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.

Roshelle Simpson

I love all forms of art. As a creative person, I often feel an incessant need to create. In my previous life as a chef, an idea would come to me for a dish that I *needed* to try. As a voice actor, I get these characters in mind that I *have to* play with, live inside their heads for a while and document it. Or when I’m writing, it’s like this thing is living inside of me and *must* come out. Read more>>

Carol Steinberg

I really don’t know any other way to be. I’m kind of go with the flow and rely heavily on my feelings and intuition to tell me what to do next. I’ve almost never had a “regular job”–almost always sporadic and part time work. I do feel that a regular job might have helped me be more disciplined. And discipline is something I admire greatly. I do have a lot of it in myself, but one can always have more. I suppose it’s the opposite of doing what one feels like that is easier…but in a way, the discipline is actually easier–less decisions that need to be made. Read more>>

Jennifer McCracken

I’ve known since I was a child that I was an artist at heart, but I didn’t get my actual creative footing untill Sept 2018! Before that I was working at a pawn shop! I was managing the online fire arm sales and transfers. While working full time at that job felt myself sinking into a depressive state. The most creativity I had the time for was dying my hair whacky colors! Since my departure from that position I havent held any other “regular” jobs. I’ve been a full time artist since the before mentioned September 2018! There are numerous downs to owning your own business and being a full time creative. Such as low sales, creative mind blocks and the inevitable oopsies that are bound to happen. At those times I miss having a “regular” job. The stability of knowing where my next paycheck was had its comforts. However the upside of working for yourself and being a creative mind is all the joy that it brings into the world. My customers are what makes it worth it for me, not to mention the creative release that is available!! Read more>>

Brian Mullins Music and Video Producer, Director & Executive

Well, I also do have a regular job LOL so I wouldn’t know what that feels like but I do feel most happy during the creative process. When we are in the studio working on something, or when I’m shooting a video thats when I feel most happy and at peace. I enjoy the challenge and that feeling I get of working towards something that I know is gonna be dope and it gives me fulfillment to trust myself and my feelings. I draw inspiration from other creatives as well. Read more>>

Snowy Zhang

Becoming a professional concept artist has been a dream come true, and the reality has far exceeded my expectations. Collaborating with other incredibly talented artists to create amazing images and designs has been a truly rewarding experience. The shift to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been surprisingly convenient and comfortable, allowing for greater flexibility in my work routine. Read more>>

Jonathan Douglas Braverman

Yes!. I can’t thinking my life without being an artists and making music. For me the Music is my passion, my life, my everything. Without my music career life will not have sense at all. Is the way I’am, the way I breath. Sometimes I wonder how will be my life as a regular job and definitely will not me!. When I was young, I was so creative, I draw a lot and when I grow up I start to create mixes, edits, remixes, and I know that music will be my full time job and I worked so hard to happened (I’m still working on that). Read more>>

Alexandra Winthrop

I’ve been on both sides of the fence between 9-to-5 jobs and creative careers, and both sides have their pros and cons. I do envy the stability and mental security provided by a salary and benefits. I miss the separation of business hours from private life, and the expectation that work life won’t bleed into my off the clock hours. Being a self employed artist means that there’s often very little boundary between your business and your free time, especially when you do any amount of creative work in your living space. I conjure illustrations where I eat my meals, spend hours meant for sleep on restocking my merchandise, and receive tattoo inquiries while shopping for groceries. My paycheck is a direct reflection of hours put in everything from formulating my art to marketing to physically hawking my wares. At the same time, my business is entirely my own. My work hours are my own to decide. I have a say in what projects I accept. My business is a facet of myself and my values. Read more>>

Jahna Rae

I had a full time job for many years before becoming a full-time artist. Painting full-time has always been a goal of mine but it does come with some struggle. Inconsistency in work or projects can be scary but I believe if I keep putting myself and my work out there the result will be fruitful. I’m not sure where my career will go from here but I’m looking forward to the journey. Read more>>

Jalynne Carter

I am very happy as a creative. I’ve worked my fair share of regular jobs and I always quit them. I’d always be excited starting a new adventure with whatever company I decided to work at. But, I’d always hit a wall when I’ve been there for so long. I’d get very depressed and unmotivated. I just realized that I’m not doing what I love to do which is, writing and voice work. Since I was a kid I’ve always known working a “regular job” wasn’t it for me. I’ve always known I was going to create. Read more>>

Angie Petty

I’m extremely happy as an artist! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I feel as though I’ve really come into my own in this career path in the last 2 years. I’m doing things I could only have dreamed of 10 years ago. But it’s not all roses, there’s days I question if this is something I can do long term and continue to make a living. I constantly get in my head about again and what that will mean, especially as a woman. I’d like to have kids…one day but I don’t know what this career will look like for me as a mom. I always wonder what it would be like to have a “normal” job with steady income and a 401k and all that. But, I’m happy and I take it day by day. As long as I’m happy, that’s what matters most. Until music doesn’t make me happy, I’ll keep at it. Read more>>

Braiden Wade

I’m happy with being a creative, it’s fulfilling and I get to meet so many people. It’s a way for me to express the ideas I either daydream or think about. The reality sets in sometimes though, the fact that not just my passion can fuel my projects. Money is a constant for me to fuel these ideas. Although working a 9 to 5 isn’t ideal, right now I have to work a “regular” job to make money. The reason why I said “regular” is that most of the jobs I either work or apply to, I try to make sure they incorporate my passion. This past year it’s been difficult because it’s been less projects and more work. I didn’t have that balance between passion and work because I needed to make money. This summer I told myself that I don’t want to do that again and I want to create more passion projects. I see other creatives and I’m happy for them, especially the ones who become full time creatives. I’m seeing what it takes to become full time, and yeah it sucks, but the journey isn’t all bad. With my senior year of college coming up, I’m taking the necessary steps to make sure I’m as financially free as possible. I want to be able to create and collab more this year, especially with a few projects I have in mind right now. Overall, I’m happy as a creative and right now I’m okay with working a “regular” job, because I’m hoping it won’t be forever. Read more>>

Laura Aranda

To me, being an artist has been a whirlwind. I believe I am happy in general, nevertheless, the art process has very dark and obscure days. There is a lot of uncertainty regarding what your next project might be, or if collectors and galleries are interested in your work and will purchase it. Art has also given me the greatest satisfactions, creating a new project, bringing my vision to life and seeing it on display at an exhibition or art collector’s space is incredibly gratifying. It has algo iven me the opportunity of meeting the most interesting peolpe, such as fellow artists, who always teach me something new. Read more>>

Jackson Kirchhoff

I genuinely think about the fact that I get to earn a living making art every single day. Being a tattooer is the only job I’ve been good at and enjoyed. I try to keep things in perspective when I’m having an off day. I’ve had regular jobs in the past and I was never good at them nor did I like waking up in the morning because of that. I try to remember how much I disliked having a regular job when I’m having a hard time being grateful for the life I have now. I will never have a regular job again. Read more>>

Ian Ingram

Happy schmappy. “Happy” is just a blip on the creative radar. It’s such a small piece of pie on the pic chart of creative life. Comes into focus and then flits away. I do wonder what a regular job would be like, mostly the paycheck part. And the healthcare. And the monotony. And the participation in commerce and “culture” and 401ks, oh and pensions! But mostly the paychecks, predictable monthly income. Lack of mild panic as a theatrical backdrop to life. This is such a strange pair of questions: Yes, I’m so totally happy when I’m following my own whim or compass and making something new out of the detritus life puts in front of me. I love it to a fault. It makes me happy angry. It makes me conflict happy like a blood diamond. Guilty and happy. Stupid genius that I am. Read more>>

Hikaru Haneda

I’ve always had this burning curiosity and an urge to dive into different disciplines and categories. I find myself constantly contemplating what it would be like to immerse myself in different professions and fields. Currently, I’m working full-time as a studio assistant in the creative field, and whenever I have some free time, I’m busy creating my own artwork. But before landing this job, I embarked on diverse professional experiences, including working as a behavioral therapist and as a restaurant server. Each of these previous roles has profoundly influenced my artistic journey and shaped my perspective. Read more>>

Jana Cruder

This is a powerful question for me, at this moment. Over all I am incredibly grateful, and remind my self regularly that happiness is in the moment and to stop and be grateful. I have foraged a path of my own existence for that I am incredibly grateful, for me there is no other way, its also in my blood multi-generationally. I sometimes do fantasize about having a ” job ” something I show up to and leave and do’t think about till I go back to it the next day. I fantasize about healthcare coverage and employer contributions to a 401K matching my contributions. Those are the things that I think are perks. In reality, I send money towards my future investments on good years and when art have big sales other years I wean off savings and hustle more than others. I very much value and deeply appreciate the opportunity to collaborate commercially or in my art. I’m a contractor, and love that line or flow, it works for me. I sign onto a bran or an organization for a period of time and know at some point I’ll move on. All while continuing to build my work, and use those resources to support the building of my art and business. It’s quite a symbiotic relationship at this time. Many artists or contract workers allow the contract work to be all consuming, for me I make sure I’m always building my skills, art business alongside, I simply never put it down and its success is as equally as important as the clients I create with and the projects I creatively direct. It is all my thumbprint and essence even if it’s coming in from all different channels its all me experiential installs, visual content or creative directing. Read more>>

Brandon Green

Working on my own to create something from nothing is at times surreal. I do wonder what it would be like to have a “regular” job…but then I wonder what is “regular”? Even when I had full time employment with bigger companies, the hours were never set and each project was it’s own unique journey. I like finding the path to telling the story, whatever the story is at the time. I’ve always done life and work this way and cannot imagine being happy in any other situation. Read more>>

Nancy Greenberg

I have always loved everything cross stitch ever since I was a young girl and testing out all kinds of creative hobbies like knitting, painting, crocheting, and cross stitch. As soon as I had my first stitches on the fabric I knew I had found my calling! From stitching as a hobby to learning how to design my own charts and watching things organically grow from there as I became a published designer and slowly built up my following over many years, I feel deeply that I have landed in the best profession ever – and I have never looked back either. I have been designing for the last 20 years and have no plans to stop any time soon. My only dream is that I can design full time as opposed to my current set-up which includes regular employment in the real estate field. I suppose at the end of the day I just love dealing with people from all walks of life and learning as I go along, but the thought of getting up to cross stitch occupying my entire day/work hours makes me really smile and know that I am on my way to achieving that goal at some point. The biggest obstacle for me with balancing a regular day job and my job as a Designer is finding enough evening and weekend hours to design, stitch my models, refine my charts before publication and balancing social media, email, and the networking that is so important to my continued growth. If only there were more than 24 hours in a day! Read more>>

David S. Park

I come from a family without a musical background. I didn’t think I was going to take up and fall in love with music until I graduated from high school in 2016. I remember my mother buying me an electric keyboard when I was 5 years old; I started enjoying it so much to the point where, a year later, I started taking piano lessons, and I still receive lessons to this day. I also took up another skill in the form of music production a little over 2 years ago–I was 24 that time and I was just finishing up my first year as a Master’s student (I’m 26 as of this publication). I am a man of multiple musical talents and I am proud to have possessed those talents; therefore, I am very happy to become a multi-talented musician, and this is something want to take up for the rest of life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. Read more>>

Dominique McNeal

Embarking on my entrepreneurial journey after years in the corporate world proved to be an enlightening path, as it bestowed invaluable knowledge and experiences beyond compare. While I cherish those previous ventures, venturing out on my own unlocked a newfound quality of life and unbridled happiness that I had never experienced before. Don’t get me wrong; entrepreneurship comes with its challenges, demanding unwavering patience and faith, particularly when venturing into uncharted territories. Yet, despite the obstacles, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The sheer joy that accompanies waking up every day, knowing that I am fulfilling my true calling, is absolutely priceless. Read more>>

Mercury Baxley

I am happy as an artist. I do think I end up working more hours than if I had a regular full time job, but I am more fulfilled as a person. I’m grateful to be able to work in a screen printing studio, while working on my own art on the weekends. Previously, I was working in the produce department of a grocery store, while trying to work on my art on the weekends, but the stress and frustration from that work environment made it difficult for me to have the mental space to focus. Having the ability to creative problem solve while at work makes it a much more rewarding experience. Now, I’m a print technician in a screen printing studio four days a week and am able to participate in local art markets and events on the weekend. It really excites me and encourages me to do more when I get to talk with other creatives and people who love art on a regular basis. Read more>>

Quinn Storm

When I graduated from cosmetology school I was ecstatic. I felt that I knew everything I needed to know, had found the right job for me (the first and only salon I interviewed with), and that money would start flowing in once I opened my books to take clients. Fast forward a year and I was burnt out, struggling to make ends meet, and in a toxic salon atmosphere. To say that I was overwhelmed would be an understatement! When I left that first salon I felt like I had failed. Not only was I not rich and successful, but the environment had been so taxing to my psyche that I truly thought I would never do hair again. I decided to take a break and work a social media coordinating position at an insurance agency. Surely, I thought, this would be the only way to make money and be successful in life. Read more>>

Shea O’Connor

Thanks for having me and I’m happy to share. Well, drawing used to be my hobby, but now it’s my jobby :) I’m incredibly happy and grateful to be able to do something I love for a living. It’s truly a privilege that I am able to do this. On the hard days, I do wish there was a clear separation between my job and my passion. My first thought when making a piece is often, “How can I monetize this?” I don’t have the luxury of making something just for the joy of making something. There has to be a strategy and a target market. Read more>>

Raven (Ying) Hernandez

I had a regular job for 15 years and that is why as long as I can afford to support myself as a creative, I will! I spent years helping people build their “babies,” their companies; but there was too much creative passion inside of me not to take the plunge and go into business for myself. It was the best decision of my life and everyday I wake up grateful that all of my hard work now goes into building my own “baby.” I love the challenges, the lessons, the victories, the small milestones that show progress. The process is empowering and the knowledge that what was once an idea has sprouted to fruition is humbling and still sometimes quite unbelievable. Read more>>

Lisa Marvin

I have to say, I am one of the lucky artists out there. I am content with my current success. Before Covid started, I owned a spiritual wellness centre, and was successful in my career path. During Covid, I was stuck at home, much like everyone else, and saw this really cool artwork online. I dabbled as a portrait artist for many years, but I had never tried fluid art before. I was immediately obsessed with trying to achieve the illustrious Sheleeart Bloom. It just so happened, that Covid provided the time for me to dedicate hundreds of hours to it, which you need to be successful in this process! Read more>>

Stephanie Inagaki

I am very happy! I know what it’s like to have a regular job since I’ve been working since I was 16 and had multiple jobs during college and grad school to make ends meet. So I’m definitely happier being my own boss, being able to make and manage my own schedule, and run errands when there is not traffic! I have my schedules planned out months in advance so I’m prepped in time for my upcoming conventions and art shows. Read more>>

Timothy Martuch

Am I happy as a creative? Yes, mostly, I would say so. But it seems to me that that’s only one dimension. And it also seems to me that most artists–myself included–do our best work in difficult times. When tragedy or hardship strikes, I’m obviously not happy but I am fortunate enough to be able to cultivate all that into something that may provide others joy, inspiration, or comfort. It may also provide happiness for me down the line, too. So, for artists to be in optimal condition, we need to be constantly walking the line between order and chaos. Read more>>

Marissa Monroe

In general being an artist has made me happy, but it has caused low moments that have made me more emotional than a regular job might. When you turn your art into your full time job, the balance between work and life becomes paper thin. My hobby and passion (aka what most people do to unwind) is also my work. I dedicate so much time to it, that when things go wrong – it breaks my heart. It’s a consistent struggle to balance the need to make money with the desire to create what you truly want to.Read more>>

 Amanda Molder

I feel very blessed to be a creative. I found my niche, refined my skills, and am now on my highest path. Not everybody is lucky enough to discover their passion in this lifetime. I believe that whatever makes you happy, whatever you dream about doing, is your true purpose. If you are born with a creative talent, you were put on Earth to share that with people. But it is not easy, especially in a world where we are broken down and forced to be productive members of society. It is a delicate balance of chasing your dreams, but making sure you are grounded. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be stable and responsible, but I definitely make my art a priority. I set clear boundaries with my other jobs so that they understand dance comes first. Read more>>

Stefanie Anderson

I’m definitely happy as an artist. It’s my main outlet for being able to express myself and my love for the dark, weird and witchy.

As much as I would love to create full time, I don’t bring in a steady enough income to have it as my main profession. Sooo, I’m a cake decorator by day, crafter of the witchy and odd by night. This way, I’m able to pull in a regular income in a professional setting that I’m familiar with and have a passion for, but still able to create and sell things that I love for extra income. So it’s kind of a win win! Read more>>