I started my artistic career quite late in life and was totally unprepared for the challenges you’ve got to face when you make art your living. 

I was living in Norway and took my education in Scotland and England. When I was studying I was surrounded by people with the same interests and I was a part of a collegial community. Back in Norway when my education was done I found myself at a bit of loss. I was in limbo, what to do now? 

My entire network was in the UK so I didn’t really have anyone to ask either. But eventually I got round to the business of applying for grants and finding places to sell my art. It turned out to be a lot more difficult than I’d imagined. I was probably a bit naive, but felt my education had done little to prepare me for real life as an artist.

My first funding applications started coming back, rejected. I sunk my heart and soul into making a proposal for a project that involved decorating a hospital chapel. I was sure it was the perfect project for me and I put an immense amount of work into it. Submitting the proposal, I was certain that this was my project. When I received news that my proposal was turned down, I was gutted. The difficulty in finding arenas to showcase my art and the rejections piling up made me feel despondent. I was rejecting myself as well questioning whether this was something I should be doing. I got really down on myself. The reality of the challenges of being a full time artist really struck home to me and I realized I hadn’t been prepared for it. 

I think what got me through is that I became part of an artisan collective in Oslo. Having people around me to discuss things with and share experiences made all the difference, suddenly I wasn’t alone and acting in limbo anymore. Having contact with the people buying my art was also really encouraging. I’ve gotten better at reminding myself about my successes and also that it’s ok to be upset and sad about rejections. Luckily I’m not so run by emotions, I’m quite good at seeing the bigger picture and I think that also helped me through that first period. 

I still get upset about rejections. The Norwegian association of arts and crafts, where I’m a member, has a yearly exhibition. I’ve never been past the second round of submission, where you have to physically show your work, then they turn me down, it’s quite tough. But last year, my submission should have been admitted. I got so upset when they didn’t approve it, I felt like writing them a letter saying they’d made a huge mistake. I can still feel that in me now when I’m talking about it.