As an artist, how do you keep from isolating yourself?

[Kristen Wilson]

As an artist, how do you keep from isolating yourself?

[Dan Fisher]

If I'm working on my art then it's not a problem. But I can't work all the time so I often try anything or depend on dumb luck which has never failed me.

[Noel Hoffmann]

I think my biggest problem is that I become obsessed. When I'm in the middle of a painting or nearing completion of a painting I can hardly drag myself away. I begrudge anything that drags me away (except my dog). I even hate going to the grocery store. It's like an addiction. I've learned never to put anything on the stove or in the oven unless I'm in the house. I even brought a kitchen timer and an alarm clock into the studio to let me know when the rice was done. They both went off and I still burned the rice! It just takes a second and I've been sucked back in. Hours can go by and it seems like minutes. My husband sometimes has to come out to the studio and turn out the light to make me stop. I think I covet isolation.... so I can be alone with my obsession. Anyone else the same?

[Dan Fisher]

Yup.

Noel Hoffmann said:

I think my biggest problem is that I become obsessed. When I'm in the middle of a painting or nearing completion of a painting I can hardly drag myself away. I begrudge anything that drags me away (except my dog). I even hate going to the grocery store. It's like an addiction. I've learned never to put anything on the stove or in the oven unless I'm in the house. I even brought a kitchen timer and an alarm clock into the studio to let me know when the rice was done. They both went off and I still burned the rice! It just takes a second and I've been sucked back in. Hours can go by and it seems like minutes. My husband sometimes has to come out to the studio and turn out the light to make me stop. I think I covet isolation.... so I can be alone with my obsession. Anyone else the same?

[Irene Cole]

I'm coming from this at a totally different angle. As a mother of two teenagers, 5 pets and a husband, I'm rarely ever alone, but...when I find myself talking to the dog too much, I know I need to get out. I crave more time to be alone with my art. I'm alone with the bills, the house cleaning, the grocery shopping, the errands, would love time for more art.