The holiday exhibition season is here. Your work is hanging, the lights are bright, and for every piece that finds a perfect home, there are a dozen more facing the court of public opinion. It’s an exciting time, but also one where criticism and rejection can feel particularly sharp. A thoughtless comment in the guestbook or a silent rejection from a gallery call can sting, derailing your creative momentum.
Every artist, from the emerging talent to the master, faces this. The goal isn’t to build an impenetrable shell, but to develop the tools to process feedback, protect your creative spirit, and grow from the experience.

Two Types of Feedback: Understanding the Source
Not all criticism is created equal. The first step is to learn to differentiate.

Constructive Criticism: This is feedback offered with the aim of helping you grow as an artist. It’s specific, thoughtful, and comes from a knowledgeable source – a trusted mentor, a respected fellow artist, or a gallery owner you respect. They might say, “The texture in the foreground is compelling, but I wonder if the background could use a little more variation in tone to create greater depth.”  This is gold. It gives you something concrete to consider.

Destructive Criticism: This is feedback designed to belittle, dismiss, or simply project someone’s personal taste onto your work. It’s vague, emotional, and unhelpful. Think, “I just don’t get it,” or “My five year-old could do that.” This says more about the critic than it does about your art. Your mission is to recognise it for what it is and let it go.

Your Practical Toolkit for the Tough Moments
When criticism or rejection hits, have a plan. Don’t just react.

Pause and Breathe. Your initial reaction will be emotional. Give yourself space – a minute, an hour or even a day – before you respond to fully process the feedback. This prevents a defensive outburst you might regret later.

Ask them to repeat. Take a breath and simply say, “Could you repeat that please?” Nine times out of ten they will realise that they have been rude and backtrack on what they have said. If they don’t, calmly ask the question “Was that meant to hurt/insult/upset me?” Again, most people will backtrack. In the very rare event that this person is out to really upset you, all you need to do is say “I am not available for this conversation and I am now going to …speak to other visitors, go and get a coffee, visit the toilet…”. Say anything (but keep it polite) and remove yourself from the situation. By all means get cross but don’t stoop to their level. As I say so often, it says more about them than it does about you.

Interrogate the Feedback. Ask yourself three questions:
Who is it from? Is this a person whose opinion you value and/or trust? If it’s a random social media type comment, the value is likely near zero.
What is the specific point? Can you separate the useful nugget from the emotional delivery? “Your colours are muddy” is more actionable than “This is ugly.”
Does it resonate? Deep down, does this critique point to something you were already unsure about? If so, it might be an area for growth.

Separate Your “Product” from Your “Person.” This is the most crucial skill for an artist. Your artwork is a thing you made; it is not you. Rejecting the painting is not rejecting you. A critic is critiquing the product, not your worth as a human being. Repeat this to yourself as often as needed.

Transforming Rejection into Fuel
Rejection from an open call or gallery can feel like a final verdict. It isn’t.

Reframe It. See rejection not as a “no,” but as a “not this time, for this specific context.” Jurors have tastes, galleries have niches, and a piece that isn’t right for one show might be perfect for another. It’s a mismatch, not a failure.

Maintain a “Submit and Forget” Habit. The moment you submit a piece or send an application, immediately start working on something new. Keep the creative pipeline flowing so your sense of progress isn’t tied to external validation.

Create a “Win” Folder. Keep a digital folder or a physical box where you store positive emails, photos of sold work, and encouraging notes. When a rejection lands, open your win folder. It’s tangible proof that your work has value and connects with people.

Remember, a critic’s voice is just one voice. The art world is vast and diverse. By developing resilience, you are not just protecting your current work; you are ensuring you have the strength to create all the work that is still inside you, waiting to be seen.