I think I'm going to have to get tougher, and that's all there is to it. 

Yesterday, while crunching on that very tight deadline I wrote about last time, with uncanny timing a new neighbor dropped by unannounced.  And while it was nice to take a little break and chat, sometimes I  have a hard time taking control of the conversation and saying, "Sorry, but you'll have to leave now.  I'm working.  Maybe we can get together another day instead?"  Well, it was after-hours; at a time most people are relaxing in front of the TV before calling it a night, and I had just completed one project and had to move onto the next one.  And my new neighbor, expecting I was like "normal" people and available at that time of the evening to socialize, wasn't picking up on my hints that I really couldn't visit.  Finally, I had to just stand up and say I had to get to bed because I had a big day today.  He did eventually leave (at about 11:30 pm), but kept trying to keep the conversation going just a wee bit longer while he dragged himself slowly to the door!  Sometimes well-meaning friends who don't understand what artists do, not to mention the necessary "alone time" needed to build up the creative energy pool, think they are doing me a favor to interrupt my work (that they don't view as work because I'm at home in my studio and it looks like too much fun to be work) and get me out of "hermit-mode."  Indeed, they give me a break, but unfortunately it breaks my concentration, scatters the energy and then once they leave I have a hard time refocusing!  So, yeah.  I'm going to have to get tougher!  Going to have to insist that they not interrupt (except for a true emergency!) and that they call ahead of time to check with me and see if I'm working or not.  These folks mean well, and they really are nice people who I enjoy being with.  But I cringe when I see some of their cars pull up in my driveway unannounced! 

Okay, enough griping!  I'd better go now since I still have more work to do and there's no cars pulling up in my driveway just now!! 

Have a lovely day!      Karen

MEMBERS COMMENTS VIEWING 1 - 3 OUT OF 3 COMMENTS From: jetcri 02/20/2008 12:34:49 Oh,Girl you are going to have to paint a sign and put it on your door. Artist at work, enter at your own risk. From: klwade 02/19/2008 22:14:50 Ha!  You're so right!!  Many folks are just plain miserable in their jobs, whereas we are so blessed to be able to do what we love!  Ergo, it must not be work.  And anyone who can actually make a living/profit in this profession has to work hard, no?  In the immortal words of John Lennon (or was that George Harrison?  I get those 2 mixed up, having never been a big Beatles fan):  It don't come easy... Well, going to sign off for tonite.  Y'all have a good evening, sleep tight, don't let the bed-bugs bite! Karen   From: flstormz 02/19/2008 21:33:12 "You're not working, you're just painting...."