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.

Alys Del Valle

I’m genuinely happy as a creative. Being an artist is part of who I am — I’ve been creating my whole life, and I was raised by an artist, so it’s always been the world I’ve known. Art isn’t just something I do, it’s how I express myself, how I connect with others, and how I move through life. Read more>>

Mike Margolis

The transition from the seafood business to full-time artistry was like stepping off a relentless treadmill and into a world where creativity flows freely. I can still recall my days in food service, a symphony of ringing phones, early wakeups, and the never-ending dance of coordinating with restaurant owners, egotistical chefs, penny-pinching purchasing agents, always needing their fresh catch before the day even began. It was a life of schedules, logistics, and late-night problem-solving. I survived on my knowledge of the industry, great relationships, the Great Book of Never-Ending Excuses (which I continued to add to almost every day), unbelievable stories, caffeine, and sheer determination, always racing against the clock. Read more>>

Brynne Dubin

I have been in the beauty industry, going on 15 years now. There have been numerous times in my career when I questioned this path. As a stylist behind the chair, there are always going to be times of uncertainty. Hair dressers rely on their clients to show up to their appointments in order to pay the bills, feed their families, and keep the salon lights on. In the past 5 years, I have seen many of my colleagues leave the industry due to the uncertainty of the economy, inflation costs, and clients unable to continue their salon spending habits. It can be discouraging and definitely make you question if this is a better career path than having a job with a salary, where you know the money is going to be there, and you get health insurance. Read more>>

Silvertongue

Pursuing music is scary. Growing up music was treated as a cool hobby but something you could never do as a “real” job. I have always been a creative person, whether it was arts & crafts, Legos, or robotics, I’ve always felt the urge to create something. The adults in my life always saw this and pushed me towards a career in engineering. Engineering or some sort of trade could have been fulfilling to me, but after trying out for a school musical I fell deeply in love with music. Read more>>

Sara Turk

I’ve already had the regular job. I worked as a nurse in the hospital and held other full-time jobs before I started my photography business. So when the thought of a “regular job” crosses my mind, it’s not out of curiosity it’s a reminder of what I’ve already walked away from. Read more>>

Christopher Akambe

The best decision I have ever made and never regretted is becoming an artist. I taught art and design full-time while simultaneously practicing my craft. At the same time, I led art apprenticeship programs for young people. After 10 years in the classroom, I retired from teaching to fully dedicate myself to my art career. Read more>>

Stephen Warwick

I’m happy and absolutely grateful to be a creative and that I’m able to express myself through music, but there are definitely times when composer work isn’t coming in, and in all transparency I haven’t had any paid music work for 4 months. I have a few side hustles like making cut & paste collages for band album covers, and I work at a small clothing boutique 2 days a week. I do think about getting a “regular” job constantly, however I value my happiness and making music and art is my passion and what drives me to push through the tough times. Read more>>

KYLE ERICKSON

I’m happier having a full time job which allows me to create on my own terms, not produce for the sake of earning a living. I do wish I was able to make a better living than I do now – primarily selling my artwork, but I understand the competitiveness of the arts and the struggles to gain notoriety enough to charge the steep prices my mosaic work deserves. Museums, Galleries, public art programs, and the general “ART” world are riddled with boring and worthless art that is basic and safe for all to view. Few artists are pushing the envelope, and the ones who are, I feel do it on their own terms without the help of Art institutions. It’s sad that one artist can create amazing work but not have the proper “in” to showcase, and another artist who has an art degree can tape a banana on the wall and be famous because their degree makes it art. Read more>>

Aurelia Belfield

I don’t think there is a more viable path for me personally. I love creative work, it is how my brain works and where I really thrive, whether it is curating music for film and television, curating a personalized wine list for a hospitality client, or directing a play. I love letting that part of my brain do heavy lifting. I’m also a people person and enjoy client facing work, and seeing my work make people happy or improve their lives in some way, that’s part of why I love making art! I wouldn’t be fulfilled right now as a bank teller or corporate project manager, but that’s just me and that’s just right now. Read more>>

Zhanna Shpits

I am absolutely happy to be an artist and a creative as I look back at what I have co-created in my life together with the Divine. In my Universe it is silly to think that all we achieve is our own creation. We have whispers and guidance. And when we learn to trust it, we observe what we call miracles. Since I was a little child, I had visions of me performing on stage in front of millions. I didn’t know what I was doing specifically-singing, teaching, speaking… All I saw was crowds of people listening to what I had to say. And the word that was so clear in my head was FREEDOM. I was not sure what all of that meant. All I remember is that every night before falling asleep I would see this image so clearly… Read more>>

Jessi Joplin

I’m definitely happier as an artist and creative. I’ve worked 9–5 jobs before, and while they offered stability, they always felt limiting – like I was dimming my light just to get through the day.

There was a moment last year when things got especially hard. I remember sitting in my car after a long day, completely drained, thinking, Would it be easier to just get a job again? The idea of clocking in, getting a steady paycheck, and not constantly being in survival mode was tempting, but it felt soul-crushing. Read more>>

Celia Gerard

I’m very aware of how fortunate I am to have a job I love. Every art sale is still a small miracle to me – I don’t take any of it for granted. As an artist and a college professor, I have the benefit of both working alone and working with – or primarily, for – others which is also an enormous gift. The work that I do is never- ending in the sense that if I’m not teaching, I’m preparing for a show or working on a commission, which can be overwhelming at times but it also affords me a flexible schedule so I can be more present with my family (my daughter is almost 6 1/2.) There is very little separation between work and life for me! Read more>>

Danielle Vishlitzky

The performance artist Marina Abramović has said “To know you’re an artist or not is like breathing. You don’t question breathing. You have to breathe otherwise you just die.” So I think happiness has never been the goal, because art making can be challenging and frustrating. Rather than a source of joy, my artwork is the place where I give myself the space to contend with my inner complexities, to try to work through questions of grief and privilege and generational trauma. Read more>>