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Michelle Elisabeth Varghese's avatar

Oh my gosh, I felt as though I was becoming closer to the group as you were throughout this piece. I absolutely loved that you included the drawings and photos! I can feel the intimacy growing, the picture of you laughing really bringing that home. Also this, "We were afraid to call ourselves artists. Apprehensive of the heaviness of that word–all of its expectations and requisite proofs; our perceptions that in our current states, we couldn’t live up to the label." I have felt this so many times on my writing journey. So well articulated and another great piece!

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Dekera Greene Rodriguez's avatar

Thanks Michelle! I appreciate it. Same on the writing journey for me. I guess iterations are the only way we can get closer to where we want to be. For me they're fueled by being in writing and in art communities.

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Adam Ming's avatar

It was really a pleasure to see your drawing and your process its been two decades since I've drawn a live model, or stood next to a masterpiece (too long on both count) , but you helped me remember overwhelming feelings of beginning, and being connected to a larger tradition/legacy of being art making creatures

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Dekera Greene Rodriguez's avatar

Thank you, Adam ❤️🙏🏾

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Catalina Muñoz's avatar

"We revealed ourselves rapidly in good company." I love this.

Amazing essay Dekera! I enjoyed the descriptions so much, you definitely transported me into the room.

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Dekera Greene Rodriguez's avatar

Thank you, Catalina! I appreciate it.

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