Okay, so everyone is congratulating each other and high-fiving on facebook about who got accepted to the PSoA Members show.
You entered, but got the “it was a tough decision…” letter and, while you’re happy for those that got in, you’re also a little sick of hearing about it, and wish you were one of them. You have probably shut facebook off a couple times already, but like a nasty scab under a bandage, you have to check on it again and again.
That was me last year during the Members Only announcements…and two years before that too…and during the BP Portrait Award announcements every year…and during the Outwin Boochever announcements every year…and every year during the PSA International Portrait Competition announcements…do I really have to go on? Its depressing me a little now.
You know you’re not alone, but no one announces their rejections on facebook. In fact, this year they had a record breaking 804 entries, with only 115 acceptances.
If you want to the winning placements, they are now on the Portrait Society of America Website.
And if you want to see all the accepted works; Place, Merit and Honorable Mention, they are on the Portrait Society Facebook Page , each category with its own album.
The quotes I’ve collected below have made
me feel better at times, so maybe they’ll help you too…and if these
don’t work, there’s always chocolate…and/or wine.
Take heart and keep making art
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“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”( from Michael Jordan)
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm”. (Winston Churchill)
“Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.” (Randy Pausch)
“To live in the presence of great truths and eternal laws, to be led by permanent ideals—that is what keeps a man patient when the world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled when the world praises him.” (from Honore De Balzac)
“When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” (from Helen Keller)
“No biggie…I’m going to enter the PSoA International Show…deadline is March 4th!” (you can say this one)
A committee of the Portrait Society of America devoted to the promotion of Women in the Arts.
I so love your words!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol! I so appreciate YOUR kind words!
ReplyDeleteThis post made me feel better...sigh. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to help! That was kind of the point. I shall have to re-read it myself as time goes by!
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ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! This year I received a placement in the Members Only Competition for the first time ever (I've entered for the last 6 years). I know these feelings and thoughts exactly and still feel the sting of rejection quite often. Love the inspiring quotes and words of encouragement. Keep on keeping on! :-)
DeleteCongratulations Anna! I actually can't believe you haven't been "recognized" before. Not sure what the magic formula is…not sure there is one. Your work is beautiful though, and I'm so happy for you about this year! I'm bummed you won't be at the conference this year…too close to due date? This is your first one right? You're in for the ride of your life.
DeleteAnd art-rejections are a breeze compared to kid problems. And for me, I've never thrown myself so wholeheartedly into painting as when I'm trying not to think about kid problems…so good stuff is on its way all around!
Best to you!
Judy, thank you so much for this very thoughtful and timely post!! Rejection is never easy, and being reminded that it is part and parcel of all great success stories is very heartening!! Loved the Michael Jordan quote! Your bravery,candor, and concern for others is very apparent, and greatly appreciated!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda! That made my day! I totally appreciate it. This was a tough competition. I just found out they only accepted 115 out of 804, so the odds weren't good. Yeah, I saw that Micheal Jordan quote on a kids tee shirt and had to steal it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comforting quotes for those of us who got rejected. Floored about the Michael Jordan one! Puts everything in perspective, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteYes, it floored me too. But I guess that's what you do. I've always looked at success as a ratio thing…good paintings to bad, wins to losses, fun moments to bad moments, good experiences to bad ones. Ironically that thought process started when we took vacations with our babies and toddlers. They were never actually FUN, but I always tried to up the fun to torture ratio. Now they're older it's actually usually very high…the fun to torture ratio. Wasn't always like that though! Not by a longshot!
DeleteVery inspiring, thank you!
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