Personality type and your art?

[Jade]

Since joining this forum and drawing again, being a lifelong overthinker(!) I've been pondering about the kinds of art I / we are drawn to do and why. I'm an introvert and for me, drawing etc is (and was as a kid) a lovely escapism and way to get into the flow state. I also developed fibromyalgia about 5 years ago and whilst I thought I'd like "sketchbook" style drawing now, I find it makes me feel a bit too much pressure, even subtly which I dislike. Whereas taking my time over something slowly (which is not my natural way) feels really good. Anyone else have thoughts like this.. about how you make the art as well as what you're making?

 

[Hermes2020]

Jade, I have been the subject of many Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality tests over the years. No matter what my age was at the time, the results have been remarkably consistent and repeatable. I am invariably assessed to be an INTJ personality type, which means I tend to be analytical and logical in my thought processes. I think that correlates well with my interest in the engineering details of my concrete sculptures. I have provided detailed descriptions of my design processes elsewhere in Creative Spark. Some examples of my workflow:

https://creativespark.art/threads/concrete-bird-feeder-–-update-2023-10-28-making-moulds-for-realistic-parts.6150/

https://creativespark.art/threads/concrete-bird-feeder-part-4-–-making-connections.5956/

https://creativespark.art/threads/my-concrete-sculpture-workflow.1315/

It probably also explains my inability to be free and spontaneous when I paint, which is something I would dearly love to be able to do.

 

[Jade]

How fascinating Hermes2020.. Both your process and you bring an INFJ. I am an INFP in every test I've done so for me, I'm not analytical or logical in that sense but I also believe there's lots of overlaps between these two types. I also imagine myself being free and spontaneous with art, which I can be I think at times but find it interesting that I'm mostly drawn to slow, (kind of as I'm not a very "accurate" person lol) detailed drawing right now. I guess our approaches tally with our types! I think I always liked this as a kid too but the health stuff is calling for it even more so.. a way to slow down and be more present. It's funny how our personality traits colour things.

I can't imagine the patience and accuracy needed to do what you do. thanks for sharing. I'm finding it so interesting...

 

[Hermes2020]

Thank you for your insightful and thoughtful comments, Jade. I sometimes think my overthinking everything is more of a curse than a blessing!

 

[Jade]

And you, Hermes. Oh I hear ya.. absolutely! Me too. I'm now on medication for fibromyalgia (SNRI anti depressants) which is now making that side of things with my mind a bit easier too but yeh.. it's always there to some degree. I do think that as I get older (50 this year) I'm beginning to appreciate the benefits of deep thinking and noticing things that some others might miss .. but it is definitely exhausting at times.

 

[Enyaw]

If I want to participate in learning as an enjoyment it can have no time restrictions. When I add time restrictions I fail to learn what I could have learned if I just put one foot in front of the other and kept going. You get there when you get there. I don't need to learn how to play a song in a day or two or three. I have till I die and if I die before I learn it: so what. I don't care, I'm dead and moved on. When we do it for enjoyment there is one rule: simply enjoy the process, and not the result of the process, though at times the result can help with the enjoyment of participation.

 

[Jade]

Well said, Wayne. Yep, time restrictions definitely don't help enjoyment and just impede getting into the zone, imo. I'm finding it lovely just to do this for the pure fun of it and as you said, it's the journey not the destination (but yes, as I'm finding with drawing, having a few results now and then, does help keep you interested!).

I'm learning I have to be on my own (or with hubby) so I can zone out.. I've tried drawing in cafes and park's recently and it just doesn't suit me having other people around. Nor does moving objects or too much noise. At home, in my own little bubble.

 

[Hermes2020]

My usual mode of working may seem terribly taxing, but I am never happier than when planning details. I have a huge reserve of patience when solving difficult technical problems, so my usual snail's pace does not bother me when I am creating a new sculpture and learning at the same time. Of course, I then get to bore the living daylights out of my fellow Creative Spark members when I log my process.

 

[Jade]

My usual mode of working may seem terribly taxing, but I am never happier than when planning details. I have a huge reserve of patience when solving difficult technical problems, so my usual snail's pace does not bother me when I am creating a new sculpture and learning at the same time. Of course, I then get to bore the living daylights out of my fellow Creative Spark members when I log my process.

I think that's the thing when we work in a way that suits us.. it doesn't feel hard even if other people don't understand. It's great you've found this for yourself I honestly found your process interesting

 

[Jade]

I was thinking over the weekend since posting and also since discovering neurographic art, that I'm drawn to healing kind of things atm, cute animals and soft lines.. cozy vibes.

 

[TK H-H]

Never really had my personality assessed. But I'm definitely very introverted. I don't like being around people in-person.
And we've determined I'm a "naturally grumpy person". My mood is generally either "stable grump" or "excessive grump". I'm also a very high-stress person.

I used to always use my art as either a way to de-stress from life, or as a way to depict the things I actually do see as beautiful in the world. Depending on which of those I'm doing, will affect my subject matter greatly. The former was usually where portraits and surrealism happened (surrealism, because I find I'm far more creative when I'm grumpy). The latter, is where my botanical and insect art typically comes out.

I'm also neurodivergent, which I've now come to realize probably greatly affects my art. I also struggle with sketchbooks. I can't shake the feeling that the sketchbook needs to be "a perfect and presentable object" even though I knew it was strictly for me. I rarely use them now because I just struggled too much. I think that slight perfectionism is why I struggle immensely to loosen up with my art. Sometimes I like the idea of just loosely painting something for the fun of it. But my goodness, is that ever difficult to do!

I also need to be alone to do art. As soon as anyone is nearby, I feel really uncomfortable. I love the idea of drawing outside in a park or somewhere else nice, but I feel too uncomfortable and unfocused. That was a challenge when I took art in school. Most of my work ended up being done at home, and I used my in-class time for general planning. Thankfully my teacher was understanding about it. She'd just ask me to stop at certain stages and bring it in so she could see my general process. The only person I was ever comfortable drawing/painting around was my mother. But, she was a career artist, and also taught me some of my art skills. So I just felt more comfortable. I've still occasionally sent her pictures of WIPs for critiques.

I think my moods affect my medium choice a bit too. When I'm grumpy, I often like charcoal for dramatic contrast. Whereas when I'm more relaxed, I tend to like things like pastels, where I can get bold colors and a wide palette of colors to choose from. And both fit well with the subject matter that tends to fall within those moods.

I think I'm rambling now...

 

[Jade]

That's so interesting TK-HH - thanks for sharing. it's good to know yourself, isn't it? I've never done a formal personality test but online have come out as INFP every time.

It's interesting about loosening up and I was thinking about what Hermes2020 shared too, how their attention to detail is enjoyable. I think theres a stereotypical image of an artist just letting go and letting things happen .. maybe that's true for some but it depends on our personality. And as you said, good art can come even we're grumpy, or at least we can let something out in the process.

Interesting about your neuro divergence and also sketch books. The perfectionism thing is hard. It's good your school adapted to make it work for you and that you could share with your mother in a safe way. Graphite for bad moods and pastels for better moods makes sense.

I seem to mostly like things that feel and look calm and relaxing whatever my mood, I think because of chronic pain, it feels like escapism. I like to tap into my introversion in a way.. my faces and animals feel like my way to be less around people, which I need to do a lot.. if that makes sense. Like you, I'm learning j have to be alone to draw.. it feels too stimulating otherwise even in a quiet place. I get a bit darker in the art journals we talked about sometimes to let stuff out too. I'm only restarting art after about 30 years so will be interesting to see how it unravels.

Interesting stuff !

 

[Hermes2020]

Jade, thank you for starting this fascinating discussion. I believe an artist's personality profile has a huge effect on their work.

I've mentioned that I have been given the Myers-Briggs test a number of times by professional teams, and that I was revealed to be an INTJ every time. On two occasions, in one of which I was part of a 20-person group tested over 5 days, they also evaluated our Johari Window status. The Johari Window is the following set of quadrants:

The test evaluated the disparity between my image of myself and the way others see me, which are the top two quadrants. The results were summarised as a score between 1 and 100: the higher the number, the closer one's perception of oneself is to the way one is perceived by others. One can imagine that some current politicians would probably score very low numbers! Amazingly, they told me I had the highest score (98) they had ever seen, so it seems that I am very well aware of my strengths and weaknesses as perceived by others. I don't know what impact this high self-awareness has on my art, but I guess it must have some effect.

TK-HH, I am also an introvert, so prefer to spend a quiet evening at home, rather than going to a party. However, in my professional career, which involved lecturing to large groups of students and other audiences (in one case with the presence of a Nobel Prize winner), I have had to play the role of an extrovert, which I managed to pull off quite well for many years. I wonder whether this has affected the things I like to make.

 

[Jade]

Hermes2020 - thanks for sharing about the Johari window.. I'd never heard of this, fascinating. I'll look into that some more. From what I experience myself and know of other INFP / INFJ types, we are very self reflective so I think that makes a lot of sense but still, well done on the extremely highest score! Its interesting about the extrovert role you played in your career too. Absolutely might affect your art today. I did some things like that too (not to Nobel Prize winners ) and feel it burned me out somewhat but luckily I have a very introvert friendly job now (coaching students one to one.. deep conversations which feeds my soul ).

I also came across human design a while back. Not everyone's cup of tea but I found a lot of sense in my profile (3/5 splenic manifestor) and the bits about me that I find surprising ( how some people react to me) made a lot more sense. I learnt a lot including about my low energy levels. You can get free tests online. I've also found HSP work by Elaine Aron really helpful.

It's nice to find like minded brains here!

 

[TK H-H]

Funny, I've always been told I'm good at pretending to be an extrovert too, despite being a major introvert.
I also used to periodically speak to large lecture halls, pitch for funding, give tours, etc. for a role I once held. Plus did a lot of customer service when I used to be in management. I seemed to be able to flip some internal switch and become a totally different person in those moments. I feel like I sometimes wasn't entirely aware of it. Just something switched on and took over in those moments.

Yet on a regular day, I get quite grumpy if people are near me or I have to speak to anyone.
I even have an involuntary thing where my arms lock up against my body like it's trying to close up and hide from everyone, if too many people are near me (especially if they brush against me while walking by). Though I assume that's related to being neurodivergent...

I'm hoping for a career path change in the future, towards something a bit more introvert-friendly. Socialization gets overwhelming after a while when it just isn't your thing.

I've always been super reserved too. I usually don't like to let people in on what I'm feeling or thinking. Might be part of why when I do actually put meaning into my art, I keep it immensely subtle. There'll be something there, but highly unlikely anyone would figure it out. But I don't do "meaningful" work much anymore.

 

[Jade]

Interesting to hear more TK-HH. I think a lot of us introverts can surprise people because we can go into extrovert mode when needed at times. I guess it can mean we also don't like being around people too much (me too! ) but introversion is fundamentally about where we get our energy from, if I'm correct in my understanding... Extroverts get energised from being around people, and we don't .. we get it from alone time but it doesn't mean we can't socialise if and when we want to.

I guess also with being autistic, masking? Yeh, I think an introvert friendly job makes a difference as it's usually a fair bit of time each week that we spend in a job, isn't it? I'm quite open generally but realise as I get older there's only one or two people I really let in that I trust. I don't think being guarded is a bad thing necessarily. I think like you, I don't explicitly express stuff in my art or if I do, I know the meaning but not others... but art is therapeutic in itself too.

 

[Artyczar]

I wish I had come to this conversation earlier, but I've not been on the forum or even online in a number of weeks. I had a significant death in my family, and I haven't been able to get back to life.

I wanted to mention that I underwent extensive Briggs-Meyers testing in my 30s. It was for possible job placement if I wanted to do something other than art and music. It was shortly after I had to quit music because I got ill. Most of the jobs were in science and research, which really appealed to me, but it would have required schooling, and that seemed like a million miles away.

Anyway, I am an INFJ. Years later, I took the test again (not as exhaustive), but I scored the same again. I think it's such an interesting evaluation of personality types, it's almost creepy.

I also didn't know I was autistic until the last year or so. Made a lot of sense. I can't be in an environment with a lot of noise or people, i.e., restaurants, movie theaters, protests, amusement parks, even classrooms, freak me out. I've had mental breakdowns from standing in a line before.

Don't like to toot my own horn, but I know I'm pretty self-aware. I hear that from people all the time. I've also heard "I think you're psychic" before, but I don't believe in that kind of thing, yet many people think I am.

Here's what's funny/interesting about waning extrovertism. I have performed countless times as a musician. I had to play in places with tons of people (always hated that part), but my point is how stage-frightened I always was. This manifested as narcolepsy, or something a lot like it. I would fall asleep right before a show. I'd be fine during the performance and usually did a great job, but after it was all over, I would get shaky and nervous, looking back in my mind at how it all went down, and experience anxiety and paranoia about whether I had done a good enough job. That's the perfectionist problem, I guess.

I think I've grown a lot since all that. I'm not as much of a perfectionist as I used to be.

 

[Jade]

Lovely to see you again, Ayin but I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you're doing ok.

You saying your an INFJ makes a lot of sense after my interactions with you so far! I'm an INFP. It is creepy how accurate it is imo.

I'm not autistic but am very sensitive to noise too. the HSP work of Elaine Aron has a lot of crossovers too I feel. I think for sensitive types we pick up on so much that others might not, so things like noise, lights, chatter can feel really amplified. Has being diagnosed helped?

Well done on doing the performances though! Crikey I'd never get to that stage lol.

 

[Hermes2020]

I am really enjoying this thread. Perhaps being an INTJ explains my tendency to over analyse everything. I did a search on the differences between my INTJ and INFJ and INFJ personality types. This is a summary:

INFJs and INTJs both use Introverted Intuition (Ni) as their dominant function, but they differ in their auxiliary functions: INFJs use Extraverted Feeling (Fe), focusing on the emotional needs of others, while INTJs use Extraverted Thinking (Te), prioritizing logic and efficiency in decision-making. This leads INFJs to be more people-oriented and empathetic, whereas INTJs tend to be more objective and pragmatic.

INFPs are more focused on emotions and creativity, while INTJs prioritize logic and strategic thinking. These differences influence their communication styles, decision-making processes, and approaches to conflict resolution.

Interesting that conflict resolution is mentioned. I have found that the best way to handle conflict is to run away.

 

[Jade]

Really interesting Hermes. It does seem to fit you well from what you've shared here. The logic and precision. Yes, I agree as an INFP I'm more focussed on emotions and creativity.

You made me chuckle ..
"Interesting that conflict resolution is mentioned. I have found that the best way to handle conflict is to run away."

Me too lol though I'm learning to stay with it and stand my ground when necessary (I don't think naturally what an INFP does). I actually just wrote something about handling a tricky situation on my drawing practice thread too.

Ps I over analyse everything too!