Style:

These are people who tend to rely especially on feelings and imagination in their work.  They perceive themselves as expressive, original, intuitive, non-conforming, introspective, independent and having artistic and musical ability (acting, writing, painting, sculpting, etc.).  They find an important mode of communication through the expression of their creative abilities and tend to be idea oriented.  Individuals with this orientation tend to be found in occupations related to music, literature, the fine art, the dramatic arts, advertising, journalism or a wide range of design fields including the design of programs and services as well as other creative forms.

Words:

Creative, emotional, expressive, idealistic, imaginative, impulsive, independent, intuitive, non-conforming, original, spontaneous.

Preferred Work Environment:

Artistic people prefer unstructured, informal, private quiet places where they can work alone or with small group of people involved in a single project where they have considerable latitude for self-expression.  They often work best unsupervised in an environment where they feel a sense of meaning in their work and where processes are more important than results and quality is more critical than quantity.

Interpersonal Style:

While they prefer to use the product of their work to express their feelings and thoughts, the are able to communicate with styles and flair and express their ideas with emotion and strength.  Artistic types prefer to be with people who are also involved in activities involving creative expression and the fashioning of artistic products.

Possible Development Needs:

It may be important for them to develop communication skills that use logic and organization.  They may need to develop planning skills and practice working with others in an environment requiring cooperation.  They may need to give more attention t caring about and respecting the ideas of others.  They may also need t give more attention to details and gather more factual information.

Typical Occupations and Job Titles:

Artistic individuals tend to be found in occupations related to music, literature, the dramatic arts and other creative and self-expressive fields.  Typical job titles include actor, actress, advertising copywriter, architect, art teacher, author, ballet dancer, beautician, broadcaster, chef, cinematographer, commercial artist, film director, fine artist, illustrator, interior decorator, journalist, linguist, medical illustrator, musician, photographer, playwright.

Dear Natasha & Jonathan!

Take a deep breath (or better a hot bath followed by a cocktail) for this is going to be a long story…

This gift is to mark the occasion that we’ve missed all of your important occasions so far such as Christmas, the New Year’s Eve, the 10^th anniversary of you being happily not married, Jonathan’s birthday, Natasha’s graduation, and the new arrival of your cats (I do not remember their names, but these days I am not quite sure I remember mine).

So, we are clear with the purpose of this gift (not that every gift needs a purpose, but this one happens to have one).  As for its combination, it was unwittingly left at my discretion as Natasha refused categorically to give me any hints.  So, if you do not like it, you have a choice of being more cooperative next time or being stuck with my taste (questionable no doubt, as all tastes are).  Maybe we will get you a nice “dust collector” next time (you are going to have a place of your own, after all, and those usually have ample space for storing dust collectors.  Paying mortgage must have some rewards!)

Anyway, they say it is not the gift that counts, but the thought.  So mine went this path…

“The gift will help Natasha and Jonathan set the mood for the party of planning their next trip to see us.  They sit on a couch (they do not pick up the phone and are deaf to the requests from their numerous relatives and friends), relax, have a drink, put some music on, look at some pictures in the photo album and think “remember (Natasha, Jonathan) we have some friends who live in Toronto.  It is not all that far.  We will go visit them.  We know that we are not only invited but also welcome, which is not necessarily mutually exclusive.  Maybe we manage to see them before fall … (see the card)”

Some Q&A to follow:

Q: Oh, but they have a baby… A: We know that having a baby may not be a major attraction especially given your recent loss of a water fountain, but when you come visit us, all the damage can only be done to our place (think about it!)

Q: Oh, but they are on a diet…A: We agree that all that dieting might be off-putting to normal people, but it will be over soon.  Nikolai’s ETA at the “Being Supermodel” destination is end of April, and mine is end of May.  And we know that it will take you at least a couple of months to get ready and come to Toronto.

Q: Oh, but Svetlana cannot cook…  A: My marginal cooking skills should not be an excuse either.  After all, who could prepare a decent dinner, if one has to exclude pea soup, boiled eggs, mayonnaise, store-bought dressings, squash and potatoes?  Only Jonathan with his Chef’s degree.  But do not you worry, we can go out or, maybe, stay in and have some nice fresh cauliflower and a couple of grapefruits (Natasha loves those, I know!)

So, now you have to come.  And maybe this time we will win a game of billiard.

There are only a couple thoughts left (you may now refill your glasses).  The bear baby on the gift bag is not a distasteful hint (“where is yours?”), but simply an oversight on my part, I did not notice it as it was hiding in the folding.  You can consider it (the bear on the bag) a little spy we sent to check if you are trying to get ready for the trip to visit us.

And my English is not perfect, never was, never will be, so please excuse all the pronoun shifting, run-ons, bad spelling, and grammar.  The lack of thoughts clarity is however not language related, but you can excuse it, too, now that you are hopefully in the good mood.

So, please come and see us, both of you, we will be looking forward to it.

Svetlana, Nikolai, and Daniel

2. Communication (yellow). Consult, speak before groups, promote, meeting the public.

3. Leadership/Management (blue).

4. Mental/Analytical (gray). Edit, monitor, manage records.

5. Mental/Creative (pink).

6. Creative Expression (lavender).

7. Physical (green). Operate equipment.

1. Communication: influence, motivate, persuade.

2. Creative Expression: design, food preparation, create images, compose.

3. Physical: use body coordination.

The rest of the skills:

1. Humanitarian. Major: listen, coach, counsel. Secondary: advocate, take care of others. Minor: provide hospitality, train, instruct.

2. Communication. Major: explain, influence/persuade, facilitate groups, motivate. Secondary: interview. Minor: write.

3. Leadership. Major: initiate. Secondary: coordinate, decision-makikng. Minor: plan, mediate, delegate, negotiate, implement, follow through, supervise, organize.

4. Mental/Analytical. Major: solve problems (or opportunities? LOL), observe. Secondary: analyze, research, evaluate. Minor: budget, calculate/compute, categorize.

5. Mental/Creative. Major: use of memory, sythesize, use intuition, visualize, conceptualize, brainstrorm, demostrate foresight, improvise.

6. Creative Expression. Secondary: design, craft-making, food preparation, create images. Minor: compose/author.

7. Physical. Major: use body coordination. Minor: hand dexterity.