When you think of financial services professionals, ‘creativity’ might not be the first word that springs to mind. Your first thoughts are probably ‘intelligent’, ‘trustworthy’, or ‘mathematical’. But in fact, financial planning in particular requires a high level of creativity.

Any task that requires problem solving requires creativity – that’s just a fact. So, it follows that our team would have creative hobbies outside of work.

This month, we’ve spoken to our Head of Paraplanning, Carmen Bacaoanu, about her love for painting.

When did you start painting and what prompted it?

I started painting 12 years ago. It was a mural of poppies on one of the kitchen walls in the property I was renting at the time. I remember that the kitchen was very dated and wanted to bring some life into it.
My landlord loved it and a few years later when I decided to move out, I asked him if I should paint over it. To my surprise he said no and that it was an improvement if anything. Sometimes I wonder if it’s still there.

What are your favourite subjects to paint and what’s your favourite paint medium to use?

I paint mostly portraits. My close friends love my particular style. They say it’s bold, colourful and intriguing. I paint with all kinds of mediums but I prefer using acrylics and oils on my paintings.

Do you find any other benefits to painting?

The painting process can be very therapeutic but also very daunting. It can be a very overwhelming and frustrating experience but when I get to the desired outcome, I feel very accomplished. Once the painting is finished, I place it somewhere where I can see it every day. My paintings bring me joy.

How does your creative hobby complement your role as Paraplanner at Wealth Matters?

There is beauty in art and there is beauty in helping people manifest their retirement wishes into reality. What I do at Wealth Matters is also art. The art of helping people achieve their financial independence. We are all artists at Wealth Matters. Awarded artists! I plan to offer some of my paintings to clients of Wealth Matters in exchange for charity donations.

I think perhaps because Paraplanners tend to be very analytical people, there’s a general assumption that we may not be creative. I may be biased, but I think that Paraplanners are very creative, intuitive, and original in their ideas. If that’s not a definition of an artist I don’t know what is.

Do you have any tips for aspiring painters?

Trust your instincts, trust the process and never give up! You don’t need to go to a fancy art school. You don’t even need to take a course. Just follow your heart.

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Carmen will be selling some of her works later this year to raise donations for our nominated charities. Keep your eyes peeled for any announcements in this newsletter.