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.

Sanket Mehare

Framing Dreams: The Emotional Journey Behind the Camera
Life has a way of steering us toward our true calling, often through paths we least expect. My story began with a diploma in mechanical engineering, but my heart was captivated by something entirely different—photography. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a passion, one that filled my soul with a sense of purpose I had never felt before. Read More>>

Jasmine Stewart

I am extremely happy as a creative! However, in the past, I have wrestled with uncertainty, questioning whether this career path is the most practical to pursue. While I have always been passionate about the culinary arts and the expression of creativity, I also recognized that I had other academic strengths that could allow me to pursue a career that may be more direct. In high school, when faced with the task of choosing a college major, I was considering pursing a career in law. My mother is a lawyer, and it made sense to me to one day take over her law firm, ensuring I would always have a stable income and place of employment. However, when it came time to make the decision, Read More>>

Marycarmen Portillo

Being an artist is undeniably challenging when it comes to income. It’s essential to take care of ourselves. Sadly, money is required for expenses such as food, housing, gym subscriptions. However, we, artists, refuse to take on a job that doesn’t align with our passion, because it could totally become a burden, draining your energy and creativity among other mental issues. Read More>>

Aaron Kane

In short, I am definitely happy as an artist. The funny thing though is that I do have a regular job as well. What makes me happy is knowing that I can balance both jobs. Granted I would love to only have just the one job in art and not the regular job, but that is the goal I am reaching for. It makes me happy to think about that goal and it’s what drives me to keep working hard. A bad day at my regular job Is completely removed as soon as I enter my home studio, when I’m there, nothing else really matters and I find myself at piece. Read More>>

August Hundley

I am happier as an artist now that I am my true self! When I was starting out auditioning and looking for creative work I may want to do, I wasn’t happy mentally or physically, but during the pandemic I truly got to look inward and discover things about myself I didn’t know were there. I was working retail in Carytown and was so unhappy in general with not being able to spend time in a creative space, and then a job opened up at Swift Creek Mill Theater as the Education Director and I said “Why not?” My mom is in education, and I’ve taught classes and had plenty of experience, so I took that risk. It’s been my full time work ever since. Read More>>

Monica Perez

My soul has never been more full, satisfied, and happy in any other area since I have been working as an artist and creative. There have been numerous times I have wondered and even tried to get a “regular job”, and every single time, (I went to research either rejoining the military or going back to studying medicine) the path never allowed for that. The doors would remain shut. Other times I would feel overwhelmed about having to either beg for my creative jobs to pay me on time, or at all, or when the income was unstable, I would lean into prayer. The answer was and has always been the same. I am to stay in the arts. Read More>>

Nikki Burfield

I can’t think of a better use of my talents and time than creating art. While it has no functional usage aside from maybe boarding up the windows in the event of a hurricane but otherwise the sole purpose of art is to convey a feeling and hopefully connect with an audience. Read More>>

Amelia Rozear

I love being an artist– I wouldn’t want it any other way. The feeling of creating something unique while practicing a craft is so powerful. The satisfaction that comes with getting deep into a project and seeing it through is worth every frustration. However, being a working artist also involves lots of anxiety, doubt, guilt, and mental strain. The negatives don’t just disappear. Read More>>

Hakon Ademi

This is a question that I really wanted to be answering for a long time! Am I happy as an actor? I will say absolutely!
I can not imagine any better way of living than doing something you love and are passionate about for a living! Read More>>

Evan Strand

I have always been a very logical person. Extremely good at mathematics, and science. However, for some reason I was always drawn to the arts. I’ve never quite put my finger on why. I’ve been keenly aware that I would be quite successful in a great number of analytical environments to test and measure my logical output. The arts has just continued to win my attention. Read More>>

Shaheed Rucker

I find great fulfillment and joy in pursuing life as a creative. However, i can’t shake the idea of what security looks like, and how my future will shape. so im constantly entertaining the idea of working for an agency or company that allows me to exercise my creativity while having some form of financial security. Its something that’s consistent in my way of thinking but then I occasionally get a wave of opportunity as a creative and then it’s postponed. Read More>>