Welcome to Ask Artwork Archive, where we respond to real letters from working artists navigating the complex, unglamorous, and often exhausting parts of their art careers.
This week’s letter comes from someone who’s doing all the things—submitting to shows, applying for grants, building their practice after hours. And still, nothing seems to land.
After months of pouring their limited time and energy into applications, they’re left wondering: Is this even working? More importantly: Is it working for me?
They're in good company asking that. Many artists hit this point, where burnout meets self-doubt, and begin to question whether it’s time to shift strategies, take a break, or walk away from certain paths altogether.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of rejection, or unsure what to do with the limited energy you have, this conversation is for you.
Let’s talk about what it means to reset, refocus, and find a path that actually supports your art practice—on your own terms.
Dear Artwork Archive,
I’ve applied to galleries, art shows, grants, all the things you’re supposed to apply to...and the rejections keep piling up. Before you say it, I know, I know: rejection is part of being an artist, but lately it’s gotten harder to shake off.
I have a day job, so my time is already limited. Most nights, I’m either in the studio or filling out yet another application, hoping that one of them leads somewhere. But after months of trying to chase different opportunities, I’m starting to wonder if I’m on the wrong path altogether. I’m starting to feel like I’m spending all my time chasing things that might not even be right for me.
What I want to understand is what's actually worth my time and effort. Should I keep applying to shows, or should I focus on building a stronger collector base instead?
How do you know if the system you're working within just isn’t built for you? Or if you're just hitting a rough patch? How do you know when it’s time to shift your strategy or to keep pushing?
I’m not thinking about quitting. But I am thinking about whether I need to step back and reset my priorities. If you have thoughts on how to reevaluate where you’re putting your energy, I’d really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Worn Out and Wondering
Dear Worn-out and Wondering,
You’re asking questions that come up at a certain point in so many creative careers, usually after months (or even years) of doing exactly what you’re supposed to do. You’ve shown up. You’ve applied. You’ve done the research. It makes sense that you’re questioning where all of that energy is going. Especially when the return hasn’t matched the work.
If you’re feeling burned out from the cycle of applying, waiting, and hearing “no,” it might help to take a real pause. Completely step away from submissions for a month or two and just focus on the studio. Reconnect with your practice. Use the time to deepen your skills, explore new ideas, and make work that excites you. Pay attention to what it feels like to create without someone else's criteria.
Think of it as your own self-directed residency: a dedicated stretch of time to shift your focus inward, recommit to your vision (or shift your vision), and experiment without pressure. That kind of focus can strengthen your craft and help you return to your goals with more clarity and momentum.
When you’re ready, come back and ask yourself what you want from your art practice in the day-to-day. Maybe it’s more uninterrupted time to create. Maybe it’s a few consistent sales. The more specific you are, the easier it becomes to choose opportunities that are actually worth your time (and your effort).
If the idea of taking a break adds more anxiety than relief, that might be telling you something too. It could be a sign that you’re craving momentum, just a different kind. In that case, try shifting gears. If applications are draining, focus on reconnecting with collectors or inviting people to your studio. These things could help you build your collector base.
You don’t have to commit forever. Pick one path for a set window of time and track how it feels. You'll learn more by doing than by overthinking.
Artwork Archive can support you no matter which route you take.
Spending more time on collectors? Use the Contacts tool to track who’s shown interest, what they liked, and when to follow up. You can log notes like “loved my ceramics at the open studio” or “asked about payment plans—follow up in August.” It helps you stay on top of relationships and turn interest into sales.
And if you decide to start applying to shows again, use the Exhibitions feature to track what you submitted, which pieces you included, and any key details—like deadlines, juror notes, or any insights about the experience. It might not feel useful right away, but over time you’ll be able to look back and spot patterns in what aligns with your work and what doesn’t. Rejections won’t feel so loaded when you can look at them as data that’s just part of a bigger picture. And for perspective, here’s what one artist learned from applying to 100 opportunities.
It's worth thinking about your day job in a different light too. A steady income can create more freedom than it seems to at first. It gives you the option to make work on your terms, without needing every piece to prove something or produce a result. That’s a gift, even if it comes with limitations on your time.
You’re asking good questions. They come from a place of wanting to make this work, and that kind of honesty is what keeps an art career alive for the long haul. Wherever this reflection takes you, remember that you’re allowed to change course. You’re allowed to let go of things that no longer serve you and to reimagine what your art life looks like.
– Artwork Archive
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