Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Ghostlaw Pomarico. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Karen, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
My confidence and self-esteem were shaped by the powerful women and defining experiences in my life. My mother was my first role model, a strong and determined woman who left an abusive relationship and built an independent life on her own terms. She taught me that we create our own futures and that we should never feel dependent on anyone to define who we are. Following her example, I put myself through college with student loans, working hard and taking pride in earning my degree through my own dedication and discipline.
Raising and homeschooling my four children was another profound source of strength. Guiding them until they entered university was a humbling and transformative experience. As I watched them grow into confident and capable adults, I learned how essential it is to let people become who they are meant to be, to recognize their natural gifts, to encourage their resilience, and to celebrate their authenticity. In teaching them, I was also learning about myself.
When my children left home, I faced the question of who I was when I was no longer defined as a wife, a mother, or a teacher. That transition led me back to my photography, where I began a self-portrait study that has continued for sixteen years. Through this work, I rediscovered my identity as a woman and an artist. I explored my place in the world and the challenges that women confront and overcome. The process became a journey of reclamation, healing, and empowerment.
I have always chosen a nonconforming path and I feel most at peace when I am true to myself. Instead of bending to fit expectations, I embrace curiosity, especially when I am not accepted, because I value authenticity over conformity. I gravitate toward communities that welcome genuine connection and I give generously to those around me. The more support and kindness I offer, the more I receive in return.
At the core of my confidence is the belief in possibility. I do not view failure as an endpoint. I view it as an opportunity to learn. When failure becomes impossible because everything becomes growth, then strength becomes inevitable.
This is where my confidence and self-esteem come from. They come from a lineage of strong women, a commitment to authenticity, the transformative experience of raising children, and a lifelong dedication to self-discovery through my art.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a visual storyteller and multifaceted artist whose work examines the relationships between image, environment, and perception. My practice has always been rooted in collaboration, connection, and sustained engagement with people and place. As an honors graduate of Pratt Institute, I was mentored to see photography not only as a tool for visual storytelling but also as a medium for conceptual exploration. That foundation shaped the way I use movement, identity, and space to build narratives, particularly through what I call “the archaeology of reflections,” a long-term study of urban reflectivity and spatial interaction.
My work has been exhibited in 15 countries and 25 cities internationally, and these experiences continue to deepen my understanding of how visual language transcends borders. I have been honored with recognition along the way, including being selected by the NYC Journal as one of the Top 30 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2025 and recently being named one of the Top Ten Inspiring Women by MSN.
A meaningful part of my professional life is my role as a signature member of NAWA, an organization devoted to advancing women in the arts. Supporting women artists is a deeply personal mission for me. The confidence and self-esteem I developed throughout my life and career are gifts I want to pass on to others. I believe in creating opportunities where women can feel empowered, valued, and seen, and I actively work to foster environments where their voices and visions can thrive. Helping women artists embrace their strength, independence, and authenticity is one of the most important aspects of my work.
As Co-Founder of The Pictorial Foundation and Editorial Director of The Pictorial List magazine, I extend that passion into a broader global community. These platforms allow me to support artists worldwide through collaboration, publication, connection, and dialogue. And now, we are entering a new and very exciting chapter.
In January 2026, The Pictorial Foundation will officially open its doors in Newburgh, New York, bringing The Pictorial List to life in a physical space for the first time. This not-for-profit organization is built on a mission that resonates deeply with my personal values: to create a space where photography and the visual arts intersect with contemporary thought, fostering experimentation, collaboration, and community. Through exhibitions, publications, residencies, and art-based initiatives, we champion diverse voices and encourage bold, risk-taking practices as a catalyst for connection and reflection.
This next chapter unites everything I care about — my artistic practice, my belief in community, my mentorship of women, and my dedication to elevating artists globally. It is the continuation of a lifelong journey rooted in empowerment, creative exploration, and the profound belief that art can change how we see ourselves and the world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I can see that three core qualities shaped my journey: curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to community. Curiosity pushed me to explore photography not only as a visual craft but also as a conceptual language. It helped me see the world through movement, reflection, and spatial relationships, and kept me grounded in the idea that learning never truly ends.
Resilience allowed me to grow through challenges, mistakes, and the vulnerable moments that come with putting one’s work into the world. It helped me keep pushing boundaries, seek out new ways of expressing ideas, and stay true to my artistic voice even when the path felt uncertain.
My commitment to building and nurturing community became central to who I am as both an artist and a leader. Co-founding the Pictorial Foundation and serving as Editorial Director for The Pictorial List strengthened my belief in the power of collaboration and shared storytelling. These roles taught me how meaningful it is to support others, foster dialogue, and create platforms where artists can thrive.
My involvement with NAWA deepened this value even further. Supporting women in the arts is extremely important to me because I want to help instill confidence and self-esteem in other women artists. Empowering one another creates a ripple effect that strengthens us all, and this mission continues to guide my work and the spaces I help shape.
For those at the beginning of their journey, I would encourage embracing curiosity and being unafraid to explore new approaches. Stay resilient, because growth often comes from the most uncertain moments. And finally, surround yourself with a creative community. Collaboration, connection, and shared support will take you further than you ever imagined on your own.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
If I knew I only had a decade left, I would live it exactly as I am living now: with intention, passion, and gratitude. My mother passed away at the age I am today, sixty-three, and that reality stays with me. It has shaped the way I think about time. Maybe that is why, when many of my friends are choosing retirement, I am choosing to open a nonprofit foundation. Instead of slowing down, I feel more energized than ever.
The people I meet around the world, the communities I belong to, and the artists I support continually inspire me to reach higher. I absolutely love what I do, and I have loved each chapter of my life. I carry no regrets. Every experience, every challenge, and every connection has led me to this moment.
If I had ten years left, I would keep living fully and fearlessly. I believe deeply that positivity is contagious. Hate breeds hate, but love breeds love, and I choose love every single day. My mission is to make that kind of positive energy impossible to ignore. Supporting others gives my days meaning, and I am profoundly grateful for the community that supports me in return.
In the decade ahead, whether it is my last or simply the next, I want to keep creating, keep giving, and keep lifting others up. I want to build something lasting, something that continues to empower artists long after I am gone. If love can ripple outward through our actions, then my final decade will not be an ending. It will be a legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karenghostlaw.com /.https://www.pictorialfoundation.org /https://www.thepictorial-list.com/
- Instagram: @karen.ghostlaw
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