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Dork Diaries Book 14

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Ask Brandon

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June 23, 2019

SHOULD I GIVE UP???

Dear Brandon, 

I really love art, just like your BFF, Nikki Maxwell. So, I submitted my artwork in this art contest and I totally thought I’d win. I spent a lot of time on it and thought my work was really good! But, I didn’t win. I wasn’t even a runner up! Then another art contest came along and I decided to try again. If at first you don’t succeed, try again, right? But the same thing happened! Now I’m beginning to think I should just give up on being an artist and never do it again! What do you think?

Frustrated Failure

What’s Up Frustrated Failure,

First of all, you may be frustrated, but you’re NOT a failure. It’s awesome that you put your art out there in those contests. That’s kind of a scary step! Art can be really personal and meaningful, and putting it out there to be judged takes guts. So, good for you!

I’m sorry you didn’t win. But do I think you should give up on being an artist because you didn’t win a couple art competitions? No way!

Look, every single creator you admire has been rejected, lost an opportunity or been told they’re not good enough. Every. Single. One! Artists, musicians, actors, writers. Photographers, including me! Not that you necessarily admire me. 🙂

But just saying, I’ve been there.

We see the success, the end result of a lot of hard work. We don’t always see how many rejections or losses someone has been through. The same is true with athletes, scientists and politicians. You don’t win Olympic gold, make a major scientific discovery or win an election without first losing some games, having some failed experiments, and losing some elections.

But people who create art (or pursue a sport, an instrument or whatever) do it because they love to. That’s gotta be the main reason to do these things. If it’s just for prizes and winning then…yeah. I guess you should quit.

But you’re proud of the work you did. You spent a lot of time on it and thought it was good. You probably enjoyed doing it. So I think you should keep doing it, because you enjoy it. And as you do more, your skills will improve. Maybe you enter more contests, maybe you don’t. But either way, your skills get better.

Also, it’s good to remember that unlike a soccer game or a math test, the results of an art contest are completely subjective. That means that there’s no black and white way to determine what’s good or what’s not. It’s up to the individual taste of the judges. If you look at the reviews of a book or movie you LOVE, you’ll find multiple people who also HATE it. That’s because people’s opinions on art are all different. So you weren’t the winner for these particular judges. Maybe you will be for the next round of judges. But the main judge that matters is YOU – if you’re proud of the work you did, then hurray!

So go out there and make art! 🙂

Have you ever been rejected, not made a team, not gotten cast in a show, or not won a contest? And then did you keep trying? Tell us about it in the comments!

Category: Ask Brandon Tags: artnikki

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Comments

  1. AlexandraHamiltonLafayette says

    July 6, 2019 at 10:40 am

    maybe you can have an art contest at a family reunion or something to boost ur self-confidence and give urself a REALLY good chance to shine!
    if there was a money prize i wud try relly hard
    if there wasnt i wouldnt enter hahahah

  2. TsundeRie says

    July 5, 2019 at 9:50 am

    Like in your situation, I (somehow) can’t even talk or befriend to the one I want (I mean, my chunnibyou senpai, my ‘long-time-troublemaker crush’) I still keep trying until I got confidence too, (and als, some patience) as if nothing ‘awkwardness’ happened. But somehow I stopped doing forsake in my ‘senpai’ (senior) stat… In short, try other things you can like making comics, cooking, or whatever you can (same as you would love to do!) Don’t make failure fail you even you fail so many times, just make it as inspiration . Inconsistency means you are improving! So don’t give up! At the same time, you’ll learn!

    Ganbatte

  3. Lizzie says

    July 4, 2019 at 10:56 am

    I now how it feels

  4. Little catastrophe says

    July 4, 2019 at 1:48 am

    Right! You’re not always perfect, but why not try to do something else other than a contest?? You can join a class, and even (my school’s doing this) volunteer for an eco-art collection!

  5. Another dorky Artist says

    July 4, 2019 at 1:27 am

    I hear you frustrated failure, I’m an artist too, but don’t give up! When I see other people’s drawings and compare them to mine I think mine is the worst!! But hey! Keep on trying, work harder and harder, in the second art competition did you improve? I bet you did, so keep trying!

  6. Anonymous says

    July 3, 2019 at 7:24 pm

    Awww I’m srry that u lost dont give up now I have faith in u

    • AlexandraHamiltonLafayette says

      July 6, 2019 at 10:41 am

      ME TOO
      Anonymous u r such an inspiration u r so kind and thought full. Thank you SO much!

  7. dorkdiariessuperfan says

    July 2, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    go to different competitions

  8. Ry says

    July 1, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    Try again and again, I am a pretty good artist ‍my tips are
    1 try water colors I use them because it’s not messy so my parents allow it, so far I’m okay,
    2 practice drawing like Nikki of painting
    3 learn about different artists and their strategies.my fav Frida kahlo I learned that she drew what she wanted to paint
    4. Try photography, I love it! I have a video camera I take pictures too but you could just use a phone try different Angles and if you have a YouTube channel or help filming one, it’s great practice
    5 how to draw videos I want make one! And when I do watch it!
    6 Learn from people at school, ask : will u teach m3 how to draw that

    • Thebagofhope says

      July 6, 2019 at 1:58 am

      Hi Ry!
      Those are great tips! I love art too but I consider myself as you know not good… Anyways, looking forward to see you in the comment section more often!

      Keep believing in yourself!
      Thebagofhope

  9. taylor swift luver says

    July 1, 2019 at 8:47 am

    dont give up

  10. CattaLatta101 says

    July 1, 2019 at 3:58 am

    Frustrated Failure, (though not really)
    Don’t give up if you love art and let a few judges get in your way. After all, there were how many people in the contests? Probably quite a few, and only one winner. You’re progressing and getting better every time. But if you don’t win, don’t let that get you down. I understand that you want to win, but it’s not like you can’t do art if you don’t win. And who knows, if you keep on, you might just blow the socks off the judges next time and get first prize!! Hope this helps anyone!!!
    Love yourself,
    -CattaLatta101

  11. Popular Girl says

    June 30, 2019 at 11:42 pm

    The first step into success is failing. You should never give up, and always remember you need to trust yourself. You always should try harder. By the way Art is a way to express feelings and your emotions in YOU not the judges they probably think your artwork in a different form they might think it as with a different emotion than you tried to express to them. Don’t worry one time maybe they will feel the same picture you try to express to them. Keep On Trying and Never Give Up !!!!!! I know you can do it. I hope this helps.

  12. Princess Unicorn And Dorkicorn says

    June 30, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    No don’t it’s your dream like I want to be an illustrator (look in my sketchbook and you’ll find BATIM stuff) and I never gave in and you shouldn’t either.

  13. Crystal Gemma says

    June 30, 2019 at 5:23 am

    Never give up!!!!!!!!! Always believe in yourself. You can achieve something when you try again. If you don’t succeed at first, always try again!
    xoxo

    • Anonymous says

      July 2, 2019 at 1:35 am

      true

  14. Anonymous says

    June 30, 2019 at 12:06 am

    Maybe try a different type of art?

    • Shyness says

      July 2, 2019 at 8:42 am

      I’m sure his/her style is amazing!

    • Queen4life1678 says

      July 3, 2019 at 7:25 pm

      No she loves art why would she tey a different type???

  15. Reputation says

    June 29, 2019 at 8:54 pm

    Even famous people have had trouble, but they kept going to be what they are today. Instead of thinking about you failing, think about what you can learn and win other contests later!

    Hope this helps!

    • Queen4life1678 says

      July 3, 2019 at 7:25 pm

      Aww good advice

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