5, 4, 3, 2,
1 - Yes, I am on the LAST day of the Miami countdown.
Upon reflection this countdown started approximately 4.5 years ago when Adrienne Outlaw first conceived the idea of the TAKE CARE exhibition. It has been a 'long and winding road', but definitely one that provided tons of learning experiences.
It is amazing how well you can get to know an artist that you have never met face-to-face! Although our work has obvious correlations, 'clicking' with personalities and life experiences is not a given. We are all so blessed to have made friends and 'comrades' along the way.
Besides the countless 'unpaid' hours artists devote to their work and exhibitions, there is an emotional expense. All we can hope for is that when the works are ultimately unveiled to the public that we reach a few people (well, to be honest, I have higher hopes for Miami as it is a 'contemporary' art fair!), people who 'get' us and our work - who might on some level appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that create the work and bring it to the public.
So, I head off to Miami with a few things in my mental pocket:
a) excitement to meet some of my 'new' artist friends
b) anticipation about watching the public viewing our exhibition
c) hope that our work will be well-received by the knowledgeable International Art Community (including collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts)
d) but, more than ANYTHING, I am looking forward to a sense of accomplishment, which is something that is beyond monetary value.
The anticipation kind of feels like waiting for a baby to be born - we are all ready - now we are just anticipating "the day"! We have high hopes for our impending creation: TAKE CARE: Biomedical Ethics in the 21st Century!