Over the past few years I have had the joy and pleasure of working with Diane Carroll. She has not only been an advocate for my work and a great friend, but also a teacher. I’ve loved having her in my Design Camps to share her editorial eye and knowledge. As she leaves her role as editor in chief of At Home in Arkansas magazine and transitions to a new position with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, I am thrilled to have her here to share a bit of advice. Enjoy! xo, Tobi

As a young journalism school grad,  I landed a job in San Francisco, where I had a wonderful mentor who I admired for his well-balanced attitude–he had lived in a variety of places, worked at a variety of jobs, but no matter where he was or what he did, he thoroughly enjoyed himself.  He was nearing retirement, and to me, he embodied a life well-lived.

When I was contemplating a job change and was nervous about the decision, his advice was to pursue whatever I was passionate about–stick with it,  stay flexible and embrace new ideas and challenges. (He also said that was the secret to staying young, and I believe him!).

What was I passionate about careerwise? Journalism, but more specifically, art, architecture and design. And being adaptable has allowed me to pursue that passion through moves from different regions of the country and a variety of types of jobs….

from working as a regional editor for a wide range of design magazines

to becoming editor in chief of this magazine

to recently transitioning into managing media relations for this new, wonderful resource in our state, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art,

 [Photography by Timothy Hursley, courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art]

  [Photography by Timothy Hursley, courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art]

where art and architecture are now a daily part of my life.

[Norman Rockwell, "Rosie the Riveter," 1943; Oil on canvas; 52 x 40 in. (132.1 x 101.6 cm); Courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art]

Through the years, I’ve taken my mentor’s words to heart: be passionate, stick with it, stay flexible, embrace change and challenges. That philosophy has surely been pertinent to designers and the design community during the past decade in navigating new business models and staying fresh. Embrace it all and enjoy a life well-lived!

-Diane