Is it natural to wonder what life would have been like had you chosen a different path? Is it common? We asked many artists and creatives from all over the country if they’ve ever wondered about whether they should have pursued a more standard career path to see what we could learn from their stories.

Travis Wackerly

Before becoming a full-time musician I worked several regular jobs. I’m grateful for those jobs, but I don’t miss clocking in for someone else. I disliked just about every regular job I had and that has served positively as the motivation I needed to really make something happen with my creative work. When I hear that someone wants to go full-time with their creative work, and they currently love their regular job then it’s going to make it a little harder to get motivated. Bad things can motivate people and can be a valuable source of growth, I’m not sure why we always try to shy away from adversity. Read more>>

Shannon Fannin

I love my creative career! Unlike many professional artists, I come from a corporate background. This gives me a unique perspective on the business of art. I graduated high school in 1987 with an Art scholarship with aspirations to become a special needs drawing teacher. Finishing less than a semester of college, I left college to marry and worked for the family business. After a few years working for my extended family, I took my clerical, accounting, and shipping knowledge into the workforce. Read more>>

Chelsea Coyne

I am absolutely happier as an independent artist. It’s no secret that an artist’s path is unpredictable and can be financially challenging, due to that unpredictability, at times. But I have found that it ALWAYS works out. Meaning that the gigs always come through, the offers suddenly appear, a call comes out of “no where.” I will admit that I did have to expand my repertoire in 2020. I had already started a small online clothing resale business at the beginning of 2020, because I was a new mother (my daughter was born in September 2019), and I wasn’t sure when I would be ready to start traveling again, Read more>>

Haley Colbert

Although my family fully supports my dance career, I was always told to have a backup plan. Because of who I am and the experiences I’ve been through, I don’t know if I would ever be comfortable looking at dance as my means to live and survive. I think about dancing full-time every day, but even though I love to dance and am the happiest when I dance, I know I would be more concerned with the stability of my career. Not only in terms of financial, but physical. One accident could end my dance career and I would have no backup plan. Read more>>

Pj Mills

I couldn’t be happier living and working as an artist in Miami, as opposed to New York where I started making art. But I also I have a regular job or rather business that I started years ago when I first moved here. However, I do not want to discuss that business here. Unfortunately today, I can’t just give this business up because my clients now depend on me. (It is also very lucrative.) So I now live in these two worlds where neither side ever meet or even know about each other. “Art’nicks” don’t really respect you if you are a working stiff because it sort of shows a lack of commitment to art. On the other hand my clients are a very high security and private people that do not want to know anything about artists because “artists live artistic lifestyles and are not to be trusted.” Read more>>

Kevin Gentilcore

Overall I am happy as an artist and I do also have a day job as a graphic designer so in a related field. I do wish that my full-time job would be to make the art I want to make and have my career be on my terms and that’s something I’m striving for currently with my plans and goals. There are times where I’ve wondered “why did I choose to be an artist” and not say, a lawyer or accountant, or something like that that is typically more secure and not so sporadic, or that has clearly defined societal and economic value associated with it. Read more>>

Adia Jamille

I absolutely love being self employed as an artist/ creator and doula. I love having control over how I spend my time, and being available for my family when they need me. I love being able to spend my time creating beautiful things, and am often surprised by what I’m able to create. I don’t so much think about what it’d be like to have a regular job, because I’ve had enough to know I don’t want to do that anymore. But what I do think about is if I had chosen a different creative path. I recently stumbled upon videos of people who mix watercolors. It’s mesmerizing to watch, especially the ones that metallic or iridescent, and I absolutely love creating new colors. Read more>>

Amy Lubbs

I’m so so much happier working as a creative. Life is definitely more unpredictable, but I’ve learned that it’s far more important to me to work doing something that matters to me and accommodates my needs than to force myself to slog through a regular job just for predictability. I do have “day job” work in addition to my creative work, but all of it is under my self-employment rather than a regular job. I’ve been self employed for about 10 years now, and I haven’t seriously questioned whether I should try for a regular job since. When I first jumped into self-employment, I was a couple years out of college with an Archaeology degree, a passion for art, and job hunting in a market with almost no opportunities. Read more>>

Brittnee Brooks

I ponder the thought of what it would be like if I pursued the career of being a Mortician often, but I know in my heart that the current creative path that I have chosen and am currently on has always been the right choice for me. In high school. it literally hit me like a BRICK knowing I needed to pursue being a creative and I am so happy that it did because I don’t know that any other passion would describe me to my core. I love public speaking; I love taking things to the next level aesthetically. I love pushing the boundaries with branding, being a woman with a voice, and making a mark. Read more>>

Erin Parish

I addition to being an artist I have had day jobs at all forms of arts organizations: art museums, galleries, non-profits, as a studio assistant to artists, as well as an adjunct painting professor at Queens College. My father was a professor emeritus of painting at Wayne State University for some 40 years, so I learned the ups and downs of that career track. I matriculated through graduate school at Queens College and won an adjunct teaching position in painting. However, I looked like I was 15, which made it difficult to gain a sense of professorship and authority with the students. Read more>>

Zuri Lokken

From very young I have always had a passion for performing and creative arts. If you have ever felt like you are in the right place and right time that is how I always have and do feel when I am on a stage. I feel happiness but more I feel purpose. Of course it is a path that is very sought out and one that isn’t always the most consistent or consistently paying so at times it does make you wonder about other avenues or a “real job”. But being an entrepreneur I’ve learned that you can and should explore other possibilities as far as income. Those other avenues don’t have to make you unhappy or miserable but it is definitely smart to have several streams of income. Read more>>

Jeremy Piering

We all do both! We are professional musicians and we all have full time jobs, Gotta have health insurance! We pursued music full time for a few years, and successfully! We were able to feed our families by gigging and touring and playing ALOT. Over the years as shows slow down and speed up and slow down again, we all went back to work and we successfully juggle both. But we still play regularly and have alot of fun. Read more>>

Sarah Paul

As a textile artist, I get asked often if it is a “real” job, and what exactly IS it that I do. I have always been crafty and creative. I have had different 9-5 jobs throughout my career, but becoming my own boss has been the best. I went to college and earned a degree in graphic design, and also interned in the same division. Other jobs involved the arts in some aspects, so I suppose I have always been going about the creative route. When I had my daughter, I decided to stay home and focus on my art. Read more>>

Michel Alvarez

I’m extremely happy to be able to call myself an artist, but with that comes a lot of doubts and uncertainty. I currently work a regular job to help support my family and my dream and I always wonder how someone can just accept the fact they have to “work the rest of there lives” especially something they don’t enjoy. I watched my parents work jobs that really wore them out but they had to do what was necessary to make a living for themselves and me. I noticed a lot growing up about work and how hard you have to work to survive. It made me realize that having a passion in life was very important. Read more>>

Nick Lokken

I am so stoked to be an artist and creative! I felt like I was dying on the inside (and outside) when I was not practicing these passions. Sometimes I do think what it would be like to have a “regular” job but it sickens me. Routine sickens me. I love the freedom of not knowing what the week or day holds. It’s scary sometimes but I use those feelings to motivate me to work harder and faster! Read more>>

Elaine Wendt

In some ways I feel really lucky to have not chosen to be solely an artist. It doesn’t always serve as my principle means of income, other times it does. I had a hard time in school when I was younger, and studying art when I first got into college felt really strange to me. I really enjoyed learning art history, but the practical art classes left me feeling restricted. There were all of these ideas of what art could or couldn’t be and I saw over and over how many times artists tried to go outside of their peers and cultural narratives and were ostracized until their death, upon which they were celebrated. I didn’t want my life to turn out like that. Read more>>

Matias Poro

Being a creative isn’t for the faint of heart because the thing you’ll hear the most are no’s. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a part-time job that helps me monetarily but if you completely rely on your craft I praise you because it is not an easy achievement and it ain’t easy to maintain. I was recently let go of my job due to budget cuts and I am currently contemplating where my professional life will go and how soon I can make my artistry my full-time job. Read more>>

Blu Erran

I am happier as a creative, I feel like my mind is racing in 100 different directions and a majority of the thoughts are daydreams of things I want to create or pursue. I currently am not in a place to be a full time “creative” but that’s because I’m more intrigued by the business side to the arts world. I love being behind the scenes organizing and aligning projects. Coordinating environments for these artists to focus on their art, and I take care of the rest. In order though to do that full time, I have been doing freelance work and building my portfolio until I find an opportunity with either an incredible company or artist. Read more>>

Anthony Robinson

Yes I am completely happy as an independent artist. I don’t think about having a regular job. I’ve worked in corporate America for quite some time so I know what’s out there. Going back to a job is not an option for me. I’m a wild animal now! I’d feel caged. The freedom I have throughout the day is priceless. Read more>>

Larry Legend

Being an artist is what I love to do, it’s my passion, my escape, regardless of any issue that can occur. To wake up and do what you love to do for work and get paid for it is probably everyones dream and the dream I am still chasing. I still work a regular job on top of creating music. The thought of not wanting to work a regular job and just make music is my motivation and I constantly have these thoughts nonstop. I say for anyone chasing dreams and tired of working that 9-5, instead of looking at is as a regular job ask yourself, “how long do I want to do this for?” Read more>>

Tom Chambers

I am very happy as an independent … photographer and visual artist … and this state of being gives me great satisfaction. I am able to project “self” … my inner being … and I sometimes have great public impact, and even make money as a part of the process, on occasion. I have had other jobs over a long career, but my personal approach … production/creation as an artist … has always moved me forward and upward. Read more>>

Howard Kurtzman

As an artist, I’m constantly managing my time between painting, being creative, and figuring out the best marketing strategies for my business. So many times when I’m feeling deflated, out of steam, let down, or financially challenged, I think about my choices in life and if maybe I should have chosen another career. I’m surrounded by friends in the corporate world, listening to their daily lives, work experiences, successes and failures. I try to imagine myself in their situations. I fantasize about the steady income, but realistically, I’d be fired before end of day on my first day. Read more>>

Bianca Coletti

I am extremely happy as an artist, designer & visionary! I have always chosen my own authentic, creative & spiritual path. My parents, both artists and architects had a big influence on my childhood. Since I was young I was encouraged to study art and fashion. As I choose this path, everything is un-predictable! I never really think if I had a regular job or hours because part of my success was always pushing forward! I am thankful to have my own hours and responsibilities- managing a company, factory, employees, orders, clients, social media & press & being the designer of my own label and brand since 1997. Read more>>

stephanie gonzalez

Although I thrive and work in isolation. What I miss from working a regular job is human interaction. I like working in a team to get things accomplished. I got a sense of working a regular job before I decided to go full-time as an artist eight years ago. I worked at a couple of art consulting firms for four years before taking the leap. In that time, I got a sense of what it’s like to be in a 9 – 5 environment. Overall, it is true that to be a full-time artist is more difficult, but the freedom that comes with it makes everything worth it. That and being able to use my time to do work that inspires others makes me never want to look back. Read more>>

Donna Mesa

“desk job”. It’s not my personality! And while I can admit having a 9-to-5 job does offer a certain type of stability routine and predictability for others … I know myself and I would be miserable if I didn’t have the professional outlet to express myself and my talents and my passions. I need excitement, I want excitement, I value the art of excitement in my daily life and especially as part of my job. For me, it’s never been about becoming rich or needing my paycheck to validate my job. I would rather LOVE what I do and be happy with myself for doing what I love! Read more>>

Marilyn Biles

I am very happy as an artist. Ever since I can remember being an artist was who I was, its brought me so much fulfillment. I love sharing my art, especially when someone also has a personal connection with a painting. At one point I was teaching art to young students, children’s natural creativity has always inspired me and given me much joy. The regular jobs I had in the past always consisted of or focused on art. I have no regrets in the jobs I chose to do even when I was not a full time artist. Every experience brought insight to my paintings in new ways. Read more>>

Kyle Vawters

I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted an art career in some shape or form. I was definitely a daydreamer and constantly drawing on my homework. My teacher definitely loved that too. In highschool, while watch a crap ton of Food Network cake competitions, all I could say was ” Thats it. I want to do THAT for the rest of my life.” I’m pretty positive my younger self would think older me is pretty damn cool and thats everything, man. I also love painting skateboards as well, but cakes and cookies are my favorite canvas. When you are a cake decorator, you ARE an artist. Read more>>