatives are just so “other,” so different, so separate from the way the world works, so engaged in the realm of inspiration, spending multiple hours a day in a full or partial trance. It’s just not the case. We have the same basic needs as everyone else and feel the need to meet those needs the same as everyone else. We might be inspired, but we are also practical. In fact a lot of the songwriting/song creation process involves structuring esoteric, poetic, sensational ideas into something that fits the format of a song. We are masters at taking the obscure and making it palatable; a skill any and every employer would greatly benefit from. Read more>>

Jo Moore

I am happiest when I have the kind of work I have now: using my job as an artist to bring the community together.
It’s not just one job: artist. It’s a balance of volunteer, artist, community leader, community member, student. Every formal relationship within my community is like a medium for an art piece but the piece is me and how I curate myself into the community so that I can communicate the best! Read more>>