Learning from rejections.

I just got a rejection letter from a teaching residency I applied to. I love teaching and have spent most of my career over the past two decades more on teaching as opposed to my art. I DO love both, but in June 2006 quit my full time HS art teacher job to finally pursue my dream of being a successful artist. But as a self employed artist, I have to seek multiple income sources and my "default" setting when I am thinking about earning money is often teaching.

What is interesting about the past four years is that usually the ONLY time my teaching gigs are successful (meaning well attended or profitable) is when folks seek me out. This has been true for both my painting and business of art "teaching". Almost every time I try to set something up myself or "make" something happen, it falls through.

Over and over again these past four years I have observed this, but old habits die hard! The great news is I am about to start a four month Affiliate Artist Residency at McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte, NC. I will have four months to make more art than I could possibly manage in my small home studio space (not to mention the amazing networking opportunities)!

My primary goal during the next four months is to generate art... not to teach, not to market (although I will be doing some of this to share with others what I'm up to), not help others to reach their dreams... but to go for my own dream! I have had two one-month residencies at Vermont Studio Center in 2006 and 2008. This time, I am in my home town and will be a part of something I have dreamed of for many years... the McColl Center for Visual Art!

You can check out where I'll be and where I've been on these website links...

mccollcenter.org

vermontstudiocenter.org

Honestly, for an artist a residency can be a lifeline for both our souls and our work, itself! (And, there are many different places that fit a variety of personalities and work styles, resartis.org. Once you apply, it will get easier. Also, many places will give you honest feedback as to how your application could be more competitive!)

I guess finally I should say the difference between my recent teaching residency rejection and the MANY times I was rejected by the McColl Center is my relief at not getting the teaching one and my increased desire to apply again and again until I got into the McColl Center. Rejection can be a powerful motivator for what you really desire!