Opening New Doors

As one door closes, so another one opens. According to the quote anyway. I must admit though, as I closed the door to my studio for the last time, I saw no new doors opening. In fact, I felt somewhat dejected and rather a failure at giving up my creative space. But I have enough life experience to know that while you may feel sadness, it’s best to get up, and get on. Indeed, the full quote, suggests:

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” (Alexander Graham Bell)

Still, as I handed the keys in and left the building I wasn’t expecting any new doors to open particularly quickly.

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However, within a couple of days, not one, but three doors had opened. At the very least, this was a boost to my confidence. It might even bring forth new opportunities.

The first door, was that of the Contemporary Art Gallery Online, whose strapline is “Showcasing Tomorrow’s Art Giants Today”. I entered my image, ‘Busker’, into an international all animals competition. To my astonishment, the piece was one of the winners. Fifth place in the photography and digital art category, which means I have a nice certificate. But more exciting is that I qualify as an artist member of the Contemporary Art Gallery, and can now display my portfolio on their artist site.

The second door opened soon afterwards. Daisie, an online collective of creatives, selected my image as one of their top five for the weekend challenge. Set up by Maisie Williams, of Game of Thrones fame, Daisie has over 100,000 members. They didn’t all enter the weekend challenge, but being in the top 5 among some truly inspiring artists was a big confidence boost. Sometimes, just a small boost, is enough to put the extra spring in one’s step. The combined effect of both successes, was to raise my eyes to the horizon once more. 

The third door was acceptance to another international organisation, The Art of Compassion Project. Having first come across the project in 2017, I had hoped to be accepted to the ranks of artists ever since. Started in 2015, the project aims to support the compassionate lifestyle of veganism by donating 100% of proceeds from various art projects to non-profit vegan organisations. The project is supported by 190 artists from 28 countries. They advertised recently for new members to apply for membership. I applied, submitted some of my work, and had a reply within a day. I was in! This is particularly exciting to me as it not only recognises my work as an artist, but supports a cause which is very important to me. 

So, a door closed. But new doors have opened. And feeling reenergised, I am taking the opportunities which they offer, with excitement and with gratitude.