Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Golmer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Karen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am happiest as a creative artist, but there is a part of me that craves balance with the technical/scientific world. Because of this I bounce between focusing on art and taking projects that put me in a position to help the world’s best scientists commercialize their technology. I also like to think that I use my creative, right side of the brain to help entrepreneurs.

Let’s face it, I am a chemist with an MBA. In high school my parents encouraged me to steer away from art and be practical- get a degree where I would be able to make a living. So, I got a two-year technical degree, became a technician, and continued my education to become a chemist and complete my MBA. All the while, the mysterious world of creative arts intrigued me. It was not until my ten-year-old showed some promising talent in art that I picked up the pencil and paint brush again. By the time he was 14, I was an artist full time and that lasted for about 6 years until I started dreaming about industrial factories and the work I did with major companies. For about 15 years after that I climbed the corporate ladder, got involved with a non-profit, a scientific start-up and went to work for a major university. My day job involved science and business and my respite on weekends was painting with friends. One fortunate aspect of my technical work is that it took me to places around the world so that I have many great photos to paint from.

One year ago I retired from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and since then have enjoyed painting full time with some occasional consulting on technological innovation. It’s a great balance and what I have learned is that for me it is all about balance and having choices. I would not be a good artist if I did not choose to spend my day painting. If I felt boxed in to produce art, my work would become stale and not have the fresh, bold look that has become my trademark.

My conclusion is that balance is important in life and strong impulses need to be followed. If I have taught my sons anything I hope it is that you can do anything you want as long as you work hard and find your own form of balance to enjoy the journey.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Painting for me is therapy and like taking a restful nap. I leave the stresses of the world and enter a space that is my own. If left undisturbed I can create a new piece of art that did not exist hours ago. I enjoy drawing and sketching with ink, but my primary media is watercolor. You can identify my work by the bold colors more typical of acrylic painting. I paint mainly with wet paint on wet paper and unlike acrylic painters, with watercolor I can achieve a transparent and rich pure or blended hue.

I am inspired by the colors and contrast in any scene. I think all artists see a view differently than others- literally see the light and dark and complimentary colors drawing focus…. a painting in waiting. I love to paint snapshots, especially of everyday life. In my work you will find people, places, vegetables, cows and even the dishes in my dishwasher! I do commissions but not often because they are more limiting.

My mission is to make people smile, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Mix it up! Local businesses do well to showcase local artists. Using Buttonwood Financial Group in Kansas City as a great example, businesses can display and even hold receptions to provide publicity and potential income to both the business and the artist. Let’s bridge the gap between creative and non-creative!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

A book that made an impact on me is A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink. The book was introduced to me by Kansas City Art Institute on parent’s weekend. It stresses the need for more than technical ability for scientists to compete in today’s world and references healthcare as an example. A correct diagnosis is not enough for us to be satisfied with our physician, we also want to feel that they care about our health. The story the book describes is a stage actress hired to teach medical students how to recognize and use non-verbal communication to provide kinder bedside manner- empathy.

Another example is that corporate recruiters look to art schools for talent. Many businesses value the high concept thinking an artist has to offer.

The point is that we need both the left and right sides of our brain to be successful- it’s all about balance and that is why I am not confused to be both a chemist with an MBA who has been successful in business and also an artist that creates some pretty cool paintings. For me the balance is a way of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karengolmer.com/
• Instagram: karengolmer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.golmer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-golmer-45544011/