Last week I went to REP Studio in Ithaca to record a radio interview with Tish Pearlman for her Out of Bounds show. It’s a show that airs on several public radio stations around the country and features the affable and inquisitive Pearlman sitting down with people from a wide range of backgrounds with a purpose “to forge understanding among people of diverse backgrounds through thoughtful, in-depth conversations that educate and enlighten.” Pearlman has been doing this show since 2005 and has featured interviews with many national and regional figures, all of which can be found archived on the show’s website. It’s a pretty impressive list that has many names that will be familiar to many of you. So I was surprised, and honored, when she invited me to sit in for an interview.
Our half hour passed in the blink of an eye with Tish asking questions about my work and technique, as well as inquiring as to how I came to painting which is a story familiar to those of you who read this blog regularly or have came to one of my gallery talks. Beyond that, my memory of what I said is a blur. I can only hope that I was somewhat coherent and didn’t make a fool of myself.
When the session ended, Tish clapped her hands and said that it had went really well and asked how I felt about it. I said I was pleased but knew that, based on past experiences, that I would be beating myself up in the car on the way home, second-guessing what I had said and what I hadn’t said. Every time I do an opening or a talk, I inevitably go through this process of regretful recollection , wishing I had made a point or agonizing over something that just didn’t come out right or over not being able to speak with someone who was in attendance. Or that I just came off as some sort of jerk or pompous twit.
She said that I surely wouldn’t do that over this interview and I laughed and said that I knew that I would. And, of course, I did.
But my recollection of the interview is a very pleasant one. Tish has an easy, friendly manner that puts you at ease and you begin to forget that you are in a small room with a microphone in front of you instead of a comfortable living room having a pleasant conversation. Of course, it’s a one-sided conversation. I actually wish I had been able to ask her about some of her interviews and some of the people behind them. I bet she has some great insights.
The show will air on the following channels:
Redtree Times 