Creativity & the Dreaded "R" Word
I found myself YAKing with Kay Van Hoesen on her YAK radio hour this past week. Also chiming in were intern Angela Pilson, creativity coach Elizabeth Cassidy and artist Judi Russell. Our conversation grazed around a wide field of creativity-related topics. It was inspiring to listen to tales of other people's creative processes.
After the radio show, I found myself thinking of additional topics for our discussions here, including today's topic of the "R" word. Can you guess what the "R" word might be? Well, it's Rejection. Yes, rejection is one aspect of putting your creative work out there for public reaction or consumption. "R" might also stand for risk. We have to risk judgment and rejection whenever we enter competions, contests or sales arenas of any kind. If your work is ever going to be seen, published or included in various venues, there is usually a submission process. There is usually competition. So we must "gird our loins" (to use an old-fashioned phrase) and get used to the fact that no one wins 100% of the time. We can't get dejected every time we don't win. We must soldier on.
In 2010, I won a cash award from the National Collage Society's annual juried show. I was over the moon! It was great, and helped to build my artistic confidence. I've only been a full-time artist these last 2 or 3 years, though I've always dabbled with both art and creative writing. In 2011, I entered the NCS annual show again and did not get in, never mind winning any awards. The fact is, there are different judges every year. I've heard of people researching judges' tastes and I might delve into that more in the future when I submit artwork. Even then, there's still no guarantees. But if I cowered down and never entered any more shows, that would be plain dumb. Right now, some small percentage of my work is selling, but I've got a long way to go to really feel established. If you enjoy making art, you want to do it anyway. To feel "seen", you may have to enter dozens of shows, etc. You have to get rejected along the way to getting accepted; that's just the way it is.
I had a creative writing teacher once, now a friend, Chris Woods. He was a font of writing market opportunities, always encouraging us to submit our work to various small magazines and anthologies, etc. And so from him, I learned how important it is to research your markets. Now my favorite place to find national art opportunities is through the Art Deadlines List website and monthly emails. That is how I found Caladan Gallery, was included in two of their innovative group shows and awarded a solo collage show last summer.
When we stroll around a store or craft fair, think of all the things we just walk right past. Not everything appeals to us. And the same is true when others view our own creative efforts. We just have to make an effort to find the right audience for our work.
So don't give up! Get your work out there, mix it up, network, shop around and give it a good try. And due to the democratic nature of the internet, there's always blogging, or sites like Flickr, where you can post work and solicit comments. In any field you can think of, from quilting to poetry, there are sites where you can find a like-minded, hopefully supportive community and artistic exposure. Right here on Creative Intentions we do a bit of sharing as well. Remember this is a good place to post a poem or photo! Those are my thoughts this week, and I look forward to hearing form some of you who have experienced the ups and downs of sharing your art with the world, or are even thinking of doing so. Blessings on the path!
Illustration: collage by KAO: 11, 12, 13 Alive
Tags: creativity, rejection, risk
Views: 52
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kay Van Hoesen on -
The dreaded "R" word reminds me of "Risk-Reward Ratio" ... you have to measure your risk or possible rejection against the potential reward. One has to, as you say, soldier on, whether or not one wins competitions or recognition. That's true with creative endeavors as well as in business. As an entrepreneur, I lost many potential clients to competition, but if I didn't keep trying, I never would have succeeded. And as noted in Theresa Shell's blog about the Oscar's, many competitions are won because of campaigning (just like business, he who schmoozes the clients gets the most work -- usually).
So while I'm not an artist in the literal sense, I certainly have experienced my share of rejection in my chosen field. And I keep reminding myself, everyone doesn't like the same thing. That's why Heinz makes 57 varieties.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your collage, Keddy!
BTW, if you missed Keddy YAKKING with us on YAK, you can catch the archive here or listen on iTunes.
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Permalink Reply by Bobbie Horowitz on -
This is wonderful Keddy! I still get frightened when I think of being rejected. Then I realize that's my thought. I had a great experience once, a long time ago. The cabaret act i did with my partner "Spector" (we were Horowitz & Spector) got great reviews from all but one reviewer. He didn't care for our brand of song. I saw him at a usual friend's birthday party. I saw him looking sheepish when he saw me. Sprit was with me. I went over to him and said, "Hey, it's okay. Not everybody is going to go for the same thing. Don't worry about it." Then I gave him a hug. guess what! Every time we see each other he come over and gives me a big hello and a hug..
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Permalink Reply by Keddy Ann Outlaw on -
Bobbie - I love your statement: "Spirit was with me."
Sounds like true wisdom! Very illustrative of following your gut, your soul, your truest instincts. Thank you.
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Permalink Reply by Shirley Graham on -
I have always read that the rejection slips received isn't a sign that you 'can't' -or your work is no good- they simply mean it isn't what the ones asking for submissions are looking for at that time. Especially when it comes to writing. Great writers have been rejected hundreds of time before they get that first best seller published. I assume the rejection reason would be the same with other forms of art also.
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Permalink Reply by Kay Van Hoesen on
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I would like to add, re. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, co-authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul
- After 22 rejections, their agent gave the book back, saying he couldn't sell it
- 144 publishers rejected the book
- Trying to get their first book published, Jack and Mark went door-to-door, publisher-to-publisher
- At a book fair - they met a publisher who agreed to read the book. A month later, the publisher agreed to publish it
They now have 225 books in the series and more than 500 million copies sold in 47 languages.
Good thing they weren't deterred by rejection.
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Permalink Reply by Shirley Graham on
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IIRC Jonathan Kellerman,Stephen King and Peter Straub (the latter on my all time favorite authors list) got 100s of rejection slips before being published and going on to become best selling authors-
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Permalink Reply by Judi Russell on -
Rejection slips/moments/notices are indications that you are "IN THE GAME". The more you have, the more you are demonstrating a commitment to moving forward, to winning, to meeting your goals. It's like being up to bat, you'll never hit the great balls unless you are up there swinging.
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Permalink Reply by Keddy Ann Outlaw on
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Thanks, Judi - great analogy!
I loved hearing about your "warmup" period when we talked on YAK - painting 800 paintings as a rookie artist. Inspiring for me! As I add new techniques to my mixed media work, I often find myself rejecting the results, but have to get past that phase to make my art grow. Gotta keep swinging to get that satisfying home run.
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Permalink Reply by Kay Van Hoesen on
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Great point, Judi!
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