Liz R. Derksen - Artist
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Rejection Hurts

5/14/2015

4 Comments

 
Picture
About a month ago, I applied for "elected" membership with the Canadian Society of Artists.  This is a non-profit organization that was born to born to foster and celebrate the visual arts in Canada.  Some of the benefits of joining organizations like this one and the Federation of Canadian Artists are:


1. being able to participate in shows across the country
2. access to demos and workshops given by professional artists
3. exposure
4. critiques of your work
5. meeting other artists and benefitting from their experience


Anyways... I received a letter a few days ago which gave me the news that I had not been accepted as an elected member.  After a couple days and 5 bottles of wine......     I'm OK.  


The positive was that they included the juries comments on my work and for the most part it was quite positive, and I was encouraged to reapply next year.  


So... sometimes I wonder if I should be part of these organizations.  It is difficult to have your work judged.... or rather it is difficult to have your work judged and found lacking, but easy to have your work judged and found to be amazing and wonderful.  I love feeling wonderful :)  So, I guess that even though being judged is sometimes painful... it is a good thing, and I do appreciate the chance to be able to grow as an artist.  Growth is a good thing.


The good news about all this is that I've found in my life, when something challenging happens... or I get my sensitive feelings hurt a bit... something great is always just around the corner.  Really... this happens.  


So here's to just around the corner.  :)



4 Comments
Nancy Richer, (Mom)
5/14/2015 02:24:28 am

Absolutely!!

Reply
Sandra McLaughlan link
5/14/2015 04:27:14 am

Well I enjoy all of your works on FB as do my friends. Maybe the
criteria is too high for the society and you just don't meet it , say
volume of sales or whatever. Keep trying, if it benefits you to become a member. For sure you are a marvelous artist. I am an
aspiring picture book writer/illustrator so I have some rejections collected and it is demoralizing to have my 'babies' rejected and criticized but one publisher said he liked my idea so much he kept it a whole year (I had thought it lost in the mail) and Annick Press sent one back saying 'while your manuscript for ____ has some nice elements , it is not quite strong enough for publication" so that is telling me I must oomph it up but at least I now know that is what I need to do!

Reply
Liz Derksen
5/14/2015 04:53:37 am

Thanks for the encouraging words Sandra :)
I can tell that you do know what it is like to feel rejection. I find that I have to remember why I paint, which is to make people feel good, and to share my joy. It that is happening... great.
I want to also wish you lots and lots of success in your field as well. Good things are going to happen. :)

Reply
deb fraser
5/14/2015 05:20:05 am

Liz...you are a talented artist...don't forget that.




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    Liz R. Derksen is an artist living in BC.  

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