Molly Goehring Burke of Albuquerque, New Mexico on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Molly Goehring Burke and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Molly, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
Starting over is difficult. It seems very obvious, but I underestimated just how hard it would be to move my art practice.

I relocated from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to Albuquerque, New Mexico in May of 2024. It was a quick move, and a big one (almost 2,000 miles!), and I thought I was ready to dive right back in as an artist. Turns out, huge life changes can have a strong affect on a person– who knew, right? In the time it took me to unpack my suitcases, I realized that everything was going to change. Not just my name– kept the “Goehring” and added my new married name, Burke– but also who I am.

I’ve spent the past year and a half immersed in a different culture, meeting new people, and trying to figure out where I want to go in life. I thought I could hole up in the spare bedroom, throw paint around for three months, and dive right in to the Albuquerque art scene. What actually happened was a kind of identity crisis, and I found it nearly impossible to make anything that felt “right.” I was very anxious, I had doubts, and I wondered if art was still the right path for me. Would this new version of myself still be an artist? Where would I fit in this strange, beautiful place?

I am happy to say that I am finding my footing. Albuquerque has a vibrant, exciting art community, and everyone I’ve met so far has welcomed me with open arms. My work has taken me in exciting new directions, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I’m able to create in the coming weeks, months, and years. It’s taking more time than I expected, and a lot of soul-searching, but I’m getting there.

Art business is no joke. It’s hard to get started, and harder to maintain. Relocating is a struggle, both professionally and personally, but it can really open up your world. Patience is key.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Molly Goehring Burke, and I am a painter and mixed-media artist living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

My work explores a multitude of themes, primarily focused on my personal experiences. My journey with mental illness as well as chronic illness are commonly woven throughout my compositions, as well as my Catholic upbringing. Bold, saturated colors are a staple in my creations, whether they come in the form of recycled fabrics, splashes of acrylic paint, or bold scribbles of oil pastel. My exploration of the figure mixes with my love of linework and abstraction, creating dynamic pieces which entertain the intuitive while staying grounded in the representational. Each work is driven by emotion, intuition, and the desire to depict reality in a way that goes beyond what is visible in the everyday.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Perfectionism. It’s kind of funny, because I’m pretty sure nobody is saying, “Wow, that Molly sure uses a lot of clean lines and photorealistic elements,” when viewing my work. But, I do have this inner voice telling me that everything I do has to be ‘correct.’ The inner voice never tells me what ‘correct’ is, but I have to be it. Every time. No matter what.

It’s neither healthy nor true. I think it’s held me back, both creatively and personally. The more I experiment, the quieter that voice gets. Or, rather, it’s easier for me to say, “Knock it off, I’m workin’ here!” I don’t doubt that I’ll be working with that desire to do things ‘right’ for the rest of my life, but I think that it’s getting a little easier every day.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Not ‘almost’–I have given up before. Many times, and in many ways.

I think ‘giving up’ needs a new PR team. It’s not bad to give up. I think we’d all be a lot better off if we let ourselves ‘give up’ sometimes. It offers perspective. I’ve given up art before, but I’ve always found a way to come back. There have been other things I’ve given up and didn’t come back to, but that has served me, too. If it’s meant to be, you’ll go back. Just give yourself the time and space to make that decision.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no.

I believe in a healthy separation of the ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ self. In public, I can be a little more reserved than I am in private, but I try to be as authentic as possible in both spaces.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Most things, I imagine. As an artist, my path is not clearly defined. The work I’m making today could open doors for me next week, or it could happen twenty years down the line. It’s scary, but also exciting. I hope than in 7-10 years, I’ll be looking at this period in my life fondly, proud of the foundations I’ve laid for my future career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mollygoehringburke.square.site/
• Instagram: @mollpaints