Bouncing back from the big drain of 2010...

After many long discussions with multiple artist friends I have realized how taxing negative people can be to me and therefore my artwork. I'm exceptionally sensitive and put a lot of energy out in my relationships, job(s), and artwork. My frustration stems from the fact that I don't receive back half the energy I give out. Whether intentional or unintentional certain relationships in the past year have really left me drained. My work ethic for studio time has been slim to none as has my creativity. The big shift in priorities came one month ago when I found out my grandma was in hospice. Two weeks later she passed away. She was a tremendous person and amazing artist. In losing her I feel that I need to get back to what is important and not let outside forces affect my creativity. In fact I feel best when I'm making artwork. In the past three days I have put my energy towards the positive and in that small span of time I have a new gallery that will be carrying my work and I think I might get into a show that is very important to me. If that took only three days, can you imagine what will happen by the end of summer? I'll keep you posted...

One Percent.

I was encouraged by a friend to take a personality test this weekend. I have always known I was an introverted personality. This friend was in the 1-6% of the population. I then find out another friend is as well. Then I take the test and guess what? Yep. I'm in the same group. I feel somewhat comforted to know we have all found each other. Apparently I have the most rare personality type which I think explains why I experience so much conflict both internally and externally.

INFJ: "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality. 1% of the total population. These are serious students and workers who really want to contribute. They are private and easily hurt. They make good spouses, but tend to be physically reserved. People often think they are psychic. They make good therapists, general practitioners, ministers, and so on.

"INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic and creative, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare of all the types." 

creative, smart, focus on fantasy more than reality, attracted to sad things, fears doing the wrong thing, observer, avoidant, fears drawing attention to self, anxious, cautious, somewhat easily frightened, easily offended, private, easily hurt, socially uncomfortable, emotionally moody, does not like to be looked at, fearful, perfectionist, can sabotage self, can be wounded at the core, values solitude, guarded, does not like crowds, organized, second guesses self, more likely to support marijuana legalization, focuses on peoples hidden motives, prone to crying, not competitive, prone to feelings of loneliness, not spontaneous, prone to sadness, longs for a stabilizing relationship, fears rejection in relationships, frequently worried, can feel victimized, prone to intimidation, lower energy, strict with self 

favored careers: psychotherapist, artist, art curator, bookstore owner, freelance writer, poet, teacher (art, drama, english), library assistant, professor of english, painter, novelist, book editor, copywriter, philosopher, environmentalist, bookseller, museum curator, opera singer, magazine editor, archivist, music therapist, screenwriter, film director, creative director, librarian, social services worker, art historian, sign language interpreter, photo journalist, makeup artist, photo journalist, homemaker

disfavored careers: airline pilot, race car driver, businessman, information technology consultant, executive, administrator, supervisor, bartender, lab technician, restaurant owner, strategist, ceo, bar owner, marketing specialist, business consultant