I told you that I was accepted into the Olive Hyde Textile Exhibit in the Bay Area. That's good news. You can see the piece in an earlier post. It is called "She Spilled Her Guts".
I also told you that I was accepted into the California Fiber Arts group. That is a very nice place to be.
Then I applied to a third group (which I will not name) and was not accepted which was what I thought might happen but also thought that perhaps there was a chance that I might get in so what the heck. Nope.
Here is a picture of our son kicking a soccer ball while at a family reunion in Oregon. A major portion of my husband's family plays soccer so there was a lot of this going on.
So here's the question- why do we feel so bad when someone or a group says "no" to us? I had two acceptances but there was a bit of a sting when the last group said, "sorry". It never is something we can just shrug off even when our brains can tell us other consoling things about how worthwhile we are and how much we have accomplished.
Here is daughter kicking the soccer ball. I never once touched that ball even when it came over in my direction. Tennis balls I will play with but not soccer balls.
To not be accepted is a human condition. It is going to happen to us all and happens to us more times than we care to admit. I was beginning to actually think that with those first two acceptances that perhaps my work was becoming too mainstream! I am so used to NOT being a part of the group.
Here is Steve kicking the soccer ball. He is really good at keeping it in the air.
I must say that it's really okay that I didn't get into the last group because I can now apply more of my efforts into the ones I AM a part of but rejection is an interesting phenomenon. It can cause you to withdraw or it can cause you to excel and more often than not, I have found that it causes me to step up my game. It can be a good thing or it can be a paralyzing thing. At the moment I have shrugged it off and am looking for the next thing to do.
Talk to me about your experiences with artistic rejection. It's a good thing! It makes us who we are.
3 comments:
Artistic rejection? Well, gee, I haven't had any experiences with that. And obviously, there is only one reason for this, which is that I haven't entered anything.
Actually, I just realized that is not true. I did enter one thing, to a contest I probably should not have entered, because my work is not at the same level of most of the people who were accepted. The piece I entered was a photomontage (I didn't know this was the term for what I did at the time) quilt I made for my father's 80th birthday. I was and am very proud of making this quilt. The idea for the format was totally original, and I have never seen one done like mine. I scanned over 350 photos and created 20 collages to represent various stages of my father's life. I should have sent an artist's statement, but didn't. It was disappointing that I wasn't even accepted into the contest. The contest, by the way, was a new publication called the $100,000 Quilting Challenge. Oh well. I think an artist's statement would have helped, for a number of reasons. My father is a larger than life person to me who accomplished alot yet faced some incredible adversities in his life. He also served in the Navy in WWII in the submariner service. One of the collages has some WWII memorabilia. Anyway, there is alot of detail of some interesting items in this quilt and it is not just pictures of family. Anyway.
Rejection hurts and I am sorry you did not get into the group. I sincerely hope you do not dwell on that but rather as you said focus your energies on the groups you DID get into, and let your artistic talents SHINE in them! The groups are lucky to have YOU as a member.
We can't be rejected if we don't put ourselves out there and apply to groups, schools or contests. It is always a risk to put ourselves out there, but I think that is a necessary aspect of becoming "real", i.e. a genuine person. There will always be people who are more talented than us, as well as those who are not as talented as us. And for those who win a prize, or a game or whatever, there are those who didn't win.
I can relate to feeling like an outsider from the group. I have felt like that for most of my life, for one reason or another. But, as Goethe said, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Our quilt guild is having a quilt show in early April, and I have to decide by tomorrow if I'm going to enter something. I have never entered a quilt into a show before. I will enter at least 2 small pieces, but am contemplating more. That means I have to get to work and finish them. For some reason I have a hard time finishing things. One of the quilts I need to finish is one I started in Myrna G's Self Expressions class. I think it will be cool but I think I am somewhat afraid to finish it because I might not do a good job on it. Silly, I know. I was reviewing a book yesterday and the author said the only way to improve is to practice, practice, practice!
Kristin in SC
Thank you for your comments, K. I hope you will submit as many pieces as you can for the upcoming show. Let me know how it goes for you.
So far I haven't' been rejected with the two I did submit but do not think I want to be rejected..lol
Rejection like you said is sad and good at the same time. Its like you said make you go forward or dwell on it and wonder what and why. If they give the reasons why it helps you go forward but if a comment was not sent along with the rejection that you have no idea why..this would really get to me and would want to know why..lol I have no desire to send any of my art or art quilts anywhere anymore..I am just happy making art right here..This makes me happy. I can share them with my friends and family on my blog. I have done a lot of different art and feel I am where I want to be "finally". I wish you luck in the future art that you go forth with ..and also Kristin.
Your shell pieces are just fantastic Marjie..I love anything to do with the ocean/sea. I am still in a lot of pain and I now know I have to be seen I am told it is either bursitis or a rotary cuff problem..just what I need..lol love and hugs, Lorraine
Post a Comment