Painting, the loneliest profession?

[Julie Deane]

I don't know if this topic applies to artists who work full-time at other jobs. Certainly the social aspect of that makes the time alone in the studio all the more sweet.

For me personally, I like being around people at least part of the day. But when it is studio time, I don't want to be interrupted, which might happen in a shared space.

[Karin Wells]

Originally Posted by Julie Deane

I don't know if this topic applies to artists who work full-time at other jobs.

I'm sure it does. After working all day, does one look forward to going home and working alone? For some, I suppose, it might be hard if their full-time work is solitary. For others it might be a relief to be alone.

[Tom Edgerton]

I'm generally extroverted, but I can spend a LOT of time in the studio and like it just fine.

My wife has an office on the other end of the house from my studio. Some days we meet in the middle for lunch, others we don't see each other all day. I can't hear her at all if I don't go down there, and vice versa. Some days I do everything but paint, sending out portfolios and answering correspondence, returning calls, etc., so when I get a day that's uninterrupted painting time, I relish it.

If I really get stir crazy, I'll meet a friend for lunch, or go to the post office, but that feeling is relatively rare. So I guess I'm one who really likes the isolation. I've always thought painting was a conversation with oneself, so I think there's always two in the studio--the guy who knows some things, and the guy who wants to know all the rest and can't get there fast enough.

I know this sounds twisted, but there it is.

[Michele Rushworth]

I've always thought painting was a conversation with oneself, so I think there's always two in the studio--the guy who knows some things, and the guy who wants to know all the rest and can't get there fast enough.

Makes perfect sense to me!