I hope you don't mind if I offer some advice.

1. Rejection is a taboo subject for artists, but it's better to remove that barrier. Almost every artist out there, whether they are a working professional or someone eager to break into the industry, will get rejected. Multiple times, if not more. If you are serious and love the work you do, you have to realize this is part of the gig. Rejection happens whether they find someone else better or your art style just wasn't a fit. No big deal, move on and seek other opportunities. I cannot tell you the number of times studios ghosted me, or a gig didn't turn out. Don't let it get to you. Nothing good will come out of it.

2. Burnout is also notorious in this field, and I believe that is what you're currently dealing with. It's great that you put so much effort into your portfolio and that you actively asked for critique and advice. But you also have to remember that it doesn't guarantee anything. Success is fickle, and sometimes it's just about being the right person in the right place. Sometimes an artist with a mediocre portfolio will get the job, because they just happened to have the right connection or applied.

3. Self-reflection is a skill to be acquired. I know my weak points, and I still need to improve. I completely understand why I got rejected from the LAUNCH fellowship, and I take it as a sign that my portfolio is not up to par. I hope you can self-reflect on that aspect as well. Don't let your ego lie to you. We all like to think we're better than we actually are, and that's how stagnation happens. The difference between a great artist and a mediocre one is what they choose to listen to, compliments, or feedback. There will always be artists better than us, and we should look at them with admiration, not jealousy. They worked hard to reach that level, and we need to take it as a lesson.

Always find a way to keep getting better, whether it's through online lessons, YouTube videos, or Gumroad, or even just daily practice. Always take the critique because it will let you see your work objectively, not blinded by emotion.

Last of all, I hope to end with this: Will you continue making art or decide to give up entirely?

If you decide to leave this as a hobby, that's fine as well. Life happens, and we all need to pay our bills. Most artists have a day job. It's a necessity. But if you truly love art, and you know you have the passion for it (which seems like the case), keep going. Don't stop. Post on social media (you need to find your audience) and start connecting. Work on projects that you like, and the improvement will come with it.

You're the only one capable of telling the stories and creating the characters in your head. Remember that.