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.

Natalia Santaliz

When I graduated from my Masters I had a whole plan in my head of what my personal and professional life would looked like. I had goals and dreams that where not necessary realistic. When I realized that none of these plans where becoming a reality I experienced for the first time the -not so fun- aspect of being a freelancer. It made me question my decisions and wonder how my life would looked like if I had a regular job. Read more>>

Kemare Garner

Sometimes I feel like there is a misconception when it comes to artists. Usually when you hear the word “artist”, the first thing one may think is someone who paints and have a quirky personality. Or an individual who sings and is an extrovert. For me, I am happy being an artist, however, it’s tough sometimes because I feel as if one needs to have a certain level of self-awareness in order to create. Everything I have ever painted in my life so far, reflects my emotions at that given time. Read more>>

Amanda Parra

Feeling like my dreams and love for my craft impede on the happiness of my family is an on and off again battle. I come have modeled on and off for more than 20 years. On a very long break, one I thought that I would not return to modeling from, I was a corporate employee. I was ready to make a life in corporate America. Read more>>

Amy Heller

I believe that I am equally as happy being both. I have had regular jobs while simultaneously creating my artwork and I prefer the balance of doing both. However, when Covid hit I made a decision to leave a job that I loved so that I could pursue my artwork full-time. I had a book that I was working on plus several museum exhibitions and I was a that proverbial “fork in the road.” Deadlines were looming, so the decision was clear: I needed to devote myself to my art, and have been doing so ever since. Read more>>

Kadeem Phillip

I would have to say, that I am truly happy as a full time artist/creative. I won’t lie and act as if it is a perfect thing. That there has not been a few bumps in the road, & that I have not seen my share of ups & downs. It’s actually been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. For the better part of the last 3 years, all of my income has been a result of my creative endeavors. Now, it isn’t always consistent. It definitely has it’s highs and its lows. Read more>>

Kelly Angelovic

We were juniors in college, and my roommate was an art major. I can still vividly remember how I felt. She got to paint while I was grinding away in the business school–and I was SO envious. Don’t get me wrong, I chose to study marketing. As a 20 year-old kid, unsure of what I wanted after college and buoyed by an upbringing in pragmatism, the b-school was a ‘smart’ choice. Being an art major was not. Read more>>

MATTHEW ROSE

Yes, as an artist I’m free to create and to modify, mid course, my aesthetic choices. I have had regular, office jobs. I have worked closely with people (in offices and studios), but working at my own pace and connecting with creatives across the planet at their own pace, makes my life a daily lesson in cooperation and forces me to better understand what we are doing here on Earth Read more>>

Alexia Boukou

I never thought I would be a press-on-nails artist or even an artist in general. I’ve been working in corporate since I was 18 years old so being an entrepreneur is definitely different. I love what I do, and I have the freedom to create my schedule, my designs, and my days off. The last time I had this thought, it brought a lot of mixed feelings because it reminds me of how much I miss human interaction. Read more>>

Ashley Hoskins

The professional work that I do is closely tied to how I define myself personally. I haven’t always identified as a creative. Prior to committing to working full-time focusing on my creative pursuits, I wore many professional hats. I have had careers as a classroom teacher, quality control/assurance professional, legal assistant and most recently, a trial coordinator. All of those careers appear to be reputable and financially stable careers. Read more>>

Spazz King

I would say I’m happy as who I am, because I am an artist, If I am creating or taking a step, I continue to be happy, while it does add joy to my life, I’m Not defined by the title. I don’t necessarily wonder what it’s like to have a regular job because I’ve had several of those, it doesn’t fulfill me, sometimes I do wonder what it would be like to explore different avenues outside of art, like but every time I do somehow my mind always goes back to creating. Read more>>

l Talia Tkaczyk

I am very happy creating shell designs, yes. I definitely feel very blessed. Have I wondered what it would be like to have a regular job? No, haha, I have not. Actually, I know very well what a normal job feels like. When I was 23 years old, I finished my education as a Registered Nurse (RN), passed nursing boards, and went straight to work in a local emergency department (ED) as a new graduate RN. Read more>>

Max Brownawell

I paint on handbags, mainly Hermes Birkins and Kellys. Before I started painting full time I was a Specialist at an auction house specializing in collectible handbags, mainly Hermes Birkins and Kellys. I started off painting a bag of my own, but when people saw me carrying it, they loved it and would ask if I could paint theirs. So after about a year of painting on the side I left that job to paint full time. Read more>>

Zemira Israel

I am definitely happier as an artist, creative, music business advocate and entrepreneur. I’ve been very blessed to not have to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job for a long time now. My lord-husband, Bezaleel Israel, takes great care of me. I wouldn’t mind picking up a part time gig to help finance a lot of our business endeavor costs and home living expenses. There’s no shame in that. I encourage other creatives to do so if it makes sense for their life. Read more>>