Comments on: Expectations, Glass Half Full

By: Margaret

Margaret — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:29:00 +0000

This is a great topic for all artists. I have to admit that I am always disappointed to get a rejection no matter what kind of self-talk I do during the wait. I have always looked for (and needed, I guess) other people’s approval about most areas of my life. I would be a different person if I didn’t.

As I have had more entries with both acceptances and rejections under my belt, it does get less disappointing for me. There was a time when I found it hard to get back to painting for a few days or weeks, now it doesn’t send me into a painting block at all.

I’d hate to be a juror!

By: ruth

ruth — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:56:52 +0000

Thanks Liz and Sue I hear you….

By: Liz Walker

Liz Walker — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:50:18 +0000

Hi Ruth,
I love your quote: “If I value my work, if I am excited about it, I expect others to be excited about it too. And I am disappointed when they aren’t.” Oh, I have so been there, felt that! But I’ve learned, over time, that I love a lot of my stuff (for different reasons) and not everyone feels the same way. I’m okay with that, because CERTAIn paintings of mine just give me an excited tummy feeling and I just KNOW that someone, somewhere will “get” what I’ve painted. Most of the time I get rejected from a show it’s because there’s just TOO many other good artists in that show—I know it’s not a reflection on my painting per se. Bottom line, ya gotta listen to your paintings–they tell you where they need to be! Good post (and love your rain pic–I just did a Rainy Day Friends painting that got an Honorable Mention at OSA).

By: Sue Martin

Sue Martin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:21:33 +0000

I’ve become pretty good at assessing my work and, frankly, sometimes I enter paintings knowing they are not my best and probably won’t get in. I don’t consider that pessimism, though, but, rather, realism. On the other hand, when I have something to enter that I “know” is good, I’m optimistic.

By: ruth

ruth — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:24:11 +0000

I knew that about you Donna But it seems to work for you…. Thanks Vinita… I like the idea of the ‘real owner’ showing up. Sometimes it takes longer than others for that person to appear.

By: Vinita Pappas

Vinita Pappas — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:24:08 +0000

Great article Ruth! For me, the cup is half full!

I once heard some good advice to think about the potential home for a painting while you are working on it. You never know where a piece will end up. So when someone passes by or turns down a painting, I just assume the “real owners” haven’t shown up yet.

By: Donna Watson

Donna Watson — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:01:37 +0000

I am like that artist who assumes he did not get into the show whenever he enters a show— the glass is half empty. Then if I do get in— I feel pretty good.
then the disappointment is short lived if I don’t.
Your philosophy is better of course to see the glass as half full.