Anticipation, Anticipa-a-tion

I'm pretty sure he was referring to his love life and not the details of an art career when he sang "the waiting is the hardest part," but Tom Petty certainly was voicing how I'm feeling these days.

Maybe because it's spring, with all that energy and anticipation in the air. But I feel like I've been doing nothing but wait, wait, wait, all winter long and right into the warm weather! I have the possibility of sales to 2 major collections, but I've been waiting to hear about their decisions for many months. And I have a possible sale and a possible reproduction arrangement pending with 2 art consultants, which I've been waiting to hear about for a month.

I know, calm down, calm down. Patience is a virtue. Waiting is part of being an artist. I keep telling myself that. I've tried to distract and redirect my attention and efforts by focusing on making a series of new paintings I'm excited about (latest one, see above). I have even entered 2 juried shows, even though I had vowed to stop doing that (hangs head in embarrassment).

And I'm preparing to send out a series of applications, 1 for an artist-in-residence program, 1 for a publication opportunity, and 3 separate grants, with 2 more possible grants to investigate.

Still, I feel like, come ON! Let's get this show on the road!! Waiting is indeed the hardest part, as Tom says ...