Rediscovering Color: A Journey Back to Oil Pastels

Embracing Artistic Rebirth

Nearly 30 years ago, I picked up a set of oil pastels—used them for a couple of years—and tucked them away in a metal box. Decades later, I’ve reopened that box. The tools are the same, though incomplete, but I return to them with more experience, more knowledge, and a renewed sense of wonder. What I’ve preserved through the years is the joy, the spontaneity, and the ability to be surprised by the creative process.

The Joy of Process

I love the tactile nature of oil pastels—the layering, the blending, the evolution of color. There’s something deeply satisfying about using your own fingers to smear and fuse pigment on paper. While it may seem like I pick colors randomly, in truth there’s a deliberate attempt to let go and discover something new in the process. It’s an escape, but one that holds me in the moment—wax, paper, and emotion combined.

Drawing With My Daughter

Since the birth of my daughter, Nur, I’ve returned to crayons and simple drawings. Through her eyes, I’ve reconnected with my inner child and rediscovered the freedom of imagination. Drawing has become a shared experience, an emotional bridge between generations, and a celebration of pure creativity.

A Life Made of Moments

We are all made of pieces—each with its own history, each forged by emotion, memory, and time. We gather our fragments, temper them like steel, and carry them forward. Art, like life, isn’t just about what we’ve planned. It’s about what we discover in the lines we draw, the colors we choose, and the freedom we allow ourselves to feel.