It never fails to amaze me how many people think that the artists they see at art festivals simply decide which shows they would like to do, and then arrive the day of the festival and start selling. In tents provided by the festival, no less. Wish it were true, but it ain’t. No, we’re just now starting what the artists I know call “Rejection Season”.
“Rejection Season” is when all of the shows we’ve submitted applications to months and months ago (along with a hefty jury fee) start letting us know who’s in and who’s out. Imagine, if you will, thousands of artists obsessively pressing the refresh button on their email inbox like chickens trying to get a pellet of corn to dispense. At least I do. Don’t you judge me.
And the stakes are high. Get into enough shows–or even just a few of the “right” ones–and your year is made. Get enough rejections, and you start wondering how you’ll look in a Walmart vest. And since you can’t count on any show coming through for you–even ones you’ve done for years–you apply to multiple shows on the same weekend and hope for the best. It’s expensive. It’s stressful. It’s why my parents wanted me to study accounting.
But before you feel sorry for me, I have a confession to make. I don’t want to tell this to my artist friends, many of whom are struggling now, but so far this year we’ve gotten into every show we’ve applied to, and even had to turn one down (sorry Dogwood, but when you’re on the same weekend as Main St. Ft. Worth, our best show ever, you’re going down). This is an embarrassment of riches, and I consider myself the luckiest artist on the planet. If you’ll look to the right of this page, you’ll see a list of where the Fobots will be in 2014.* And if you don’t see your town on the list, don’t panic. We’re still waiting to hear on plenty of shows. Rejection season ain’t over yet…
*Old Town Chicago–we’re in, but may not be able to make it this year, so you’re not on the list yet.
UPDATE–we’ve been accepted to Lakefront Festival of Art in Milwaukee, so we’re going to put Old Town back on the list, since they’re on consecutive weekends. I was hoping to audition for a play that would conflict with both of those shows, but the idiocy of canceling not one, but TWO art fairs, in favor of an unpaid community theatre gig, has finally sunk in. Dates and other schedule details are in the column on the right.
Amy Flynn Designs 
Ms. SpoolTeacher’s mother tried to make her eat peas. She found it futile. She wanted her to get a sensible job like civil service or a utility. She gave up on that and began supporting her artistic inclination instead. Ms. SpoolTeacher wishes she could have taken her mother’s advice, but it just wasn’t in her. She recently had to try on the Walmart vest and it stinks, so the fury to succeed is rekindled big time. You’re blessed in that you have a marketable art that you love to make. Finding that is one of the biggest keys to success. Well done. You’re an inspiration. For now, Ms. Jackie of all Trades SpoolTeacher does whatever she can to keep her head above water until that one thing manifests. It’s a hard road to hoe, but one she wouldn’t change for anything.
Your mother was right. But only about the peas. Ms. Fobotologist didn’t find her true calling until she was 48, so don’t give up.
CGAF in February… you’re in… I’m psyched… see you there!!
How dare you reject the charms of the windy city and all of your loving collectors!! You would be sorely missed and all your bots would miss seeing their mom.
Karen, m’dear, we WILL make it to Chicago one way or another. But it might have to be at the One of a Kind Show next year.
Does that mean you will be at the One of a Kind Show THIS year????
No, it’s too late to apply for this year. Next year. Maybe.
I just wanted to let you know how much I admire your creativity. My son discovered your website and absolutely loved it, he was 9 at that time, now he is 11 and wants to be just like you, he started collecting old tin cans and accessories to make his own robots, but he hasn’t been able to make one yet, he just glues the pieces together and they fall apart, he kind of gave up, but he goes back to see your creations and starts thinking about it again. He said one day he will make one, for now he is concentrating in school and daydreaming. Your robots are fabulous and we hope one day we can see them in person.
Hooray for your son! I hope there’s a whole generation of young robot-makers out there following in my footsteps. I know what he’s going through with the glue, though. I don’t use it much, but unfortunately, the methods I DO use are very un-child-friendly. Has he seen the blog post from last year about using magnets to put them together?