Dealing with Rejection
Well, I didn't get the big Canada Council grant I applied for in October -- not surprisingly, as my application wasn't nearly as strong as last years'. In fact, I'm wondering if I can have an application ready for the big Ontario Arts Council deadline on April 1st -- I have two strong fifteen-page applications, but they do not add up to one strong thirty-page application.
Talked to my sister Wendy last night -- she didn't get a booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair, which astonishes me, as she is an amazing painter with both critical and popular appeal. She asked me how I deal with rejection. So I outlined my steps:
1. Sulk
2. Question validity of particular work rejected
3. Question existance of one's talent in general
4. Question whether one has made the right decision
in putting art ahead of career, resulting in one
doing low-skilled data-entry an age at which
one's father thinks one should have a real job
5. Question the use of art in the first place
6. Eat nachos
7. Place blame
Works for me.
In happy news, Wendy says she'll have oil studies of the Ghost Maps cover art for me to look at on Friday when I see her. Excited!
4 Comments
Here’s my recipe: 1. pretend nothing is different 2. brood 3. decide to give up writing and devote my time to fibre art 4. avoid libraries which are full of published books 5. avoid bookstores for same reason 6. realize ache is wearing off 7. resume writing 8. start revisiting bookstores
Tell Wendy to try for the East Lansing art fair, I’ve seen people I know show there, as well as some very nice works. It’s another place to try.
Pat,
Good point, I should probably have added that I go onto
I am just now at stage three.
Erin
I’m sorry you didn’t get the grant—but don’t lose heart.