Me? Live on WBTN Radio

I just got off the phone with Thomas Toscano from WBTN radio.

He  had a cancellation on his Sunday Morning Art Magazine Show and asked me if I would take the spot.  So there I was at 9:03 this morning sitting on the couch talking to Thomas, live on the radio, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

The last time I was on a radio show was in the early 80’s when I was volunteering for NYPIRG and read a written statement on the student radio program.  I just remember being really nervous.

Maybe it’s because I’ve seen Jon sit in the living room so many times giving interviews over the phone, or maybe it’s because I just really like talking about my work and myself (can it be?!) that once Thomas asked me the first question I was off and running.

I also know from listening to many radio interviews that Thomas is good at what he does. Asking interesting questions and having a real conversation instead of just waiting for answers and moving onto the next question.

The first thing he asked me was how my childhood influenced where I am in my life now as an artist.  I never expected that, but also found I had no trouble answering it.

I was a little nervous  leading up to the interview.  I didn’t even write about it on my blog which is unusual for me. I was having some self-doubts about it. What if I really screwed it up?  Said “um” to many times, couldn’t think of anything to say? Stumbled when telling a story as I often do? The fewer people listening the better.  And even worse, what if I did write  about it on my blog  and still no one listened.

I had fallen into an old dark place about it.   So I did what I used to do when I was in that place…nothing.

But then I did know Jon plugged it on his blog.  I was grateful he did,  I just couldn’t do it for myself.

And now here I am writing about, like I’ve just discovered something new about myself.  Something new that I can do.  I liked it.  A lot.  It was actually fun.

I learned  from it too  and got some insights into another creative person’s life and choices that made sense to me in my own life.

I may be able to get a link to an archive of the conversation.  If I can I’ll post it on my blog.  Or, if it happens again, next time I’ll be sure to let you all know.