Comments on: Rejection Rituals

By: Rani Garner

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:04:10 +0000

Hmmm, I haven’t read anyone’s ritual yet. Some rejections are more painful than others. I just had a gallery I’d been in about eight months break up with me due to only selling one large painting (which I thought was okay). My ritual involves making myself feel better, and this ALWAYS works: 1. put on red lipstick (guys, skip this step, please); 2. drive somewhere that takes about 45 minutes and sing loudly along with the music the whole way there and again the whole way home. I felt great again, except for the sore throat!

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By: Bev Bunker

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:18:16 +0000

After reading all these posts, I realized something quite interesting; I had experienced many of the same responses that others had. Over many years of painting, I now look at the bigger picture; jurors are not invested in me or my work. Putting together a show is quite often a part of the ‘business side’ of creating a show. A show is usually meant to sell paintings unless it it is just ‘to show’ paintings. I haven’t found this to be the norm, however. The show must tie together through styles, themes, etc., and if one’s work doesn’t fall within those parameters, it doesn’t fit! That is generally the bottom line – fit. I have never been told that I don’t paint well…that hasn’t been the problem; if it wasn’t selected for THAT particular show, it didn’t fit the vision the gallery or jurors had. In other words, it is simply not personal. In the past and in my beginning years as an artist I admit that I did take rejections personally at first. I still take part in submitting my work from time to time, but I now see it as part of the business side of setting up shows. And I would add, there seems to be plenty of opportunities to show through a lot of different ways and in places. To me, it makes more sense to keep moving forward. I am going to paint anyhow!

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By: Chris Maynard

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:30:12 +0000

It can help to find out why my work is rejected if it can lead me to improvements in my work or how I present it. Last fall I learned I was rejected for a national museum tour because my work appeared too delicate for a lot of handling. So next time I will include information about the sturdiness of the work.

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By: Carol McIntyre

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:33:53 +0000

Several years ago a very wise composer told me to think less about my work when viewers looked at it and think more about the place/experience from which the viewer comes from. They approach art from THEIR experience, not the originator.
This idea helps to flip the coin about the subject of rejection.

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By: Randine Dodson

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:14:18 +0000

A few years ago i gave myself a birthday present by engaging an art consultant/rep to my place to see my work. She was not impressed. She told me my work wasn’t the kind she would have a place for. As she left my apartment, i managed to close the door, fall to the floor and crawl to the bathroom where i was sick. This event told me a couple of things. A) I was a lot more connected and invested in my work than i knew and B) just because SHE didn’t respond to my work didn’t mean it wasn’t good – she just wasn’t the right fit for me. I think of that every time i get rejected now.

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By: Ann Hart Marquis

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:46:25 +0000

First I try to figure out why I was rejected. Did my work not fit into what they were looking for? Then, if I am still interested in the organization I know that I will try again next year.

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By: Anwar

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:15:40 +0000

In reply to mitchell freifeld.

I did research the jury and found that they were 3 famous clowns. One makes these little forts out of home depot lumber which he returns after the show in unused condition. To add a little class he has insense, grafitti made by local highschool talent and electonica music piped in…uh. The other is known for her duct tape paintings…..err. Finally the other is a photographer known for taking pictures of people as they walk away confused…. These a real examples of “high” profile jurors for a major show in Chicago…. I turn my back on them and realize that the jury is so completely rigged. One has to make all thier own breaks period.

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By: Tina Mammoser

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 11:15:19 +0000

To be honest most juried shows take a really long time to get back to you nowadays. For me by the time I get a rejection letter a couple months later I’m usually thrilled that I can take the painting off the my “reserved” list and get it out somewhere. 🙂 More stock, yay!

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By: Jennifer Rapp Peterson

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:23:27 +0000

Rejection doesn’t sting the way it used to. If someone thinks my work isn’t right for them, it’s probably not right for them. I try to respect that.
I will never know the factors behind someone else’s decision making process. It is totally out of my control. What’s in my control is how I spend my time after receiving disappointing news. The faster I can say, “NEXT!” the better off I am. And, if I am already onto the “next” before receiving word, I am well immunized.
Great comments.

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By: mitchell freifeld

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:05:14 +0000

ignore it

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