We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sangeetha a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sangeetha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I’ve thought about it, but no—I don’t wish I’d started my creative career any sooner.

I spent nearly two decades as an electrical engineer before becoming a full-time painter. And honestly, I’m grateful for that. That career gave me financial independence, stability, and a bunch of skills I now rely on. It also built my tenacity and gave me the confidence to take risks—without the kind of stress I might’ve felt at 21. Starting again at 40, with childlike passion and adult resilience, feels like a privilege—and yes, still a risk. But it’s a risk I can take on my own terms. I get to follow my spark with intention, not pressure.

So no, I wouldn’t go back. I didn’t start late—I started ready.

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 back background and context?

I’m Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan—an electrical engineer turned plein-air oil painter, sustainability advocate, and founder of a women’s outdoors group in Orange County, California.

I grew up in India as a math and science nerd, with no artistic inclinations. I immigrated to the U.S. in 2007 for graduate school in electrical engineering. For 19 years, I built a successful career in tech, leading projects and teams in semiconductor chip design. In 2010, a back injury at the age of 26 from overworking at my new engineering job led me to have an active lifestyle and discover the power of the outdoors, and it completely changed my life. Looking back, that might have been the beginning of my search for something more purposeful and fulfilling beyond a desk job—even though I didn’t yet know what that would be. But I had quietly been preparing for it.

I got the first glimpse of my love for painting in 2020. Discovering that I could combine painting with being outdoors felt like entering a portal into bliss. It was like a puzzle quietly coming together—clear, complete, and unmistakably mine. By 2024, it had become a strong calling I left engineering entirely to become a full-time artist. Now, I spend my days hiking into the mountains, the desert and along the coast with my dog and my painting gear, painting directly from nature in remote places. These plein-air studies evolve into large studio pieces—bold, meditative landscapes that reflect both the mood of the wild and the stillness it brings.

My work is deeply personal, but also grounded in technical precision and sustainability. I only use non-toxic, eco-conscious materials in my oil painting—no toxic heavy metal-based paints, or any kind of chemicals—and my art business is certified as a California Green Business. I believe that the way we create is just as important as what we create.

I’ve sold through galleries, art shows, and directly to collectors. I’ve won awards in this short time, and more importantly, I’ve built relationships with people who say my paintings feel dreamy and remind them of places they love and want to return to in spirit. I offer original oil paintings, commissions, and prints. Every piece I create is an invitation to pause, breathe, and connect with something real.

Beyond painting, I am deeply passionate about enabling women explore wilderness areas, discover outdoor activities, and connect with like-minded adventurers. I run the OC Women’s Outdoors and Wilderness Group, which I started in 2019 is now 1,000+ members strong, and we host regular hikes, multi-day backpacking trips and other outdoor adventures.

What sets my artwork apart is the combination of lived experience, craftsmanship, and care. I didn’t start painting young—but I started with intention, clarity, and a full heart. That’s what I bring into every canvas. What am I most proud of? That I’m doing this as a second career—starting from scratch, learning the craft like a child: with curiosity, care, and passion, that I gave myself permission to begin again—and to show up fully.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Two books that really helped with mindset and learning are ‘Mastery’ by Robert Greene and ‘Obstacle is the Way’ by Ryan Holiday. The book that guided me in my art marketing is ‘Artpreneur: The Step-By-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity’ by Miriam Schulman.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part is the freedom to create from the heart and to witness beautiful art come to life through you. A close second is watching someone else being moved by that same creative spirit. When they stand in front of your painting, quietly lost in it— that moment is so rewarding for an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sangeethag.com
• Instagram: @sangeethagartist

Image Credits

All photos credited to Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan