How To Handle Rejection
Navigating Rejection and Fueling Growth as a Fine Artists
The harsh reality of being an artist is that at some point, you are going to be rejected.
The world of a fine artist isn't paved with praise and acceptance. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve been rejected, but I’m pretty sure it’s in the 100s. There is something about the delicious sting of a letter in your mailbox that says “Thank you so much for applying, unfortunately we’ve picked someone else BLAH BLAH BLAH”. Rejection will get your motivation lit like a torch or snuffed out completely.
Today I’m going to teach you how to roll the dice when applying for something you really REALLY want and what to do if they say no.
Rejection is really powerful. It can become a stepping stone toward greatness if you’re willing to put in the work. The Art Work you might even say! You have the power to shape your artistic journey and if you’re clever- turn setbacks into setups for success.
Whether you're rejected from an art school, overlooked for a group show, or catch wind of naysayers being slimes about your work: these moments can cast a shadow on your artistic aspirations. But remember: every artist, from Van Gogh to Banksy, has faced rejection at one point or another. The key is in how you respond to it.
Imagine you've applied to a prestigious art school. I’ve applied to dozens of these in my years as an artist so I understand the work that goes into the applications. You spend a year or maybe longer making and putting together your portfolio. You gather character references and transcripts. And after all that… you received a rejection letter. Oof.
What do you even do in this situation? When your brain has been telling you “You’re not good enough” and then you get a letter that says the same thing?
Understanding the Nature of Rejection
First and foremost, it's essential to understand that rejection is not a reflection of your worth as an artist or a person. It's merely feedback, and often subjective at that.
Rejection, in its essence, is an integral part of any journey toward success. Its impact often hinges on our interpretation of the result. By truly understanding the nature of rejection, artists can navigate it way more effectively, ensuring it becomes a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.
Why Rejection Occurs:
Subjectivity: Art is subjective. What resonates deeply with one individual might not evoke the same response from another. Using the Art School example, they have their own very specific criteria they are looking for that your work didn’t line up with. Maybe the person reviewing your work had a directive to look for something that will never be known to you.
Mismatched Vision: Sometimes, rejection occurs not because of a lack of quality but because of differing visions. This is especially common in scenarios involving curated content, where a particular theme, style, or narrative is sought. Just because they wanted a drawing of a bike and yours wasn’t up to their standard of ‘perfect’, doesn’t mean your work is necessarily bad.
Volume and Competition: Especially in sought-after arenas, such as prestigious art schools or renowned exhibitions, the sheer volume of applicants will lead to rejections, even for highly talented artists. Ask yourself “Is my work bad, or was I up against 300 other applicants for an 8 spot program?”
Timing: Like many things in life, timing can play a pivotal role in acceptance or rejection. Perhaps a gallery is full for the season, or a school has met its quota.
You Aren’t for Everyone
It's vital to remember that rejection isn't an absolute measure of talent or worth. Even famous artists have faced rejection multiple times in their careers. What differentiates them is their understanding that rejection is a part of the journey, not the end of it.
How to Reframe Rejection:
Feedback, Not Failure: View rejection as feedback. Even if it doesn't come with detailed critique, it's an opportunity to revisit, reassess, and refine.
Opportunity in Disguise: Some artists have found that being rejected led them to explore other, often more fitting, opportunities they might have otherwise overlooked.
Building Resilience: Every rejection faced and overcome adds to your resilience. It's a testament to your dedication and passion for your art.
Separation of Self from Work: While art is deeply personal, it's crucial to separate your self-worth from your work. A rejection of a piece is not a rejection of you as an individual.
Find your Audience: Not everyone is going to like your artwork. It would be weird if they did. Your job is to find the galleries, schools, and collectors who do like your work and exclusively approach them.
Interrupt the Pattern
Suppose you submitted your work for a group show. You heard of a prompt for small work exhibition or a theme you feel really fits your style. You then spend time making work just for that show, making social media content, telling your friends about the opening, and after all that- you aren’t selected. This has happened to me twice this year. It feels bad.
It would be easy to jump to conclusions about your work's quality, but I need you to consider that your piece just might not align with the curators vision, despite your effort.
When you have this moment, you gotta think outside the box. Especially if you’ve made something for the show. (Side note, I now only make things if I’m already accepted into the show, or it’s work that’s already been made before I knew about it.) How else could you use that piece you’ve made. Could you sell it? Submit it for a different show?
In the other way of thinking, take this as an opportunity for self and outside critique.
Seek Constructive Feedback:
When you get a rejection, actively seek it the why– but from the right sources. Artistic friends, family, or mentors who understand your work can provide insights that help you grow from the rejection. If you got guts, asking the people who rejected you could be extremely valuable.
Feedback is a beacon that illuminates the way to creative growth. Constructive feedback, especially, is an artist's ally. It offers insights that are pointed, practical, and purposeful, ensuring that you're not just working hard, but also working smart.
I know that asking for more criticism when you are feeling down about your work sounds like the last thing you want to do, but it’s gold for a creative mind.
When you are rejected, you must train your mind that feeling sorry for itself is not the first order of business. This is called a pattern interrupt. By taking what used to be a bad feeling and turning it into an opportunity of win-win, you’ll look forward to the results of your application way more.
That group show accepts you? Great. You now get to learn how to have a show, exhibit your work, and maybe make a sale.
That group show rejects you? Great. You now get to take a critical look on how you can improve your applications: see if you missed anything in the process, get feedback (potentially) from the show runner, and have a little boost in motivation to look at other places that will accept your art work.
The Why:
Fresh Perspective: When you're engrossed in your work, it's easy to become tunnel-visioned. An external perspective can point out nuances you might have missed or aspects you might not have considered.
Skill Enhancement: Constructive feedback highlights areas of improvement. Whether it's technique, perspective, use of color, or medium choice; knowing where to focus your energy makes for more effective learning.
Reaffirmation: While feedback highlights areas of growth, it also emphasizes what you're doing right. This validation can serve as motivation, reaffirming your strengths and boosting confidence.
How to Seek Constructive Feedback:
Not all feedback is helpful feedback. You must protect your artwork from poor opinions. Before you go diving into asking people for their opinion, consider the following:
Choose the Right Audience: Artists you admire, mentors from your past, teachers in your artistic field, and friends who are knowledgeable about your work are great options. Family members who think everything you make is great, your lover who isn’t in the creative field, and the general internet public is a bad option. In a moment of vulnerability like this, you need trusted voices.
Be Specific in Your Ask: Instead of a general "What do you think?", frame your questions more pointedly. Ask things like "Do the colors in this section work well together?", “The theme for this group show was ___, how do you think I could have better achieved this?” or "Is the composition balanced?", etc.
Stay Open-Minded: Receiving feedback can be daunting. Remember, the aim is growth. Approach feedback with an open mind, discerning which parts to act upon and which to take with a grain of salt. If your artist friends says “Your values are off and could be better by doing this” you aren’t allowed to be mad that they found a fault. Because you asked them to.
Feedback as a Two-Way Street:
Offering feedback to others can be just as enlightening as receiving it. By critiquing someone else's work, you train your eye to pick up on intricacies and develop a deeper understanding of art techniques and concepts.
By actively seeking and valuing constructive feedback, you engage in an ongoing dialogue about your art. It's a journey of discovery, refinement, and artistic growth. What more could you ask for?
Transform Rejection into Motivation
Ok so you’ve asked friends for critiques and potentially found the holes in your work. We are now going to use rejection as a springboard for motivation. Our goal: let rejection become the push you need to dive deeper into your craft, refine your skills, or even venture into new creative territories.
Rejection, with its sting and disappointment, can act as a catalyst. The initial feelings of hurt or self-doubt can be channeled and repurposed into a fiery motivation. It’s all about harnessing that emotional energy and directing it towards something productive. Asking for critiques is just the start.
Let’s talk about Spite:
While the word "spite" often carries negative connotations, it can be an effective motivator. Spite, in the context of artistic rejection, can be thought of as a desire to prove oneself – a determination to show detractors, and sometimes oneself, that one’s potential and talent are undeniable.
What I’m saying is, have some fucking audacity. 😤
Prove Them Wrong: If someone says you can't do something or aren't good enough, YES YOU CAN.
Once a teacher told me that my skills were lackluster and that I should be ashamed of my artistic education. (yikes) I then spent the next year aggressively learning and honing my skills. The next time that teacher saw my work they were impressed by my improvement.
Building a Narrative: Setbacks can lead to comebacks. The stories of many renowned artists are rife with rejection. These stories become a testament to their perseverance, and the spite-fueled motivation is a part of their narrative. Is there a better story than the underdog?
Avoid Bitterness: It’s crucial not to let spite evolve into bitterness. Bitterness can cloud judgment and stifle creativity. It's about using the initial feelings of spite as a spark, not letting it consume the entire creative process.
Embrace Growth: We aren’t solely focused on proving others wrong, but also on proving yourself right. Celebrate your growth, milestones, and improvements as an artist.
Take Action: Create a new piece, take a course to hone a particular skill, or collaborate with others to gain new perspectives.
Remember Why You Started
In moments of doubt, it’s important to return to the root of your passion. Why did you choose this path of the artist? What emotions or messages do you wish to convey with your work? Reconnecting with your 'why' can reignite your motivation and resilience.
The Role of Perspective:
Not to sound too cheesy, but art is a journey, not a destination. A single rejection, or even multiple ones, are just small stops in a longer, enriching journey.
Over the course of my life as an artist, it’s my hope that I’m rejected a thousand times more. You might be thinking, “Stevie that’s so many times why would you want that?” It’s because if I’m being rejected that many times, it means I’m trying that many times. For every 100 No’s, I’m going to get 8 Yes’s.
If you give up after being rejected, you are also giving up on all future yes’s.
I want to do big brilliant things with my art work in my life time: that means jumping off the cliff of possibility. It means “I’m ready for people to not like my work and I’m ready to try.”
An Exercise On Rejection Exposure:
Let’s gamify rejection! I want you to set a little goal for yourself. Ask out loud “How many rejections should I try to get this year?” Then start naming numbers till it feels right. Maybe that’s 100. Maybe it’s 10. Maybe it’s 1. This is now your Rejection Number.
Then you are going to make a big fun list of all the things that would be cool to do with your artwork. Number it 1- Your Rejection Number. Be audacious.
Twice a week for 30 min (put this in your calendar) I want you to seek out and find things to apply to until you reach your Rejection Number. Then start applying to them.
As replies start rolling in, check them off your Rejection List till you get to your goal. :D
You are going to get many No’s. You are also going to get some Yes’s. I hope they excite you and push your work to new heights!
Host and artist Stephanie Scott breaks down the practicality of the art career with topics including: sustainable creative practices, social media skills, and the mindsets that keep it all together. New episodes every Tuesday!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniescott.art/
Website: http://www.stephaniescott.art/brushwork
Music by @winepot https://www.instagram.com/thewinepot/
Podcast Cover photo by Maryna Blumqvist https://instagram.com/picturemaryna