That’s me—a classic extroverted introvert. I can be a social butterfly, engaging in conversations and jumping from person to person in a room, thriving off the energy of a crowd. Yet, at my core, I’m an introvert. Unlike true extroverts, this social performance gradually drains my energy. I love connecting with others, but my social capacity has limits. Eventually, I need to retreat to solitude—not because I dislike people, but because my inner self requires quiet to recharge and feel whole again.

I bring this up because, at a recent art crawl at the 14C residency in Jersey City, I noticed a clear difference among the artists in their open studios. The extroverted artists were high-energy and in-your-face—sometimes to the point of being overwhelming. On the other hand, introverted artists appeared uncomfortable and guarded, which made me empathize with them. This experience deepened my understanding of human behavior.

The takeaway: engaging artists about their work can be challenging. Patience is key, especially considering where they fall on the spectrum. When artists can share their work in a way that feels comfortable both for them and for you, the experience becomes truly amazing.

"The world is full of lonely people afraid to make the first move." - Tony Lip, Green Book