Today hundreds of artists are turning on their computers and checking email with a mix of anticipation and dread. The jury results for the Leigh Yawkey Museum's "Birds in Art" are in and the email notifications have been sent out.
What we create is deeply personal...it comes from our hearts, our minds and our souls…the true artist creates work as unique as they are.
Beyond the ability to draw/paint/sculpt...artists
must have the willingness to expose themselves to criticism, mockery, judgement, rejection and a public that sometimes simply might not "get" what it is we do.
everyone sees something different in a piece based on their own set of life experiences.
Try not to let a jury decision (bad OR good) carry too much weight...
Though it is tempting to try to fit into the niche you want to be a part of….being an artist means being true to that uniqueness within your own soul.
Regardless of the endless work, the pain, the hard knocks, the string of rejections…nothing matters more than pouring your heart completely into what you do and being true to your own perfectly unique vision.It is worth it...and soulful intent will shine through in the work you do.
The technical end is relatively easy…most anyone can learn the craftsmanship of making art. Most anyone can copy a style or a photo and create something that someone somewhere would be happy to have in their home.
As Agnes DeMille said:
"The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark."
they honor their unique way of expressing themselves through their art.
And no matter how many times they fall...they keep leaping!
there is always something new to try and there is always room for improvement.
In hindsight, I wish I'd saved the plethora of rejections that have landed in my mailbox (it would be an impressive stack of "no"!)…but it would also be a reminder of the sheer determination that is a big part of my foundation as an artist.
Along the way, I have also been rejected from more shows than I can count.
If I miss out on an award or get a rejection...I work harder to push that envelope next time.If I win an award or get "in"...I work harder to push the envelope next time.
No matter how many rejections come my way...I will continue to try to break free of my comfort zone and make art straight from the heart.
This is a journey, my friends. The true artist's path is no yellow brick road…it is fraught with washouts, thorny patches, ruts and blind curves.
Choose your steps carefully, trust your heart, listen to your muse and find joy in the fact that there could be something wonderful to learn just around the next bend. 
"In" or "out", I am grateful for shows like Birds in Art that give us reason to raise the bar and take flight as artists.
Congratulations to ALL of the artists who spread their wings to even TRY for this show...
as far as I am concerned...every one of you is "in"!
By the way...
ALL of the paintings that illustrate this post represent just SOME of my Birds in Art "rejects" over the 20 years I have applied...(and, yes, there were some others that DID get in!) :-)
ALL of the paintings that illustrate this post represent just SOME of my Birds in Art "rejects" over the 20 years I have applied...(and, yes, there were some others that DID get in!) :-)
Beautiful work in my subjective eyes, and your words are so forthright and true. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Lyn,
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful writing! And all your artwork is stunning! So you are an accomplished artist AND accomplished writer!
Thanks for your words and photos!
You are a true Renaissance woman. Beautiful paintings, beautiful Words.
ReplyDeleteLyn, you are an inspiration. Your superb blog post should be required reading for every artist who submits work to an exhibition, gallery, art fair, publication, or competition of any sort. I have said over and over that while sharing the news of an "acceptance" is among the joys of my work at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, informing an artist that his or her work was not selected is among the most difficult and heart-wrenching tasks. I want to believe that we all learn from all experiences -- acceptances and rejections. Of course, no one prefers the latter. And so we press on and celebrate successes. Your blog post made my day! Thank you. Kathy
ReplyDeleteYour art is always fabulous! Your words are incredible as well.
ReplyDeleteYou're 'in' in my book
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyn. First, for sharing and exposing your soul to the world, that those open to see may take note and be nourished from it. Secondly, being a wildlife artist in the midst of a current "rejection" phase, these words are especially poignant. Thank you! Billy
ReplyDeleteThe words of a true artist!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this post, it's very inspiring and encouraging. Your paintings are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully expressed for all of us and for all of us to remember, over and over again. Thank you, Lyn. Your paintings are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAfter being rejected 13 out of 14 times for Birds in Art, I learned a few things. First, people who know birds and deeply care about them know if the painting captures the "soul" of the creature or if the bird is simply a decoration in a good composition. If a judge doesn't know birds, then a badly drawn bird is less important than the overall color and impact of the painting.
ReplyDeleteWould this be the case with a human portrait? Since we know people better than birds, a badly drawn portrait probably wouldn't make it in a show, unless it's distortions we derived from meaning. It you get a judge who has no interest or knowledge in birds, it's no wonder that the fail to see the merits of a great bird portrait that captures the "soul" of a bird. I doubt Fuertes would make it into BIA, because it would be deemed as simply illustration.
Birds in Art is really just a showcase of the judges' taste, who might not even like birds. If the painting that an artist produces passes their own scrutiny, then it has already been judged by the harshest critic.
So much beauty...so much courage...so much hope....gifts you give others...
ReplyDeleteThank You....I feel blessed to have found your blog.
Ribbons or rejections...what a simple, but effective way to describe what we artist try to attain and avoid! No matter how long I've been an artist, I still read those letters with one eye open and the other eye shut bracing for the "nope". :)
ReplyDelete