How to Handle Rejection as an Artist: Turning No into Opportunity
"We regret to inform you…"
How many times have we opened an email that begins with this dreaded little sentence? In an instant, there’s a pang of anger, frustration, regret, and helplessness for yet another opportunity that has failed to materialise. “If only I could get that gig/job/opportunity,” we tell ourselves. “Then I’d be happy.”
On a warm and breezy evening back in April, as I sat with my friends in a bustling backstreet in Bologna, I expressed my sense of procrastination around reaching out to potential clients. When my friends asked why, I expressed that it must be because I fear rejection. And that doesn’t come as a surprise. Rejection in any form equals discomfort, but for an artist, as someone who feels deeply and expresses their vulnerability for all the world to see, rejection can feel like a personal stab to the heart. It feels even worse when you believe the opportunity was made for you. You build the application up valiantly. This is the one, you declare. Desperately clinging to a positive outcome, you sit and wait with all limbs crossed, only to receive a short, impersonal message that reads, “thank you, next.”
Reframing Rejection
As much as rejection feels personal, it really isn’t. There are so many other considerations out of our control. For example, a client could be concerned with funding, other applications, their own time, and so much more before they agree to take you on. Rejection isn’t happening to you because you are ugly, not good enough, not talented enough, or any other negative belief you make a no mean about yourself. In order to break free of rejection feeling like an intimate attack on our well-being, we must reframe our ideas of what rejection means.
Repeat this mantra whenever you feel overwhelmed by rejection: Rejection is redirection. This was my rock when I first started my illustration journey. Rejection is not personal. It is a clear and direct push towards the path you are meant to be on. As soon as you understand this at a core level, you are able to bounce back much quicker and move on from what you think should have, could have, would have been.
The second thing to note is that just because whatever you were hoping for hasn’t turned out the way you wanted, doesn’t mean it will never happen. This kind of black-and-white thinking used to make me fear rejection so much that I would avoid putting myself out there altogether. I believed that if I submit an application and get rejected, I’ll be a failure and nothing will ever work out for me. Wrong! A kinder way to think about this for your inner artist is that it’s just not the right time. Maybe something better will come along. Remind yourself to keep putting your work out there because you believe in yourself and know everything is working out for the best.
Embracing the Journey
As artists, our bounce-back rate is so important for a thriving and consistent practice. Get comfortable with the no’s because each one pushes you closer to your yes. The people who are successful are not the ones who rarely get rejected, but the ones who push forward even with the rejections. Successful people don’t take rejection to heart. They don’t see it as a personal attack but rather a simple nudge from the universe showing them that this person/place/role is not a fit for them… yet. Sometimes, things just aren’t meant to be. Seeing an application as more of a statement of intent has helped me massively in defeating the fear of rejection. Now the goal isn’t to get a yes; it’s to show up for myself daily and just send the application out. To show the universe that I am ready and open to receive. In thinking this way, I have become less fixated on what I do and don’t get and seem to find more ease in opportunities showing up at unexpected times. Many of the opportunities I’ve received have followed a rejection. Last year I sent out an application for a studio space; the universe sent me an exhibition opportunity. I applied for a facilitator role; the universe sent me a commission from a gallery. An early-stage book project fell through; the universe sent me an author who wanted to collaborate on a children’s book about Gene Kelly. Rejection is just redirection.
Getting an Agent
Last month, I woke up to not one, but two rejection emails - such joy! One from a facilitator role, the other from a client who decided to go in an alternative direction. Neither of these were losses, although my ego still felt the blow of rejection. In that instant, I still felt the same pang of disappointment, but I quickly asked myself a very important question.
The question was: How is this a gift?
We all get rejected, so if your fear is making you resist taking action, you better get over it. Because you can’t move forward unless you get a no. Just as we need the dark to appreciate the light, the rain to appreciate the sunshine. What differentiates resilient artists from unsuccessful ones is not that they ignore the “no,” but that they don’t see no as negative. There is a gift in the rejection. Asking ourselves, “Where is the gift?” drastically reframes our beliefs into a more positive outlook. On the morning I received these rejections, I asked myself what positive thought is trying to come through? How is this a gift? This not only snapped me out of a negative thought-loop but over time helps wire my brain to always look for the positive. And I can guarantee you, there is always a positive. On this morning, after taking a little time to reflect on these rejections (but not taking them so personally), I received an offer that I will remain incredibly grateful for. I was offered representation from The Plum Agency! In an instant, one of my biggest goals of 2024, and something I once thought would take years to come to fruition, came true. Even more importantly, I had already received a rejection from this agency in 2020, and I still remember how personally I took it. Four years on, I have now signed with the agency and am so excited to begin working on projects with them. Isn’t it funny how life works out? I’m eternally grateful to officially be a part of the Plum family!
Resources to Support You
The more I pursue illustration, the more I value caring for my inner artist as much as my practice. Over the past four years, I have witnessed how mindset impacts our creativity, yet it’s something I feel isn’t talked about enough. Below I have listed some of the resources that have impacted me massively in my ability to love my work and show up consistently. Wherever you find yourself on your creative path, I hope some of these resources that have helped me will also help you.
Mind
The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest - This book delves into the concept of self-sabotage and how it can hinder personal growth and creativity. Brianna offers insights on how to overcome internal barriers, making it an invaluable resource for artists struggling with self-doubt and procrastination.
The Artists Way by Julia Cameron - I’ve read this book twice now and gain something new each time. The 12-week program is designed to help artists recover their creativity. Through exercises like morning pages and artist dates, Julia Cameron encourages readers to explore their inner artist and reignite their passion for their craft. I have written an entire post on the book here.
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers - I stumbled across this book at my university library at just the right time. The book teaches readers how to overcome fear and take action despite it. For artists, this is particularly relevant, as fear of rejection and failure can often hold us back from reaching our full potential. The book provides tools to build confidence and embrace challenges head-on.
Show your Work by Austin Kleon - This book offers practical advice for artists on how to share their creative process and build an audience. Austin emphasies the importance of transparency and generosity, encouraging artists to showcase their work and connect with others. An interesting and important perspective to keep in mind.
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Julie Smith - This book has been such a comforting companion for me since therapy. The book's gentle wisdom on managing anxiety, facing criticism, building self-confidence, and finding motivation feels like a warm embrace on days when I feel lost or overwhelmed. It's like having a personal guidebook to help me apply what I've learned in therapy to my everyday challenges, bringing a sense of peace and clarity to my journey of healing. Highly recommend!
Body
The Bare Female - This female-led platform offers beautiful, at-home yoga flows. The routines are designed to reconnect you back to your body, helping to relieve stress and maintain physical well-being, which in turn supports creative productivity.
The Workout Witch - A great introduction to somatic exercises, this resource helps artists understand how to release stress and relax the nervous system. By incorporating somatic practices into your routine, you can improve your physical and emotional resilience, allowing for a more balanced and sustainable creative practice.
Community Meetups - For fellow Manchester artists, Drawn In and Sketch & Cafe are excellent starting points. These meetups provide a sense of community and connection with other creatives, offering opportunities to share experiences, gain inspiration, and get out of the studio.
Spirit
Insight Timer - A meditation app with a vast library of free guided meditations.
Superhuman App - My absolute favourite app for meditations at home or on the go. This app offers a wide variety of guided meditations that cater to different needs, from stress relief to creative visualisation, helping you maintain a calm and focused mind.
Life Drawing/Pottery Classes - Whenever I feel stagnant in my practice, I book a creative class and allow myself to play. Any activity can be a great way to break out of a creative rut, offering a change of pace and a chance to explore new mediums and techniques.
Rest - The most simple reminder of all but so important for sustained creativity. Taking time to rest is crucial for maintaining your creative energy and avoiding burnout. Remember to prioritise sleep and downtime as part of your routine as well as time away from social media. When I’m not making art, I love to bake, walk in nature and visit museums as other ways to refill my creative well.
These resources have been instrumental in helping me nurture my inner artist and maintain a healthy, balanced creative practice. I hope they can offer you the same support and inspiration on your journey.
Launching a Newsletter
I have thought long and hard for some time about having my own newsletter. With the recent AI news taking over my Instagram feed, I have been navigating a lot of frustration and uncertainty about where and how I want to share my work going forward. With this in mind, and perhaps some conversations with friends that seem to be guiding me to where I already know I’m headed, I have decided to launch a Substack at the end of this month called The Artist’s Attic. It is essentially a newsletter, sent straight to your inbox, like a warm hug on a rainy day, filled with ideas, processes, and mindfulness tips for your inner artist to get cosy and enjoy.
I have had this idea swirling in my head for almost a year now, and I feel like now is the perfect time to launch it for good. I have also decided, after much careful consideration, that eventually my Substack will have a paywall. I spend a lot of time and love creating these blog posts but feel that with a circle of close members, I can not only share more personal thoughts with you all but also a more intimate look at my illustration processes. The blog will of course remain here, and I will continue to post updates, but posts like this one—posts that I hope help inspire, encourage, and support you as a creative—will be moving to Substack. To sign up for my newsletter is completely free, and there will continue to be free content and updates for those of you who want to remain a part of the community but don’t wish to pay. The Artist’s Attic is very close to my heart, and I very much hope to see you there.
Thank you, as always, for being here and supporting my journey. Rejection is a part of life, especially in the creative field. But remember, each rejection is just redirection. Embrace the journey, keep pushing forward, and believe in the path you are meant to be on. You’ll get there.
C x