Its funny. Just the other day I was thinking about how my blog is a very censored view of what I do. Then today I saw a friend and he commented to me about how it seems that lately I have had a lot of great opportunities involving my work. This is true. But here, I pretty much only share with you the things that go well, the ideas that work out, and the shows I get accepted to. What I don't share with you is all the things that don't go so well. The ideas that never work out, the failed attempts, the stack of rejection letters, the amounts of money I spend on materials with no guarantee of a return or steady income. Sometimes (okay, often) I spend weeks and weeks working out bad ideas, talking with peers, sketching, researching, reading, NOT sleeping, until an idea finally evolves into something I pursue. And even then, I often work on things that never reach fruition. I have so many pieces and parts of things that never became anything because they didn't work out. I have so many sketches of things that I will never make because they aren't very good ideas. I have applied to so many shows and publications that I didn't get into. This artist life that I am trying to live is not what it may seem to some. I don't just get to spend all day making things and having fun. Sometimes I spend days at my bench...just staring and flipping through books, trying to come up with something. It is hard...and sometimes very discouraging. There is so much self doubt, insecurity, and risk involved in this field. Everything I do is very personal to me. My work is who I am. Of course I love it and it is usually really fun, but not all the time. Anyway, I use this blog as a way to share what I am doing with my work, and I think maybe I need to balance more of what I share to be a more accurate representation of the good and bad. Not that I want to plaster my blog with all of my failures, but all those ideas that don't work out and the shows that I don't get into help me to grow, help my work to grow. Those things drive me to try new things, explore new ideas and take risks that I wouldn't maybe otherwise take. I am glad for those experiences and the struggles that I have to go through. If everyday was easy I don't think I would love what I do as much. I've always enjoyed a good challenge. If you don't believe me, just talk to my parents:)
So, from now on, expect a better mix of the ups and downs.
7 comments:
Thank you for sharing this. You are right when you say it is good to get rejected sometimes. I'm applying for a bunch of shows this year, and half expect a few of those letters.
Funny story: I did a holiday craft show before Christmas, and I got incredible feedback from everyone who saw my work-except one man. I watched him stare at my pieces, looking back and forth between two of my pendants for quite some time.
I went over to talk to him- and tell him a little about the creation process. Instead of listening to me he just said, "this piece is okay, but I hate that piece. What were you thinking?"
Granted, he was half in the bag, but honesty is very refreshing- even if it takes someone a few drinks to get there. It makes you think- and sometimes laugh.
Thanks so much for such a great post. I have been creating art for many years and as many of us know it can be a very personal and alone existence at times.
We work so hard to succeed and when we have success we love to share those successes. But when we dont quite succeed, or spend hours and days working on a project or design we tend not to share those moments as easily, or not at all.
As an artist I am always inspired by knowing that others have traveled the same path. Even though, in my head, I know that we all go through those not so successful moments and work hard to bring our ideas into reality, it somehow brings it real when other artist share the struggles they have faced.
It brings me a confidence that I can forge on and get past this one too. That I am not alone in my failed attempts, unfinished pieces or my goal to find my place in this artistic survival I have chosen for my life.
I think sometimes when you are looking at someone whose work and career you admire, it can be all too easy to look at their success and not see the hard road they took to get there.
So when other artists take the time to share this most personal side of their journey, I truly appreciate it and can certainly relate.
I too will make sure that I share both sides of the coin as I move forward in my blog.
Hi Lynette,
Thank you for posting this. I agree that rejection is a part of the journey and can be used for good. Also, it's just nice to know I'm not alone! In the uncertainty that sometimes hits, the days of seemingly no progress or ideas...it helps to know someone whose work I very much admire can relate! I don't feel so alone. :)
Thanks Lynette for sharing. Sometimes it is hard to remember that the most successful people still deal with failure and rejection along the way.
One of my goals for this year is to apply to more calls and not be scared of rejection.
You are so talented and successful and such an inspiration!
Thanks for your comments. It sure is an intersting journey we get to travel in this lifestyle! Sometimes it is so hard, but I think those hard phases are the ones that push us to make our best work...we just have to plow through. Thanks for sharing!
Your work is amazing, Lynette. And I'm glad to know that you struggle through the same things that other artists struggle through. Thank you so much for sharing!
THANK YOU for reminding us not to feel down with a few rejections. Rejection comes with it, it's unavoidable, and necessary to just about anything worth trying.
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