I keep telling myself I'm a positive person while encouraging my students and other young people to always be positive regarding their artistic talents and abilities. However, positivity can be a cruel taskmaster.

The more artwork I submit to exhibitions, the stronger the chance of being rejected or, as I like to say, ' 'Rejected' is in itself a harsh word, making one feel a failure or not good enough. It's my own fault, I know. I see all the exciting opportunities and can't resist entering work, either my own or by my young artists.

First, it was the Royal Academy's email. Yeah, yeah, I knew what followed.

Then the Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year email said, 'We regret...' OK, OK, I again knew where this was going. It ended with 'We hope you will try again in the future.' To be honest, after trying for the past four years, I think I will pass. After all, I was a wildcard twice, which was great fun.

I have a head full of ideas and a list of exhibitions I would like to submit to, but this is when I become overwhelmed.

I don't want any child to experience these feelings of doubt and unworthiness.

I wait with trepidation for the results of the children's entries to the Royal Academy Young Artists Summer Exhibition and hope with every part of my being that at least one is accepted. I hear myself saying, 'Never mind, we all know you are brilliant. It's their loss, yet I feel their pain.

I'm aware positivity can become toxic. This then forces us to see everything through rose-coloured spectacles and deny our true emotions. Surely feeling disappointed, even angry at a rejection, is more `normal` than putting on a smile and `getting on with it` Should we work through the guilt or sad emotions or dismiss these feelings as wrong or ones to be avoided at all costs? Is being a negative person the complete opposite of a positive person? I don't think it is, unless someone is endlessly negative or endlessly positive. I hate the expressions `glass half full "or" and "but", but they are good definitions of how people see life. There is a grey area between the negative and the positive, and perhaps that is where we should all be. Not looking at everything, everybody or every situation either negatively or positively but with consideration and realism.

It is difficult for me to curb my enthusiasm and excitement for art, and therefore the boundaries sometimes become blurred. Is my enthusiasm turning me into a pushy tutor? Recently a young student felt the need to inform me, via her parent, that she was unsure about entering into an exhibition. This was devastating, and I realised I had to reel myself in. Had my positivity become toxic?

Writing this I can feel my positive energy draining from my body. I will turn the imaginary key in my back and wind myself up; browse the wonderful artwork sent to me from all the children and young people; and take myself up into my happy place, aka my studio, to paint.

The sad news of the Trapezium Gallery in Bradford having to close meant I had to cancel the children's art exhibition; therefore, whilst looking for a new venue, I am running an art competition with prizes to cushion everyone's disappointment.

Rafi 11yrs

Please encourage all young artists age 4yrs to 18yrs to submit their art to my email.
purplegrandma48@gmail.com

Please include name, age, location short bio, title and a clear JPEG image. Any subject but without lettering.

Deadline 5pm June12th
The splendid images today are from young artists around the world and all ages and abilities

Please continue to submit art to my email or via page 10 on Curatorspace online, Children`s and Young People’s Art Opportunities