Reuniting With an Old Friend

Still, every once in a while, I get the itch. And today I gave in. Getting reacquainted was a little like running into an old friend you haven’t seen in years — and discovering that no time has passed at all. We just clicked. Yes, oils are a bit more challenging to work with (and definitely more of a pain to clean up), but they are so, so rewarding. They were my first true love affair with art, and that hasn’t changed one bit.

The Beauty of Having Multiple Mediums

These days, I’m lucky enough to have a whole arsenal of art mediums at my disposal — because let’s be real, you can never have too many art and craft supplies. Each one has its own unique properties, its own personality, its own set of effects and possibilities. What excites me most is that I’m still discovering new ways to use them. New techniques, new combinations, new surprises. I have a feeling that experimenting with mixing mediums — armed with everything I’ve learned about each one individually — could open up some really exciting creative territory. But that’s a challenge for tomorrow’s Arlene. Today was about oils.

When You’re Feeling Stuck, Sometimes You Just Need to Pivot

I’ll be honest — the last few weeks have felt a bit stagnant. I’ve been unsure which direction to take next, both in my art and in life in general. That kind of stuck feeling is frustrating, but I’ve learned it’s also part of the process. Sometimes you need to take a step back to give yourself room to pivot and find your next step forward. Other times, you just have to push through and go for it, no matter what. There’s no single right answer — but either way, staying in motion matters.