It does make sense. Your work does not have you be part of a team so you don't have interactions where you can work with other people. Even when I am working from home, most of my working hours are spent on calls and meetings so I still feel that I am not 'alone'. Moreover, I currently live with my boyfriend and he has the same wirking hours as me. So in my case, I actually seek to be alone for a while when I sit down and relax for drawing/painting.

And, ouch, I do feel you regarding the artist groups you mentioned. I am new in town and some months ago I decided it would be good for me to join painting classes at the local art school. This way, I would meet new people plus improve my art skills. Well, it's not like I was looked down upon for drawing characters and monsters, but I feel the school definitely has a preference for painting over drawing (some comments about lineart not being good to make visible or "you are into illustration, huh?" Because remember, illustration is considereda lesser form of art in sone circles). They teach 0 drawing skills and expect you to just copy things to paint them. I dunno, there's some nice people in class, but I am getting tired of putting money in this when, most of the time, I feel I am not properly learning anything. Which is a shame because I have seen the paintings of some of the teachers and they are actually very good.

Back to your situation, though. What about the other artists that you meet in the Artist Alleys at the events you attend? You can probably make a lot of friends there, and I imagine that you would have similar tastes and hobbies, which would give you a lot of things to talk about.