Facing Rejection as an Artist: Keep Going
On display at the Cressman Center, Louisville, Ky. from Oct. 7 - Nov. 19, 2022: Life in Death, Oil Pastel on Sandpaper Board, 20 x 28 inches, by Susan E. Brooks. Though rejected from this exhibition in the past, for the past two years my artwork has juried into the OSL Exhibition at the Cressman Center, Louisville, KY.
At the risk of sounding like a failure, I thought I’d share what one of my professors said years ago when I was studying art in college. Her wise words went something like this:
“I have a drawer full of rejection slips from all of the juried shows that did not accept my artwork. I keep them to remind me of the hard times and to keep me humble. All artists will face constant rejection of their work. You have to develop a thick skin and just keep going.”
By that time, she was a successful portrait painter selling her work for thousands of dollars per portrait. Yet she kept those rejection slips.
I don’t necessarily keep all of those—they’re all emails now—but I remember her drawer full of rejections when I’m discouraged. All artists face rejection, even, and perhaps especially, the ones who ultimately become successful.
Above, we were the enchanted utensils dancing and singing “Be Our Guest” in Beauty and the Beast at Oldham Co. Arts Center in June of 2022.
In the past few years, I’ve started acting and writing along with my painting and drawing. A couple of weeks ago, I was sure I had nailed an audition. I’d had so much fun and just knew I’d be offered a part. Finally, the email came, and I didn’t get a part. And though tempted to stay at home, cry, and eat junk food, I rearranged my schedule to go to the next audition that same night. And this time, an offer came for a part in a Christmas play at Shelby Co. Community Theatre to act and sing in the Christmas Carol. And the next day, a director contacted me to ask if I would read for her play coming up in the spring. Acceptance usually follows rejection, eventually, if we keep at it.
Also, I recently received a check in the mail from an article I’d sent off two years ago. Let’s just say I sent off quite a few articles that were rejected, and I had no idea they were going to publish this one until I got the check!
With my visual artwork, I’ve been rejected from a particular show for two years in a row, and then the third year accepted and praised to the high heavens. Sometimes that has happened for the same artwork—rejected, then praised.
So I say to you, artist, and to myself, keep doing what brings you joy, and keep on learning and improving your craft. If you are rejected, try to improve and learn more, but don’t take it too personally, because the same work might be highly praised by others. And did you have fun making it, doing it, performing it? Yes? Then keep going. Rest and grieve for a bit if you need to, but then keep doing what brings you joy. It will, in time, bring others joy as well if you keep going.
