It was the day before a big event that I was running and I sent the first call straight to voicemail. The call was from Margery Goldberg, owner of the Zenith Art Gallery in Washington, D.C. The Zenith is the oldest, most established gallery in the District and I had been proudly exhibiting my work there for the previous three years. Usually I would jump to answer a call from Margery, but this day I didn't want to lose focus. I figured I'd just call her back after the weekend was over. But one stands the test of time by being persistent so Margery called back a few more times and then I received a Harry Potter "howler" style email where she didn't just ask for me to contact her but demanded it. So I returned her call, and when I did she gave me almost unbelievable news.
Of course before she would tell me anything she yelled at me for sending her to voicemail. Well - and also for having a full voicemail account. Once that was out of the way she delivered her news. And I couldn't even believe what I was hearing. Somehow, without even realizing it was happening - I advanced as a semi-finalist in a huge public art installation in Washington, D.C. After a nationwide call to artists and many applicants, it was down to myself and three other artists. The Zenith Gallery had submitted me, providing me with an awesome opportunity. I had a moment of over the moon excitement, and then Margery began firing off what was expected of me to get the job; design, proposal, references and a sample board. With a little over a month to complete everything not to mention staying on top of my current responsibilities I had a bit of a nervous break down. Was it possible? Could I do it all?
"You may not get it. Probably won't."said a less than enthusiastic friend. While a few around me had similarly less than inspiring sentiments to offer I had the total support of my husband and kiddos and truly through the weeks that followed it was their belief in me that carried me through. My schedule seemed to have no available times to get everything done, so I began waking up at 4:30 in the morning to create work time. Many mornings the alarm would go off and my sweet husband would have to talk me into getting out of bed. He would often start the coffee for me. Sometimes I was less than appreciative of him, but I always got out of bed. And so I began to gather information and put together my design. I reached out to past clients and organizations as well as parents and children I had interacted with over the previous decade. The love and support I received from these individuals and organizations helped to fuel my early morning work sessions. And when it was time to create my sample board I contacted two of the most creative people I'd ever worked with. It just so happened that Nathan Mullen and Ellie Kilmon were high school students - while some questioned working with teenagers on something so important, I knew there were no better peeps for the task. The rest of my team was made up of Madeline Moffett and Matty Tall on the sketch, with David Grafton contributing. There were moments full of doubt and exhaustion - but every time I was ready to quit, I found another burst of energy and moved further ahead.
The excitement of this prospective project eclipsed any other ambitions I had been considering. And it was an awesome moment when I realized that even if I didn't get the project the possibility of it had become a catalyst to answering my previously asked questions. Yes, this life full of potential is what I want. After more than a decade of this life, I keep learning that I can really do anything I set my mind to. Undoing the self doubt I have been taught is an ongoing project - but with each passing year I can say I'm living life to my fullest potential. The importance of the company that I choose to keep was once again a lesson to learn. Theres just no room for the negative people. I find that they only stick around as long as you are doing work for them, and usually sort themselves out in the long run.
When I recieved the news that the project was mine I was overwhelmed with gratitiude. And while the project itself posed new challenges that were both exciting and frustrating, there was never a prouder professional moment than when I stood back. Now I prepare to begin a new project I have been selected for. And I've got the best people around me, my friends and family, so I don't worry too much about the challenges that lay ahead.
