Introducing "The Full-Time Part-Time Artist" and the myth of the ideal creative life

A short field guide for working creatives from author/illustrator Michael Regina

I wanted to drop in and share a new zine project I just launched. It’s called The Full-Time Part-Time Artist.

This is a project I’ve had on my mind for quite some time. Many of you know my books and my YouTube videos, but not everyone realizes that I do all of this while still working a regular 9-to-5, raising a family, and trying to build a life full of friendships and purpose.

It’s not easy, let me tell you.

But that’s exactly what this zine is about.

The Full-Time Part-Time Artist is a 24-page field guide to how I’ve managed to build a creative career I’m proud of—and one I’ve always dreamed of—despite having to do most of it in the margins of my time.

Here’s what you’ll find inside

• 24 pages of content and illustrations.

• 10 articles covering topics such as:

  • The myth of the ideal creative life

  • Embracing the day job

  • Reframing failure

  • And more

• Three reflection exercises with every article, designed to help you build your own creative process instead of simply following mine.

• A link to additional resources from other creators to help you continue the journey beyond the zine.

The zine is $12 plus shipping (U.S. shipping only for now) for a physical copy, which also includes the PDF, or $5 for the PDF-only edition.

Here’s a quick look at the zine itself.

I’m really happy with how it turned out. But even more than that, I hope this little project has a big impact for those of you building your own creative careers and artistic projects while holding down the rest of life.

And if you’re feeling discouraged, I hope it gives you permission to start exactly where you are—without waiting for the perfect circumstances and without resentment.

As a preview, here’s the first full article:

The myth of the ideal creative life

It’s easy to feel unhappy as a creative person (or any person, for that matter) when you imagine a fantasy version of another creator’s life is perfect and compare it to your own. I did this for years. When I was younger and trying to turn art into a career, I thought landing a book deal or the right job would make everything fall into place. I believed I’d be happier, more financially secure, and finally feel like I had “made it.” I expected one big opportunity to fix more than it really could.

Eventually, I realized that wasn’t true. I saw friends and other artists get the chances I thought would fix everything, but they still faced the same struggles. They got the book deal or the creative job, and while those were great achievements, they didn’t take away doubts, money worries, tough situations, relationship issues, or life’s everyday problems. Some still needed another source of income to survive or had the same questions about creative work that I did. That was a bit disappointing, but it was also a relief. It helped me stop expecting my art or my job to solve everything. A contract, a project, or a finished book doesn’t have to change your whole life to matter. It can just be a good thing that happened, and that’s enough.

Creative success doesn’t remove ordinary human struggles

When you stop chasing the idea of a “perfect” creative life, you can focus more on improving your skills and feeling proud of your work. You can see the progress you make and the projects you finish as their own successes. This lets you enjoy the journey you’re on instead of feeling like you’ll never arrive. Your perspective on your own life shapes a lot of how you see it. In my experience, you’ll find more peace by slowing down, working on your craft, and letting your creative path develop at its own pace. The goal isn’t to build some perfect version of an artist’s life—it’s impossible and never as glamorous as you think. The goal is to make good work, keep learning, celebrate your successes, and enjoy the life you have.

Quick exercises

1. Name the fantasy. Ask yourself: Do I want the work, or do I want the life I imagine comes with the work? Be honest. A lot of clarity can come from this one.

2. Redefine success. List three creative wins that are within your control. This could be something like buying a notebook to start on an idea, outlining a new story, or creating a new piece of art. Tackle them, then go celebrate!

3. Reality-check your heroes. Think of one creative person whose life or career you admire. Listen to some interviews with them where they discuss their path and the struggles they face. Does anything surprise you?

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The Full-Time Part-Time Artist is available now! Pick up your copy on my online store.

Thank you so much to all of you for your support! And hey, if this zine resonates with you, I’d love to hear what you think. Feel free to email me on my contact page.

Also, stickers coming soon! :-)