Congratulations.You’re a finalist.

Congratulations. You’re a finalist. This was a very exciting email to open, it’s my first acceptance into a juried art prize. It feels great. I have entered several art prizes over the years, my first rejection felt terrible. I wondered how artists did this over and over, pay to enter the competition, put yourself and your art out there only to be rejected.

I knew I had to make this okay with myself if I was to continue as an artist. It is part of the artist game if you want to gain recognition and advance your career. I also knew how my actions and reactions influence my kids, this motivated me to find a constructive way to view rejection letters, I wondered what advice I would give them.

And of course my advice would be, keep practicing and putting yourself out there, you will get rejections that’s life , but if this is something you are passionate about you need to keep going. Yes it hurts this is true, and I wonder what you could take away from it. Do you need more practice? do you need to learn new skills?

I came across a wonderful idea from www.mightygirl.com blog featuring Caitlin Kirby and her wonderful rejection letter skirt, I recommend reading the blog such a wonderful way to make the best of something that hurts.

So I decided to collect my rejection letters with the intention of making a dress. It takes the sting out a bit because the rejection letter can be put to good use and it’s fun. The dress is on hold for now which feels nice.