NEW YORK, NY.- Travel and artistic creativity are a good fit. Indeed, there’s just something about the sense of freedom travel inspires that is likely to influence your work in a positive way. Regular travel provides artists with numerous subjects and cultural stimuli; living as a free spirit you’ll connect with the world, and its communities in ways you never thought possible. Working as an artist you will find it useful, and stimulating, to engage with the landscape and the people, and to experience the changing seasons in other parts of the world.

That sounds amazing, sign me up!
If all this talk of traveling as an artist has convinced you to find your passport and pack a suitcase with art supplies it’s worth taking note that some planning is needed. While success can, and does come to many artists while they are traveling there’s a great deal of work behind every brushstroke, successful exhibition, and dollar earned. It’s absolutely essential that you conduct your research prior to setting off, and prepare for any and every eventuality.

Where will you travel to, and what would you like to experience while you’re there? Who could you reach out to, and sell to? What opportunities are likely to appear along the way? Sure, becoming a traveling artist will enable you to live with a little more freedom, but you must have a few contingency plans in place if you’re to make something of your work while you’re away.

Five tips for seeing you on your way
Although by no means exhaustive, the following tips should offer a little insight into life as a traveling artist. As we all know art, and success are subjective. The way you tackle life on the road, then, is likely to be as unique as the next artist.

Get organized
Before setting off it’s important to think about the equipment and art supplies you’ll need for your trip. Do you work with oils on canvas, acrylics or watercolor? Will you be able to take materials with you, or do you intend to obtain them at your destination? Consider the supplies that you’ll be able to purchase easily when abroad, and pack as lightly as possible. Now is also a perfect time to think about documentation, including insurance, travel papers, your passport, and currency. Prepare for each leg of your journey, whether that’s from a logistical, or creative perspective.

Choose the right locations
Have you considered how far you’ll travel, or how long you’ll stay in each location? Some traveling artists flit from place to place, while others might reside in one location for a little longer. Think about the things that truly inspire you; only then will the road ahead begin to make sense. Europe houses some of the world’s most famous, and revered works of art. Thailand, meanwhile, is known for its culture’s bold and bright colors and textures, and the sense of freedom that’s afforded to travelers. Toronto, which is perhaps a little closer to home, hosts numerous art festivals and fairs throughout the year, and has numerous galleries.

Manage your finances on the road
If you’ve spent time planning and researching your trip you’ve no doubt thought about how you’ll manage your finances while you’re away; what will you do for money until your artwork begins to sell? While it’s certainly possible to survive on your savings for a limited time it’s always sensible to have financial backup. Have you booked, and paid for your accommodation in advance? Do you have access to an emergency fund should you need to pay for medical care? How will you travel between destinations? Public transport is an obvious choice, but hiring or buying a car might make more sense. Wouldn’t it be nice to go wherever your mood takes you, at a moment’s notice?

If your intention is to stay at one location for several months it is a good idea to purchase a vehicle of your own. Financial assistance from Auto Loan Solutions allows traveling artists in and around Toronto to be able to do that, ensuring they’re able to purchase a car regardless of their credit history.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect, or set yourself up with too many goals that are difficult to meet. Traveling as an artist should be enjoyable, enabling you to discover a whole lot more about who you are as a person while enhancing your creative skills. The chances are your skills will develop as you venture further afield.

Involve the local community, and ask for help
Traveling artists shouldn’t be afraid of asking for assistance, or involving the local community whenever and wherever they can. Could your piece benefit from a little local insight, or the creative talents of the people you’ve met along the way?

An artist’s life on the road isn’t always be easy, but you can bet that your experiences, the landscapes, and the people you come into contact with will inspire and shape your work as the weeks and months progress. What begins as an opportunity to see a little more of the world will become an education; it will be impossible to ignore the many cultural influences that you encounter. Above all, treat your travel as an adventure, and enter into each day without expectation or agenda.