MBTI types and Artistic expression

[grobyc82]

I was wondering if there's some kind of connection between art and mbti types. The specific types of art that I had in mind were sketching, painting, sculpting and music. Im sort of new to the mbti system, so I was wondering if anyone could give me imput on the correlation between the two. Anybody thats involved in any of the above areas are more then welcome to give their ideas. Any thoughts?

[Eileen]

I was wondering if there's some kind of connection between art and mbti types. The specific types of art that I had in mind were sketching, painting, sculpting and music. Im sort of new to the mbti system, so I was wondering if anyone could give me imput on the correlation between the two. Anybody thats involved in any of the above areas are more then welcome to give their ideas. Any thoughts?

According to Keirsey, SPs tend to be the "artisans". There's probably a correlation there, but there's also plenty of deviations.

[timathonia]

I was wondering if there's some kind of connection between art and mbti types. The specific types of art that I had in mind were sketching, painting, sculpting and music. Im sort of new to the mbti system, so I was wondering if anyone could give me imput on the correlation between the two. Anybody thats involved in any of the above areas are more then welcome to give their ideas. Any thoughts?

Well, as someone who finds an addictive interest in this whole thing, yet retaining what I hope can be considered a healthy nugget of skepticism, and as one who, on the free online tests comes up INTP probably 90% of the time - the others being INFP, INTJ, and occasional ISTP...

I can say that I love to sit and draw sort of abstract meaningless stuff - it is a pleasure to me on a personal level and I would not likely allow anyone else to see it, or if they did see it, I would make sure they understood I did not consider the work or my talent as anything near gallery worthy. But I still love to do it.
Painting - same thing - I don't paint, but if I had canvas and paints and no one was around, I think I could spend a lot of time in that world. But I could not ever foresee allowing myself to say I was a real painter or artist.
Never had much interest in sculpting.

Music, however... this has been my primary love for the majority of my life.
I have performed my songs in public and the reactions have been split between disaster and total control.
According to others and taking into account my own perspective, my strength is more in the composition of chords and notes and sometimes lyrics, as opposed to virtuosity (guitar), but I really admire great guitar players. Sometimes I declare that I will really buckle down and practice more - but that doesn't last very long. Hence, I understand more technique than I can execute. I wish the case was otherwise.
My most current obsession is working with a home eight-track studio, which I am using to record music ideas and I can't see ever becoming tired or bored with doing this anytime soon... and, really, as I heard someone say, it is kind of like painting - except with sounds.
Sorry, didn't mean to ramble on so... early morning here, the cat woke me up...
Don't know if this means anything to you.
For what it's worth...

[jread]

I have absolutely no interest or appreciation for art. I don't understand why people are into it.

[Johnny]

My most current obsession is working with a home eight-track studio, which I am using to record music ideas and I can't see ever becoming tired or bored with doing this anytime soon... and, really, as I heard someone say, it is kind of like painting - except with sounds..

I considered myself very lucky to have gotten to work with a guitarist a few years ago with the same interest. It was always a blast to have him come in with a new song and for me to struggle to find my place in it.

[deus ex machina]

Well, as someone who finds an addictive interest in this whole thing, yet retaining what I hope can be considered a healthy nugget of skepticism, and as one who, on the free online tests comes up INTP probably 90% of the time - the others being INFP, INTJ, and occasional ISTP...

I can say that I love to sit and draw sort of abstract meaningless stuff - it is a pleasure to me on a personal level and I would not likely allow anyone else to see it, or if they did see it, I would make sure they understood I did not consider the work or my talent as anything near gallery worthy. But I still love to do it.
Painting - same thing - I don't paint, but if I had canvas and paints and no one was around, I think I could spend a lot of time in that world. But I could not ever foresee allowing myself to say I was a real painter or artist.
Never had much interest in sculpting.

Music, however... this has been my primary love for the majority of my life.
I have performed my songs in public and the reactions have been split between disaster and total control.
According to others and taking into account my own perspective, my strength is more in the composition of chords and notes and sometimes lyrics, as opposed to virtuosity (guitar), but I really admire great guitar players. Sometimes I declare that I will really buckle down and practice more - but that doesn't last very long. Hence, I understand more technique than I can execute. I wish the case was otherwise.
My most current obsession is working with a home eight-track studio, which I am using to record music ideas and I can't see ever becoming tired or bored with doing this anytime soon... and, really, as I heard someone say, it is kind of like painting - except with sounds.
Sorry, didn't mean to ramble on so... early morning here, the cat woke me up...
Don't know if this means anything to you.
For what it's worth...


I used to get the same types of critic out of performance. I really think my strong point is composition. With my guitar/voice material I feel (and the few I allow to listen) I am strongest. Improvisation is also something I am very good at. My technique has expanded greatly in the past couple of years. This has to do with a journal I have kept, and a structured practice routine with long term and short term goals. I still have to force myself to practice sometimes, but in general I find I can get lost in doing something extremely repetive, like sequencing scales, if I just keep pushing myself to play faster and cleaner. The trick, I have found, is to consciously focus on every individual note in relation to every other note, rather than spacing out and letting my mind ponder how the neural networks operate that allow me to play on point while I have the actual playing on automatic.

Also, I have about 10,000 worth of music gear, and a full room devoted towards music. I can't ever see myself getting bored in life now that I have all of this. All of my life is devoted to music at this point and I have become a social recluse. I am happier than ever and I find I can escape the external world in this room and spend my life perfecting myself threw sound. The possibilities for expression are unlimited, and as such out of all the systems I can play in I have found music to be the most rewarding and creative. I have been into music in one way or another my whole life, and I still wake up everyday - ears wide open - ready to enter my world and create auditory order.

As for type, I generally test I(50) N (50) T (5) P (5), but the past couple of times have been INFP. Although I suppose my approach to making music nowadays has become very INTJ.

In response to the question posed, I entirely disagree with the SP description as being the composer, or the type best suited for art. I believe and NP type could do the best creativity wise, but in general I think an INTJ's rational and structured approach to whatever domain catches their interest has produced the most balanced creative/technical works.

[timathonia]

I also wonder if artistic expression or interest has little to do with any given type, but some people are more driven to take it upon themselves to hang their work for the world's edification. Maybe others keep their work more to themselves or are more hesistant to expose it to others because they always see their own flaws better than many others may.

Just a thought... *shrug shoulders*

[abathur]

I don't know that there's as strong of a tendency towards art and against it among certain types as people expect. Maybe at this base interest level there's a strong correlation, but IMO art is really about who you are, in a sense. I, for example, see a lot of who I am, personally and as an INTP come out in my writing.

I think a key to art is variety of voice, perspective and approach. While there are definitely types more likely to approach something in a new way, the product of this is almost inevitably an extension of the artist. Art would probably be rather tired by now if it was really heavily populated by certain personality types. I doubt among those actually producing some decent art there's a serious deviation from the population at large.

[KuJo]

I found out this year im pretty good with clay. But i put actual learning ahead of art, which is why i have only taken one art class in high school, ceramics being my first one. My art is a lot better than most of the kids in my class, and i enjoy making art. yet, i have little to no appreciation for it. Its fun, but really just kind of useless. unless i could make money off of it.

[last_caress]

I found out this year im pretty good with clay. But i put actual learning ahead of art, which is why i have only taken one art class in high school, ceramics being my first one. My art is a lot better than most of the kids in my class, and i enjoy making art. yet, i have little to no appreciation for it. Its fun, but really just kind of useless. unless i could make money off of it.

Much to my surprise I did learn a lot of useful techniques in school. Of course I slept through art history which was mostly rote memorization of names and dates of pieces.
I'm not super super into looking at art.
Music is what really moves me, but I still do enjoy making a good piece of visual art on occasion.

Drawing was always easy for me since I have been doing it ever since I could hold a crayon, but sculpture and painting were more of a challenge.
I won't be particularly sorry if I never sculpt anything again. I don't like getting my hands dirty, however I have started painting again.
I like watercolors too, but I'm going with acrylic this time since I don't have the patience to wait for oil to dry.

[Stillwater]

Much to my surprise I did learn a lot of useful techniques in school. Of course I slept through art history which was mostly rote memorization of names and dates of pieces.
I'm not super super into looking at art.
Music is what really moves me, but I still do enjoy making a good piece of visual art on occasion.

Drawing was always easy for me since I have been doing it ever since I could hold a crayon, but sculpture and painting were more of a challenge.
I won't be particularly sorry if I never sculpt anything again. I don't like getting my hands dirty, however I have started painting again.
I like watercolors too, but I'm going with acrylic this time since I don't have the patience to wait for oil to dry.


I see alot of myself in that. Kinda freaky. Not sure if thats INTP related. I grew up in a family of artists- music and visual.

I have a strong interest in music and visual art, but I had a hard time in college level courses in art history and music appreciation. I just couldn't seem to be able to analyze art or music in a way that satisfied my profs. Language failed me when trying to describe such things.

For myself, visual art is mostly about creating; music is mostly about listening. I am always drawing and sketching, sometimes I'll get out the acrylics and paint (gave up oil and watercolor for same reasons as LC). I also get a big kick out of photography- even more so with digital. I look at the visual work of others with only passing interest- if it didn't come from within, I often can't relate to it, can't 'feel' it.

Music is a different story, almost reversed. I deeply feel music when performed by others. The music I create myself is mostly short riffs on a keyboard- maybe a couple dozen notes, which I'm satisfied to play over and over. Keyboard synths are a blast- the different instrument sounds inspire variations in playing. I've never composed or learned an entire song, which means I only play for myself. I have put together songs on a looping program (ACID), lots of fun, instant gratification.

[earwax]

I'm a songwriter/musician myself. Songwriting is almost schizophrenic in that you write alone, but then go out and perform live. And they are two entirely different ballgames.

One of my best friends (also INTP) is an artist (painter) and from our discussions, we seem to go through a lot of the same creative processes. Except that painting doesn't have the live performance aspect to it. (Duh!)

[last_caress]

I'm a songwriter/musician myself. Songwriting is almost schizophrenic in that you write alone, but then go out and perform live. And they are two entirely different ballgames.

One of my best friends (also INTP) is an artist (painter) and from our discussions, we seem to go through a lot of the same creative processes. Except that painting doesn't have the live performance aspect to it. (Duh!)

Yeah. I've played in a few bands and I really prefer the composition part almost exclusively. Although there is a definite nervous rush to playing live that is hard to get any other way.
I usually chugged about 4 beers before going on to take the edge off.

I didn't like the group aspect of a band either. I'd rather just do everything myself, which in fact now I do.
Praise jebus for computers.

[Burble]

I am talented at drawing, painting, sculpture, and music. What can I say, I've been blessed! I almost have my Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts, but I don't know what to do with myself besides get lost and reinvent myself!

Drawing is very natural to me; painting is exhuasting and requires lots of critical thought. Sculpting is a nice challenge & I have good visual-spacial skills. But music...the one thing I have no formal training in, is the most inspiring of all to me, while the rhythmic motion suits my trembling hands.

Like the INTP description, I get a good start on many projects but fail to finish them, neglect to commit to them, and take satisfaction in the fact that I'm very well capable of doing them well. That shit's gotta end soon while I buckle down for my senior exhibition...

[Burble]

I kinda wish I had more equipment to make songs without a band...then again, I kinda hate computers. Still, it would be nice to have a couple of mics and some software. I made a kick-ass reggae song in "cakewalk" for an assignment once; still have the file but can't listen to it:(

[Stillwater]

So as far as MBTI goes, do you think that artistically inclined INTP's are more balanced on the Thinky-Feely axis?

(I'm glad for computers, too. It has opened doors for a new breed of creatives-especially in music composition.)

[Snowflake]

So as far as MBTI goes, do you think that artistically inclined INTP's are more balanced on the Thinky-Feely axis?
T and F has nothing to do with how creative a person is, so I would find it unlikely that an INTP who is artistic is more balanced than those who aren't.

[last_caress]

I come out pretty close to the middle there FWIW.

[earwax]

Yeah. I've played in a few bands and I really prefer the composition part almost exclusively. Although there is a definite nervous rush to playing live that is hard to get any other way.
I usually chugged about 4 beers before going on to take the edge off.

I didn't like the group aspect of a band either. I'd rather just do everything myself, which in fact now I do.
Praise jebus for computers.
The group aspect of a band can be very difficult. Finding people who share common or compatible visions is almost impossible.

The best luck I have had on the performance side has been as a sideman for another singer/songwriter. Knowing that the crowd is paying attention to her frees me up to play my guitar and (hopefully) augment the song without drawing too much attention to myself. Not to mention, the stage is an ideal place to do some great people watching from.