behind the art:
ENNEAGRAM seven
And in case you wanted to study them, and didn't get enough time in the video, here are those sketches!
One fun Easter Egg: The ink technique I use to create these requires that I take photos immediately, and tons of them, to make sure I have enough options for prints. But for this one, for whatever reason, I only took TWO photos. Which just seems to hint at the hurried-ness, and always-moving-on, of Sevens! You can even see a hint of my movement in the top right corner. How fun!
Also, in the video you can hear my daughters' footsteps running around the house. I'm ashamed to admit that I was upset about it, and almost recorded over it. But thankfully I paused, leaned into my Seven integration, and realized -- what a fun "fingerprint"! A child's running footsteps because she can't slow down just yet -- perfect. And so, I left it in!
This seems to be one of the “simplest” paintings by way of landscape variation, but it still speaks multitudes. I had the idea for Seven at the same time as One — my husband is a Seven, after all. I pitched the idea to him and he just sat there, stunned a bit. And when I showed him the finished painting it happened again. He stilled, breathed deep, took it in, and said, “yep.” If you know and love a Seven then maybe you know, like I did in that moment, that his quieted response meant I’d nailed it.
Not every Seven responded this way. In fact, @yourenneagramcoach has an awesome story of showing it to her hairstylist (a Seven) who ended up jumping around “like Tigger” at the sight of it! I LOVE it! Man, I love Sevens!
I wanted this painting to not only be an encouragement to Sevens, but also a reminder — an admonition to look deep, to remember their deep places, and to let those who love them do so too.
Did you guys listen to the @sleepingatlast podcast for Seven? When @chrisheuertz describes Seven’s fears and childhood wounds it reduced me into a ball of tears on the floor. I don’t even know if I cried quite that hard at hearing my own. And it was in that moment that I vowed to remind Sevens of their lovely, beautiful hearts.
I hope this painting does that for you, Sevens. I hope it feels like a reunion hug with a dear friend, one you feared you lost long ago. You’re just so dang beautiful and you bring so much richness to the world.
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A great thing about these paintings is that they can be read and experienced in different ways! So, I’d love to hear from you, Sevens! How does this painting resonate with you, and your journey and process toward health? How do you find yourself in it? What parts hurt to look at and what gives you hope?
If you aren’t a Seven, but love one, how does this painting give you empathy for their path as you walk alongside them?
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Thank you all for being here, and for trusting me as I translated your types.
I'm honored and privileged to do this project with and for humans like you!
Remember, friends, you’re more than fun and sunny, sandy shores— you’re a depth of mystery and beauty and wisdom, and I hope we can explore those depths together.,
Kyra