On Artists and Rejection

As a creative, I am compelled to make art. I am also compelled to share that work, to expose self and vision, and in that exposure, risk rejection.

I submit work to juried art shows - and sometimes that work is accepted and sometimes rejected.

No lie, it's easy to be accepted, it's a sigh of relief, a sign of validation.

Being rejected is hard. I question the work, the choice I made to expose myself, and wonder why my work wasn't chosen. What was missing for the juror? What was s/he looking for? Should I have submitted a different piece?

Rejection is a chance to learn, to grow, and to try again, but first I deal with the hurt of rejection. And it always hurts, no matter how many times it happens.

Once I spiral past the hurt, I review the work. I re-focus on the next step, the next deadline for submission, the next art project. And I re-read this quote from Ramesh Lohia: "Each rejection brings us closer to acceptance."

Pictured below is "The Chair" - it was rejected for one show, but juried into another and sold. 

"The Chair"

Artwork & words by Terry Rowe.

All work can be or is available for sale, visit www.terryrowe.photography. You can also leave me a comment if there is a particular piece of work you are interested in.

I am grateful for all of your comments and views.
 

Door in an Abandoned House

A long empty house, touched with traces of the family that once lived there, and this door, left ajar, call up memories and stories known but untold. 

This door reminds of the many hands that turned the knob, crossed into the room, opened the door, and shut it later. Half-open doors entice, invite, speak of the unknown, of possibilities, of thresholds into different worlds. Half-open the door begs to be pushed wide open. 

If you push open this door and step quietly over the threshold of this room - you might - in the stillness - hear the echoes of those who lived in this house.









Artwork & prose by Terry Rowe.

All work can be or is available for sale, visit www.terryrowe.photography. You can also leave me a comment if there is a particular piece of work you are interested in.

I am grateful for all of your comments and views.
 

Beloved

Beloved,
Can you hear me calling you?

Run away with me.

Let's find a place where we can dance in the moonlight
and drink wine until we are both silly and giggling.

Remember how you kissed me that first time?

You touched my face and said, "I'm going to kiss you."
And, my life flew into a different trajectory.

Beloved,
Can you hear me calling you?









Artwork & prose by Terry Rowe.

All work can be or is available for sale, visit www.terryrowe.photography. You can also leave me a comment if there is a particular piece of work you are interested in.

I am grateful for all of your comments and views.