Doubt??? What's that?! Has anyone ever had doubts? Me??? Nuuuuuuu, never a one. I'm simply the poster girl for doubt on some things. For instance, painting a rose. I've tried for a couple of years to paint a rose and have finally arrived at the point where I realized I could embarrass myself only so much by posting my paintings. I don't sell any, just do them for friends and myself. But recently I started having self-doubt again. Oh, not just about rose painting, but something else. It has almost paralyzed me. That's how bad it was. Here's the story.
I've seen some gorgeous aprons on the blogs and thought "I can do that" because it's one of my favorite things to do—make aprons. So I made one and think I've displayed it on one of my blogs (memory isn't what it used to be, chicks!) and thought I'd submit it in a sort of contest to see if it can get into a magazine. I made it months ago but still have not submitted it. Fear of rejection is alive and well and breeding in my mind. :-) Well, I finally contacted a blogger who had one of hers published and asked what the process was. She told me and I said to myself to "go for it" because you can't realize a dream if you don't reach beyond your comfort zone. (Hmmmm, can you tell I'm still talking myself into this?) So I've decided that I'll get it into the next day's mail. What have I got to lose? Nothing but the fear of rejection but I'll never know if I don't try. I think most of us have that fear—rejection. But I won't know if I don't try. I'll let you know if they laugh at me. Nuuuuuuu, you'll hear the earth shake with my cries if it isn't published.
~*~
Now, here's what I've been working on lately. It takes a lot of fortitude to display to the world my private world of painting. But I'll never know joy if I don't show them.
These are little plaques that had paper on them. When I hung them outside on the back of the house the paper faded and peeled off. So I painted them white and they've sat in my craft room for almost a year waiting for me to do something with them. This is the day I've decided to do one with a little bird nest and one with just little roses on them. I'll hang them on my front porch when I finish them. PROUDLY!!!! As I'm "conquering" this particular fear!
I've seen some gorgeous aprons on the blogs and thought "I can do that" because it's one of my favorite things to do—make aprons. So I made one and think I've displayed it on one of my blogs (memory isn't what it used to be, chicks!) and thought I'd submit it in a sort of contest to see if it can get into a magazine. I made it months ago but still have not submitted it. Fear of rejection is alive and well and breeding in my mind. :-) Well, I finally contacted a blogger who had one of hers published and asked what the process was. She told me and I said to myself to "go for it" because you can't realize a dream if you don't reach beyond your comfort zone. (Hmmmm, can you tell I'm still talking myself into this?) So I've decided that I'll get it into the next day's mail. What have I got to lose? Nothing but the fear of rejection but I'll never know if I don't try. I think most of us have that fear—rejection. But I won't know if I don't try. I'll let you know if they laugh at me. Nuuuuuuu, you'll hear the earth shake with my cries if it isn't published.
~*~
Now, here's what I've been working on lately. It takes a lot of fortitude to display to the world my private world of painting. But I'll never know joy if I don't show them.
These are little plaques that had paper on them. When I hung them outside on the back of the house the paper faded and peeled off. So I painted them white and they've sat in my craft room for almost a year waiting for me to do something with them. This is the day I've decided to do one with a little bird nest and one with just little roses on them. I'll hang them on my front porch when I finish them. PROUDLY!!!! As I'm "conquering" this particular fear!
~*~Random Thought:
Don't let the voice of critics paralyze you.
Hi Connie, I think the paintings you did are lovely! I have my fingers crossed that the apron gets published too. I have seen alot of the things you have made and I think your a wonderful crafter! I think alot of us have fear of rejection but if you never try, you'll never know...Hugs to you!! Jennifer : )
ReplyDeleteHi Connie!!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean by feeling doubts.... I was that way for a long time until I started sellin on Ebay. BOY, talk about setting yourself up for critisism!!
Ya' sell something... ya' get rated!! GAD-ZOOKS.. People liked my needlework & my paintings!! I was agast... me???
Now I just do my needlework until my fingers almost fall off..
Speaking of which...
I am having a 10 Day Southern Belle
Give-Away!! Come on over & leave a comment to have a chance to win!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo
p.s. There isn't a thing wrong with your paintings!! I Love em'!!
Sweet Connie,
ReplyDeleteI know one thing is for sure, no matter how much you wonder "is it good enough" there is always someone who will see beauty in what you do. It might take two or three submissions and a bit of knocking on some doors, but you will get there, trust me sweet pea.
I hope you are doing well and having a great weekend. We finally had three days of sun in a row. We're thrilled.
xo Cath
Way to go Connie. I've been catching up on your blog. Your paintings are wonderful! I hope your apron makes it into the mag. If it doesnt, dont let it stop you. try something else. Hope you had a wonderful 4th
ReplyDeleteI really don't care what someone thinks about my paintings. I like yours. I have found that most people admire someone's art work because it is yours and yours alone. Expresses your self. The first lesson I learned was it doesn't have to look like someone else.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Good Morning Sweetie. I cannot believe those plaques, you painted them. Oh my gosh those are beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Hang those proudly in your house where all can see when they come in. I loved the nest. You could hang it on the wall, and have a birdie on a shelf near by. I loved, loved, loved it and I'm so glad you shared with. Now the apron thing. You are the last person I would expect to be afraid of rejection. You are so strong in your writing and comedy. Who cares if they don't like your apron? You do. That is all that matters is that you love it. If they turn you down, find another place to try and keep on trying to till you find the right one. I have read to many of your BLOGs to know you to accept rejection. Keep on smiling sweetie. We will see your apron out there in print, and I know you are going to display those paintings proudly. I can only do stick thingies, no painting for me unless it is with a spray can. Country Love and Hugs, Sherry
ReplyDeleteOh I love your aprons..I remember them..I know you will do great with them..I love your little paintings too..we are our own worst critics...so keep doing what you love to do..have a wonderful Sunday..:)
ReplyDeleteI am sure your apron is amazing! I am always just so impressed by your talent and everything you do.
ReplyDeleteHi Connie
ReplyDeleteGood for you for sending in your apron! It is hard for some of us but its good to get outside of your box and do those things that may seem difficult...just for sending the apron I am so sure you'll fee such achievement.
Do not feel rejected or badly if you don't get chosen..just try again!! No one is going to laugh..and you know not EVERYONE can be chosen. Try not to take it personally...and I will listen to myself and feel the same way..*hugs*.
I love your paintings. You did a great job and how proud you'll feel hanging them up!
It was nice having you visit...come by and visit again..
Judi
Beautiful roses, Connie! And definitely GO FOR IT on the apron! You MAY NOT realize your dream if you DO TRY, but you definitely WILL NOT realize your dream if you DON't TRY.
ReplyDeleteOh Sweetie! I knew you would love that little bench. It is just the right height for short gals. My DH went to Home Depot today and one like it, is selling for almost $200.00. I even got the little pillows at the thrift store for 99 cents each. It took 4 cans of spray paint, and the finished project was so much fun. I am so happy with it for sure. Sure did miss you at dinner. Do you have those paintings hung up yet? Get busy! Country love and hugs, Sherry
ReplyDeleteWhoo-hoo, Chick! Good for you to send it in. You never know if you don't try, though I'm right there with you in the "fear-factor" of it all.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your roses!
~Stacey
Oh Connie ~ I think those paintings are awesome! I'm just like you...fear rejection! When I first started doing craft shows, I hated it when I didn't hear from the promoters...only to find out that my stuff wasn't good enough. The more experience I got, I finally got accepted into the shows I wanted.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Hugz,
Michele
Hi Connie, It's always fun stopping by your blog. Painting roses is a lot of fun - and I like to paint them, too. The neat thing about painting roses is that people think "OH MY GOSH - YOU PAINTED THAT!" I watched a lady at a tole painting convention paint roses - and then, I saw Donna Dewberrry there, too. I put the two techniques together for my version of roses! There are some good tutorials on youtube, too. I can be super self-critical, too - and one of my friends said the simplest thing to me - "well, did you have fun?" and I said "YES, I did" - and she said - "then that is the most important thing!" and she was right. We can find joy in our own rose garden - right?
ReplyDeleteLoving the Random thought sweetie and how true it is too!!
ReplyDeletehope your having a great start to the week!!
mands
Well honey, I think your paintings are lovely. And I'm so glad you showed them to us. I'm sure your apron is just as lovely too! sssshhh (don't tell) I fear rejection too. It can be paralyzing can't it? Congratulations to you for moving past it! xo rachel
ReplyDelete