Are creative people intimidating?

Looking at Art:

In a recent article in the New York Times, a study was discussed which indicated that “although we praise innovation, we harbor an aversion to it.” When employers review applicants for a job, they are less likely to employ creative thinkers. I was shocked at the premise of the article and the study’s conclusion, however, after thinking about it for a bit, I was not really surprised. I have encountered people who react with uncertainty when they find out I am an artist. When I was preparing for my first independent one-person exhibition, my own mother, who had always encouraged me in art, asked me, “Betty, why are you doing this?” Have you experienced anything like this as an artist or as someone interacting with a creative person?

 Work in the studio:

The image shown here was a study in color. I was playing around with an unconventional way to approach a self-portrait. 

Double Self-Portrait, Watercolor, 5” x 7”