Learning from disappointment…

I too suffered from the rejection blues...QN blues in particular; but to turn things around I have finished 2 quilts, (they were almost done) and made a skirt while also doing the gardening things too! We just have to go on and I am sure your quilt was way cool... I guess it boils down to not everyone liking the same thing and its the same with judges. Ha Ha sounds like mom advice. But I love quilting too and maybe next year we'll be up there on the wall side by side.

Beth, don’t make yourself crazy. We all have our depression from rejection stories, but the rejections to not define you as an artist. What one juror rejects, another might have accepted. It's a numbers game, so do your best work, believe in yourself and keep trying. Do what you do because you want to do it. This is all about the process, the journey–the destination is just the cherry on top. Don’t over think it, don’t fret over it, don’t stew in self doubt and depression. Just get back into the studio and make something else.

Hey, I have LOTS of those letters! I wanted to tell you that years ago one of my compatriots calculated that we have a better chance applying and getting into Harvard than QN. (And I don't want to go to Harvard.) Continue your pity-party as long as you want but it's not productive. Your work is wonderful, start sending it to other important shows right away! And think of your artistic life by your many SUCCESSES, not rejections.

Great post, Beth. I hope these two comments will cheer you. First, I could not possibly have gotten into QN this year because I MISSED the deadline! I had it in my head the deadline was Sept.15. So I sat down at my computer on the 14th to discover the deadline was Sept 12! How's that for stupid!? Secondly, I did get into Visions and went to the opening weekend in San Diego on Oct 11. One day, while sitting around with others who made it into the exhibit everyone (except yours truly) said, "Would you like to see a picture of my QN reject?" I said, "Would you like to see the brain scan I had done after I missed the deadline?"

Beth, I so enjoyed reading your comments. I didn't enter this year, but had a rejection last time. It does take your breath away for a while. It's hard to ignore the rejection but, Leni gave some good advice. Keep making your wonderful work.

Wonderful post, Beth. Rejection is hard to handle, but you can't let it keep you from doing what you do!

Beth, I had the same thought about my piece, and your words reminded me that it is sort of the way I would feel after a big test. "I might have aced it, but maybe not". I am finding it easier to move on since I have had other acceptances and know that there will be more in the future. And the quilts we entered are now available for other exhibits! More to be sent out into the world.

Another reject here - I feel your pain! I wish you would post a photo of your quilt so we could see it, I'll bet a grouping of the rejects would make a great show!!

Just what I needed to read! It's easy to tell yourself you know these things are true. Why is it easier to believe these truths when they are articulated and shared by others? Thank you for sharing them!

QN reminds me a bit of the old Charlie Brown cartoons in which he'd go to kick a football and Lucy would yank it away at the last second. I would love to see a Salon des Refusés of the works which didn't make it in. I'll bet many are quite wonderful.