Pat Worrell, a free-lance editor, is doing the first edit on my upcoming article for American Style magazine.
She contacted me a day or so ago with an update about her progress and words of encouragement.
Here's an expanded excerpt of my reply to her:
I started a new journal today & thought I'd begin with a list of things I'm grateful for. It seemed like a nice "high note" to open a crisp new journal.
At the top of the list, of course is the upcoming article on me for American Style magazine.
The timing couldn't be better, and the venue is top-notch. It has already been a blessing and a cause for celebration in my life, just in its making.
But as I began to write, something else occurred to me. There is another layer to this wonderful opportunity beyond how it will help me get my artwork out into the world.
As I started to add up the talented people who have contributed to this article, I was just blown away.
I've always respected and admired Hope Daniels, from the very first time I approached her by e-mail to inquire about submitting work to the publications she heads. She has always been kind and encouraging. When I finally met her in person recently, I found she is just as wonderful to talk to in person as she is to write to.
Hilary Nangle turned out to be a warm, engaging, enthusiastic woman, the perfect writer to come into my studio, my home and my life and do this article. The time spent with her opened my eyes to how the outside world might view my artistic endeavors.
Steve Dunwell was the same--excited about the project, reassuring, incredibly self-directed about how to approach the assignment. He raved about my studio. He made me see my madhouse work environment with new eyes. It's not a "mess"--it's a bubbling pot of creativity, rich in texture, color, form and detail, interesting and intricate in nature.
His assistant Dave Urbina was like part of a surgical team, always ready at the smallest word to do what needed to be done. Calm, quiet yet engaged.
Pat produced the very first article that appeared on my work in NICHE magazine back in 2001, and has become a staunch friend and ally.
Sara Jerome, Hope's assistant, has made sure every little detail has fallen into place cleanly and quickly, with seemingly little effort (though we all know how hard it is to make things look easy!)
And Alisha Vincent, who started out as my exhibit rep at my first Rosen show (Buyers Market of American Craft) and has become a dear friend and advisor, who suggested my studio and home might be a good idea for such an article. A talented artist in her own right, Alisha has always encouraged me to take that next step in getting my art out into the world.
Then there is Chris Leveranz, also at American Style, people like Glenn Johnson at Handworks Gallery in Acton, MA, my friends Teo and Tanna who offered to help me clean my studio... My family, who chipped in (with a snigget of grousing but still a whole-hearted effort) to help clean and spif the place up. These, and others, who have contributed to the project in many different ways.
The list goes on, but you get the idea. All these talented, incredible people coming together on this project, and in my life.
I had become obsessed with all the little nagging doubts about my environment and my work, and then when I realized who all these people were who were working on this project, how good they are at what they do, and how hard everyone is working to do their best work, and to help make sure everyone sees MY best work--well, it is just humbling.
Thank you all so much for your efforts, your talent, and for keeping me apprised of your progress and good wishes.
You are all, each and every one of you, a gift!
