This year one of my resolutions was to enter at least 3 art shows. This weekend I entered my first one, ArtPrize. As an artist living in Michigan, you would think that I would have entered every year, but my fears of rejection have gotten the best of me.

Entering your work in shows is scary. This fact has kept me from putting my work on display so many times I can’t even count. I have missed out on so many opportunities just because I was scared that my work wouldn’t get chosen. I know, I know, that thought is completely absurd! My mind knows that you can’t do something until you try, but the fear of rejection overwhelms my decision making and stops me from even attempting to enter an exhibition.

Fear of rejection, self doubt, embarrasement, unreasonable self deprication have all crippled my life since I was a child. I didn’t even do art until college because I was too critical when I tried. Luckily, I took a class for fun and found my true calling.

I have never felt like my work was good enough. For who, I’m not sure; me, my friends, patrons, jurors? I needed to silence that inner critic and I decided to try. Try creating more artwork, try adding a new medium, try entering something, just TRY! And you know what? It’s worked! I've tried creating a new piece every month and succeeded. I've tried adding embroidery to some pieces and ended up finding a new passion. I've tried entering a show, and doing so helped me write new descriptions of my work, and find photographs of my artwork that I am really proud of. So far I’m in the process of connecting with a venue for ArtPrize. There’s always a chance that it might not work out, but you know what? I’m really glad I entered.