Editorial: The Art of Confidence

“You keep rejecting my images…not just one or two, but all of them. I don’t know why because you give no reason for it and it’s really getting me down!”

I wonder how many times any of us have heard this? For my part, I get it a fair bit, but there are other times when I am on the giving end of that statement (or one like it). Mostly, I won’t articulate it, but it does run through my head from time-to-time; it’s part of being an artist, and of being human.

I’ve been involved in a discussion this past week about “rejections”; it’s surprising to read the differing views on it. There are some who look on rejection as motivation and opportunity for improvement; some who take it in stride and move on; and some who let it affect their confidence to the point where they just give up (or want to).

Rejection isn’t necessarily a negative, though we have a tendency to let it affect us in the negative. If we deal with it in the right way, it can be a positive; or at least have a positive effect on our work and ourselves. Attitude and confidence are important factors in dealing with rejection. As artists, most of us will have come up against some form of disapproval or rejection for at least some of our work. It is, quite simply, part of the job. There are very few artists in the world whose every piece is loved, even by their staunch fans.

If you create art to please others, you will always be looking for acceptance from others, and you will only find it…sometimes. You will spend your entire career (life) seeking justification for your work (or yourself).  Create for yourself, instead; please yourself in what you do and the satisfaction you achieve from learning to do that will be a part of all your work.

Here’s what you’ll get from learning to do that - when your work pleases, motivates, stirs the viewer you’ll be thoroughly delighted (a natural reaction), but you’ll be even more thrilled to discover that you are satisfied with the work no matter what anyone else thinks. It is this joy; this satisfaction that makes the creative spirit in us grow.

Take time to learn how to turn a negative into a positive; take time to immerse yourself in your own acceptance and you will be rewarded with confidence.