Tuesday 16 November 2010

Incognito


I remember a friend telling me once that they had a persona for work which was quite different from the one they showed outside of it. A bit like stepping on stage and acting a part, they would become this other person - the confident, no-mess manager who got things done - but underneath they were just a vulnerable person needing a hug as much as the rest of us.

Writing about Take That yesterday reminded me too of how incongrous it seems that someone like Robbie Williams who can step out on stage in front of 100,000 people and command the audience, conducting them in the palm of his hand, can ever suffer with stage fright - which is what he openly confesses. Do some people need that alter ego? Is it part of their soul?

Am I like this too? Am I incognito some of the time? I'm not sure anymore. I know for sure that I shine most when I'm allowed to be 'just me', but then when you think about it we all have these different aspects to our personality, we bend and adapt according to situation. Take this morning - I didn't like being 'strict mother' when my son wouldn't get out of bed and get dressed for school but it was for his own good that I became her.

Then there's the bits we hide - our vulnerability. Sometimes we get so good at this, that we forget it's even there...

This post is turning into a load of old useless waffle and opens up enough questions to fill a psycholdogy doctorate, so I'll just quit while I'm (possibly not) ahead and stick it out there. The artwork was inspired by this piece for Inspiration Avenue's Incognito challenge - so I blame Sharon for all this introspection! I'm also taking an Art Journaling class this week, so took my words to the page - unfortunately they got a little smudged, despite testing the pen's colour fastness first!

Flicking through magazines looking for a nudge, I was reminded of some of the biggest chameleons out there - the models.

"It's Tuesday darling, so it must be Madrid... Who will I be today?"

25 comments:

  1. love this post! yes, i too feel like a different person at different times. i feel best when i'm creative and silly...must be who i really am.

    it's tuesday darling! xo

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  2. I think you are absolutely right...when I was teaching we always used to say we had to be good at acting (especially if you felt like rubbish inside). Being a parent is similar, of course.

    But who'd be a model, eh....well, not me, obviously :-)

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  3. Fantastic piece! Love reading your writing too!

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  4. Love your journal page,especially her eyes.Very cool.

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  5. Great post!!! I love the artwork too, so very creative!
    Thanks so much for your visit and I enjoyed reading this post VERY much! So much to think about!

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  6. Oh yes! It is Tuesday so it must be Madrid! Love it and your post.

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  7. Great art journal page, it really caught my attention and made me want to read your post.

    Thinking about what you wrote I have to say that we all have those, for different rolls in our lives, it's natural I think. Of course, like you, I am more comfortable with the plain version of me, but so few people really know who she is.

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  8. Love your journal page and your post. I think we all have personas at times.

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  9. I am unfamiliar with this...inspiration avenue so while I wear my "Oh so not incognito" Mom Barracuda outfit, I will be writing while I wait... on this very subject.

    Love reading your stuff...

    To read my AEDM check in today, click here.

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  10. I love your take on Incognito. And I have found I am most myself on the internet. Not so much when I go out and about. Love the thought you put into this post and this week's challenge, dear.

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  11. oh this is wonderful Lisa!!!! lovely work!!!

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  12. This is a great collage and a brilliant and touching post.
    I think that all or at least most of us...have way down inside an wicked little voice that keeps whispering "you're just not good enough". So we try and hide all the parts we deem not perfect.
    Bravo to you Lisa for speaking your truth!

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  13. my dear friend... ayyaaayy!
    this is good
    hugs to you!

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  14. I can totally relate. Up until recently I was in a job in which I was a totally different person at work than in reality. Not a happy place to be. But taking on different roles can also be a good thing, like occasionally being the strict mother (I don't have children and can't really relate, but I can imagine) when necessary. Love your collage. Makes me want to play around with images from magazines.

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  15. I think I might need one of those performance personalities...might come in useful. and yes i did watch that documenary and even their show on x factor... on catchup. actually my husband wanted to watch it... its a universal thing I think!

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  16. Fabulous art work!!!
    Love your words as well!!!
    I know sometimes when I wake up I feel like dressing a certain way....gypsy, artist, city girl, haute couture, miss priss!
    Usually I mrs. sweat pants!!!

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  17. great post and collage!

    As an introvert, I definitely have an incognito side to me that occasionally comes out in social situations. I also used to love to perform on stage despite being shy and quiet in real life. Go figure! I don't even think it's incognito all the time. Sometimes, it's jut another side.

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  18. This collage is awesome. I would love to make one. what a great idea. We all do have our own personal sides, too. I like my creative side when I am doing what I love...being just, ME!
    xxoo
    btw, this was a great post!

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  19. The art work is great and the words give me lots to ponder while I decide just who I will be today :-)

    Darla

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  21. What a perfect entry for "Incognito" and I really enjoyed your accompanying post. Very insightefull! And yes, models are a perfect example of never really revealing themselves....

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  22. Fascinating post and your submission reflects your words perfectly!

    Raises some very interesting questions - is personality fixed or fluid? Is there such a thing as the "real" me? Is there an element of dishonesty when we assume different roles in different areas of our lives and with different people?

    Lisa I adore your art - it always makes me think, feel or reflect on something new! x

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  23. I love your piece. I completely relate to the work persona. I have thought about that many times being a manager and boss. How do I seem to my staff and how do I relate to my manager.. As a mom I love to watch my children grow and see who they become as a person. A very intriguing piece.

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  24. fabulous take on the prompt - well captured

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  25. I love your post and image you made for the challenge. I acted so much at work I lost who I was, so I left work and decided to create art! Now I can be whom ever I want & be happy with me~ Theresa

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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