"if I ever wanted to see these people while they were alive, I needed to finally do it."
i feel that way about a lot of artists & illustrators. was never one for conventions, etc so never got to meet Frazetta, Wrightson, Williamsom, Redondo, etc and not many of my faves are still alive - Starlin, Byrne and a few others.
Am connected to some on FB but Kaluta & Windsor-Smith are quite old and not great health, Vallejo is very frail.
Vess is about the only one who's still very active and going to conventions & exhibits regularly.
Craig Russell is also doing lots of new stuff but i don't think he goes to many shows.