Travel is a goldmine for anyone who needs to create, be it entrepreneurs, software engineers, or artists. It spices up production, shakes up our thinking, and gives the seeds for masterpieces. Traveling doesn't have to mean going far away: any trip to a place that's unfamiliar counts, even if it's just down the road.
Let's look at some reasons why an artist or anyone should travel the world!
To fill the inner well
According to Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist's Way, creative people draw upon an inner well to create. When an artist feels she has nothing more to say, it is because the well is empty. To continue to create, we must consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them. Travelling will not only help in this area, but help so much more than you know.
To find Inspiration
Inspiration hits you like a lightning bolt, often when you are at a new place or experience something new. Travelling is a great way to find inspiration!
To find new perspectives
The object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land – G.K. Chesterton has said it best. Art helps us see the ordinary in an extraordinary way. Travelling helps you by providing new context to compare to your everyday life. It helps you see your own world with new eyes!
To Loosen up!
All of us at times get into ruts, when we continue to follow the same routine, day in and day out. We need change and it is the same for an artist. Take a weekend off or, better yet, a month in a new place—it is sure to give you a new perspective and a fresh approach to your work!
When you are on the road and still need to make a living, here are some tips to help you promote your work while travelling:
- Exhibit – Have a website and share your art online, so wherever you are in the world, you can find a suitable local setting to display your creations. Also, work with an online platform so that your art is available to all.
- Inspire others – Share your art, host workshops, be flexible and open to suggestions, collaborate with other artists, and allow your travel experiences and different cultures to be integrated into what you create.
- Document art – When travelling, use a good quality camera and a laptop so that your work can be stored. Take some hard disks to back up your work.
Stepping outdoors is always good for your physical and mental wellbeing. As artists, travel opens doors and avenues for creativity to blossom.
– Manesha Pieris
