Artist Advice- Rejection
Every artist deals with rejection. One thing that may help alleviate some of the feelings associated with rejection is by understanding how and why it occurs in the first place. If you can understand it you can deal with it.
"Before acquiring a new artist, many galleries need to observe the career development of an artist for many months, sometimes years. It is not dissimilar from watching a stock before making a purchase in the stock market. An investor will usually want to see where the stock has been, lows and highs, research the management of a company to see if it is well run, and talk to professionals to get advice about it’s future potential. Looking at an artist and his/her career is no different. As a gallery, I must be convinced that you would be a “good investment.”…Not necessarily in monetary terms, but an investment in time and energy. Galleries look for serious artists who have matured stylistically, so there will be no drastic changes or surprises during their tenure. This explains the most common gallery “rejection.” “I like your work, but…” Most artists think in terms of black and white and hear this as “It’s hopeless, you stink.” When, in fact, it is the gallery saying they want to watch you to see if you are a stock worth investing in. Remember, studies have shown that it takes at least 3 exposures before your brain registers information. If you never contact that gallery again, you are not allowing them to have the experience of comparing and understanding your artistic development."
"Galleries also have to consider how an artist fits into their stable of artists. With most galleries representing anywhere from 10-50 artists, their goals are to have a cohesive group of artists with enough variety to satisfy their particular collectors. Often times, even if a gallery LOVES your work, you may not satisfy a particular niche they are looking for. The same applies to jurors, looking to put together a juried show. Again, looking at the stock market analogy, you want a well-balanced, diversified portfolio. Thinking about rejection this way, helps to diffuse the personal nature of it." - Sylvia White
This is how galleries think. So when you receave a rejection thing of it in terms of you just need more time to devlope not that you work sucks.