You'll become more and more resilient every time you take a risk that doesn’t work out as you had intended. You’ll bounce back. And you’ll be stronger for it in the long run. Promise. Listen to how this plays out for Christine Aaron.
The post Risk, rejection, and resilience with Christine Aaron (114) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>(New share of an episode from 2022 that is very much related what we’re doing in Essentials this season.)
We like a sure thing. The desire to eliminate risk has birthed many a promise in marketing messages. Because we keep looking for magic bullets. We continue to hope that the 1 thing that will solve all of our problems about [fill in the blank] is out there.
Still, uncertainty persists, and it’s a thorn in our side. Because, again, we would much prefer a sure thing.
I want to make what I know will sell, I’ve heard from risk-intolerant artists throughout the years.
Making art for the marketplace turns my stomach. It’s the antithesis of what art, at its core is about. This is one of the few times when I’ll should on you: You should only make art that comes from your soul. Art that must be birthed. Anything less is less than art.
Great Art Requires Risk
What is art—great art—if not a risk at the time it was made?
History books are sorely lacking in stories of people who played it safe. What boring stories those are! History is made by people who took big risks.
In order to embrace risk, we have to practice. We step into it, try it on, and, almost always, discover that it isn’t as bad as the soundtrack we were playing in our heads.
Here’s another one I hear: I want to make sure it’s the right thing to do.
Think about those words the next time you hear them come out of your mouth. When, in the history of the Universe, has anyone ever been 100% sure that their next move was the right move for their long-term happiness and success?
You want a sure thing? Go back to engineering school. There’s plenty of work for you in that field.
Mistakes and Failures Are Part of the Bargain
Yes, you’re going to make mistakes. You will absolutely make the “wrong” decisions from time to time. And you’re going to be rejected from shows and opportunities. Count on them. Prepare for them. You’ll survive.
You may be a bit black and blue. But you’ll use courage muscles you never had before.
You’ll become more and more resilient every time you take a risk that doesn’t work out as you had intended. You’ll bounce back. And you’ll be stronger for it in the long run. Promise.
My guest to discuss these things on The Art Biz is Christine Aaron.
You’ll hear how she embraces risk and has come to understand the role of rejection in her art career. She also shares the tools she relies on to get back in the studio and do it all over again. Resilience.
Highlights
- The unusual motivation behind Christine’s first watercolor class selection. (2:08)
- Taking risks and challenging yourself in a rewarding art career. (5:31)
- Refining your art by sharing it with and soliciting critique from others. (12:45)
- Identifying your safe zone and moving beyond it. (21:45)
- Taking on the work that pushes you out of your comfort zone. (25:12)
- Name the risks to work your way through the potential rejection. (32:57)
- What rejection really means about the work that you’re doing. (39:46)
- Honing your resilience skills amid rejection. (40:35)
- Stop comparing yourself to other artists and remember how far you’ve come. (45:45)
- Reflecting on your work, your processes, and your improvement. (47:06)
- The risks that Christine is going to take in 2022. (48:00)
Mentioned
- Weaving as Metaphor by Sheila Hicks
- Artist B. Avery Syrig
- Patricia Miranda : CritLab
Christine Aaron Quotes
- “There’s not one of us that hasn’t experienced disappointment and loss in life.”
- “I make work ultimately because I want it to resonate with someone else. And the only way to do that is to get it out there.”
- “Think beyond what you can imagine now and know that you’ll have the ability to get the resources you need to do it.”
- “Every artist I know gets way, way more rejections than they get acceptances. But nobody is talking about that.”
Related Episodes
Listen to other artists talk about risk, rejection, and failure.
About My Guest
Christine Aaron is a conceptual and material focused artist. Her work is exhibited nationally and internationally. Aaron received an artist’s grant from ArtsWestchester—New York State Council on The Arts, a Surface Design Association grant, and a residency and grant from Vermont Studio Center. She presents talks at The International Encaustic Conference in Provincetown, MA, received awards in printmaking and mixed media, and had a solo exhibit of The Memory Project at California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks.
Aaron holds a BS in education from Cornell University and a Masters in Social Work from Hunter College. She lives and maintains a studio in New Rochelle, NY.
Follow Christine on Instagram: @christineaaronart
The post Risk, rejection, and resilience with Christine Aaron (114) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Now balancing a career as an OBGYN with her thriving art practice, Debbie attributes her success to bravery, persistence, and the support of her community. Her story is a reminder that courage and a little luck can open extraordinary opportunities.
The post Bravery, Luck, and Persistence with Debbie Mueller (212) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Bravery is required at many points in an artist’s career.
For Debbie Mueller, bravery meant starting to paint later in life, balancing her passion for art with a demanding career as an OBGYN, and continually putting herself out there—whether in the studio, in the art community, or in the face of rejection.
Debbie’s journey into painting began unexpectedly during a rainy day visit to her parents’ home. With no prior art experience, she picked up a paintbrush on a whim, only to discover a new passion that felt as essential as breathing.
Since that moment, Debbie has immersed herself in her new artist-life, growing her skills, building connections, and developing a thriving artistic practice—all while working nearly full-time in medicine.
In this episode of The Art Biz, Debbie shares how she’s cultivated resilience and bravery as an artist, from finding her community to embracing opportunities that might initially feel intimidating. She also discusses how she’s navigated challenges like rejection and the balancing act of art and life.
Debbie credits her successes not just to hard work and persistence but to a little bit of luck—though her version of luck is decidedly hard-earned.
Whether you’re just starting out as an artist or looking for inspiration to take your next bold step, Debbie’s story is a reminder that bravery, persistence, and the willingness to embrace new opportunities can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Listen
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Debbie Mueller Quotes
- “Painting is like breathing. If I don’t do it for a day or two, I’m not healthy.”
- “The worst thing that can happen when I step in front of my easel is that I make a bad painting. [It’s not life or death.] And that puts everything in perspective.”
- “In your everyday life, you don’t always meet someone who wants to sit and talk about painting for two hours. But that’s what happens when you’re [with other artists in real life].”
- “Rejection is part of this world. It’s like reject, reject, reject, acceptance…. I’m going to keep going because I’m sure there’s another [acceptance] out there somewhere.”
- “I have a pity party. I’ll feel really bummed about something that I really wanted to get into for maybe a day, and then it’s back to work.”
- “One of the things that sets [successful artists] apart is that they prop other people up, too. They are often mentioning other artists that have inspired them, or have done something kind for them… And that’s important to me.”
Watch
-Debbie Mueller
Related Episodes
Other episodes about writers and artists who have dealt with rejection.
About My Guest
After living her life believing she was someone without any artistic ability, Debbie Mueller discovered painting in 2016 and was quickly consumed by this passion. Her light-filled work received almost immediate recognition, winning Artist Magazine’s annual competition for artists with less than 6 years of study for her landscape painting in 2018.
Debbie has exhibited in numerous national juried exhibitions, and has been recognized with significant awards in local, national, and international shows and competitions. She is a member of Oil Painters of America, American Women Artists, American Impressionist Society, The Rockport Art Association, and NOAPS.
Debbie delights in the dance between light and shadow in her illuminated, painterly and contemporary landscape and still life paintings. She incorporates familiar places and objects with bold composition to create memorable works.
Debbie practices medicine in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and lives and paints in Durham, New Hampshire.
Follow Debbie on Instagram: @thelatebloomerartist
Don’t miss new articles, podcasts, programs, and some of my favorite discoveries.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter.
The post Bravery, Luck, and Persistence with Debbie Mueller (212) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>By embracing rejection, artists can push their boundaries, take more risks, and ultimately protect and elevate their reputations.
The post Dealing with rejection with Megan Wimberley (197) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>In order for the art ecosystem to work, many rejections must be handed out. You have, no doubt, discovered this and been the recipient of one or two.
This means to have a successful art business and career, you must learn to deal with rejection.
More to the point, in order to be successful in life, you have to learn to deal with rejection, regardless of your vocation.
The good news about rejection is that you are not alone. Every artist who wants to attain a higher level of accomplishment must deal with rejection. If you aren’t counting your rejections, you aren’t taking risks or stretching your goals.
The bad news is … well … You’ve been rejected. And that feels awful. But you can’t let it stop you.
Help is here!
My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is Megan Wimberley, who wants to help you move past rejection. As both an artist and a founder of the Cowgirl Artists of America organization, she has experienced both sides of the process.
We discuss Megan’s framework for dealing with rejection, including the importance of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and learning from the rejection—all in the service of elevating your professionalism and protecting your reputation.
Listen
Scroll down to watch the video interview.
[ Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron ]
[ What Your Failures are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney ]
Highlights with Audio Timestamps
01:48 The birth of Cowgirl Artists of America (CGA)
03:01 Balancing her art and organization admin
03:29 Exhibition programs and the jury process
06:42 We all experience rejection
08:57 Emotional intelligence and mindfulness
14:47 Every juror has a perspective and they will vary wildly from one another
16:24 Common mistakes in art applications
20:27 Space considerations are one reason you might be rejected
22:23 Handling rejection with professionalism
25:16 More about emotional intelligence and mindfulness
26:44 What are your rejections trying to tell you?
29:24 Rethinking that disgruntled email you may want to send
31:54 The importance of professional communication
36:53 Therapy and support systems for artists
38:44 Upcoming CGA exhibition and events
Improve Your Presentation
Spend time learning about how to get better rather than dwelling on rejection.
Start with my comprehensive art-marketing program for building a lasting foundation for a successful art business … Essentials for Artist Success.
Then gain some insight by listening to these professionals discuss on The Art Biz what they look for in artists.
COLLIN PARSON
nonprofit gallery curator
MELISSA MESSINA
independent curator
JEREMY TESSMER
commercial gallerist
Quotes
“We should all be in therapy.” —Megan Wimberley
“Sometimes when I’m dealing with something challenging and feeling big emotions, I imagine that I’m holding this little emotion in my hand and I say, ‘What are you trying to tell me? Because our emotions are trying to tell us something.’ ” —Megan Wimberley
“Because when we name the emotion, it’s this weird little thing in our brain. It takes a little bit of that sting and that power away.” —Megan Wimberley
“What you are communicating when you submit a poor application is I am not trustworthy.” —Megan Wimberley
“Tearing other people down is never going to lift you up.” —Alyson Stanfield
Related Episodes
These episodes center around mindset.
About My Guest
From the moment Megan Wimberley could cling to a saddle horn, legs barely long enough to sit a horse, she was in love. Her fascination with the wild and domestic animals of the American West has dominated much of her life. She explores our connection with these animals, drawing on her experiences with horses, dogs, and cattle.
As founder of Cowgirl Artists of America, she champions female artists in the Western genre. Despite battling Rheumatoid Arthritis, Wimberley continues to create and inspire. Her work has been featured in Mountain Oyster Show and Cowgirl Up! among others.
Follow Megan on Instagram: @megan.wimberley
Follow CGA on Instagram: @cowgirlartistsofamerica
The post Dealing with rejection with Megan Wimberley (197) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Laura talks about a few failures she has learned from, why it's helpful to have a little bit of time and space before examining failures, and the shame that gets in the way of sharing failure with others. We also discuss the inevitable comparisons with other artists that arise when you fail and see only their successes.
The post What your failures are teaching you with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (95) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Failure. We fear it. We ask, What if I fail?, as if failure at one thing would mean the end of all other opportunities.
But failure is necessary for growth. If you are succeeding at everything, there is no way you’re learning and growing. You’re not taking enough risks.
Laura Petrovich-Cheney is not afraid to fail. She’s also ambitious and knows what she wants.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, you’ll hear Laura’s philosophy that failure is the result of not listening to your instincts and not doing your best. This builds on what Leah Smithson was talking about in episode 94 when she said how important it was to listen to her gut to avoid what she called disasters.
We tend to sweep failures under the rug—hoping that nobody will see or notice and that we’ll forget about them. But, as you’ll hear from Laura, we can’t improve without examining what went wrong.
Laura talks about a few failures she has learned from, why it’s helpful to have a little bit of time and space before examining failures, and the shame that gets in the way of sharing failure with others. We also discuss the inevitable comparisons with other artists that arise when you fail and see only their successes.
Music by Wildermiss
Highlights
- Laura Petrovich-Cheney shares the artist journey that led her to embrace failure. (1:40)
- Defining failure as a lack of listening to your intuition and not trying your best. (4:30)
- The difference between failures and mistakes. (6:14)
Laura Petrovich-Cheney in her studio. - The most productive timeline for examining your failures so you can learn from them. (11:45)
- Success comes from learning to do something better. (15:05)
- Compare rejection and failure—which one comes from within? (16:49)
- At what point should you define an experience as a failure? (19:47)
- Throw yourself a pity party, then let go and move on. (22:23)
- Should you share your failures with other artists? (25:42)
- Trying again, and again, and again, and knowing what to do better next time. (29:17)
- Laura shares the lessons she has learned from failing so successfully. (32:43)
- The benefit of asking others for help. (37:58)
- What is currently holding Laura’s attention in the studio? (39:05)
Mentioned
- MacDowell Fellowships
- Bemis Center Artist Residencies
- Wolf Kahn
- Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Fellowships
Quotes
- “Failure is primarily a lack of listening to your intuition.” — Laura Petrovich-Cheney
- “If you really tried your best and you were only capable of a mediocre performance, that’s still your best.” — Laura Petrovich-Cheney
- “Failing to learn from an experience is another failure.” — Alyson Stanfield
- “In the failure, you learn how to do something better. And that sometimes is a bigger success.” — Laura Petrovich-Cheney
- “Listening to your intuition and honoring who you are is so important to being successful.” — Laura Petrovich-Cheney
About My Guest
Laura Petrovich-Cheney is a contemporary sculptor working with salvaged wood collected after living through an environmental disaster. 
A former fashion designer and art educator, she is directly inspired by quilts and weavings. With her salvaged wood, she explores themes related to feminist identity, contemporary craft, and stories of loss and transformation.
She was a 2017 New Jersey Council on the Arts Fellow in Sculpture and a 2021 Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellow in Craft.
Follow Laura on Instagram: @laurapetrovichcheney
Music by Wildermiss
The post What your failures are teaching you with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (95) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
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