Big 5 lessons from traveling full-time as a solopreneur

Running an art business while traveling full time is an absolute trip – figuratively and actually. I was on the road for over two years while operating A Cup of Cloudy as a solo entrepreneur, and I learned a few lessons with my traveling business that will be helpful for all artists.

When I quit my day job, I focused on increasing revenue AND cutting expenses drastically. For us that meant selling all our belongings, leaving our rental house, and moving into a tiny home. My husband and our two dogs lived in a travel trailer and then transitioned into hotel-hopping in the second year. We saw so much of the United States, traveling purely for desire, at some points following art festivals, and then following a travel job my husband got. Afterward, we stayed on my parents’ couch for 7 months while we saved to buy a home – which is where we are now. It’s a beautiful 1.6 acre farmhouse that we’re so proud of.

The life lessons I learned on that traveling business journey could fill an entire book. But here are a few that apply directly to you on your art journey.

1. Anything is an art studio

We lived in the 32foot travel trailer for a long time. Our bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, closets, and dining area all fit into those 32feet. That included the art studio.

What that actually looked like was me stuffing all my art supplies in a drawer under the dining table. When I was sketching, I sat at the table. Same for painting, photoshopping, running the online business side of things, writing this blog, and more. Oh yeah, and eating dinner. That table was the one and only workspace.

It taught me that anything could be an art studio. As long as you’re willing to prioritize art in that space, it’s the art space.

When I needed a photoshoot for product photography, I created one with white wrapping paper and my kitchen counter. Large and single-purpose? No. But the results came out high quality as if it was.

A lot of artists utilize strange spaces to get their work done. Plein air painters set up on a hillside or by a lake somewhere, bringing everything they need with them to some remote and beautiful place. Muralists make a studio out of a city wall and the ground that runs up to it, setting all their waterproof paints and scaffolding next to their giant surface. Sculptors take clay straight from the ground and bring it into their garages to mold into special shapes. Any place can be a creative space.

Having a tiny, multi-use spot in the camper taught me a lot about using the space you already have. So if you’ve been wanting a “real” professional art studio, don’t wait!

You can claim any spot, corner or table as your new studio.

2. Limitations create style

Space was one limitation. And because I was limited on space, I became more limited in material and medium.

I had to cut back on any unnecessary medium because I didn’t have the space to store any extras. Only the favorites, best, and functional art items could stay.

I also couldn’t use materials that took up too much space. As you can imagine, a drawer under the dining table doesn’t offer square footage or a kiln or a sewing machine.

Thankfully I was already heavily committed to watercolor and digital as my go-to mixed media combination. Both of those fit neatly into that drawer.

My Arches watercolor pad and my tablet could fit into a tote bag and I could take my workspace to local coffee shops and diners. That was helpful when I was staying in the middle of nowhere with no cell service.

Your limitations help create your style like that.

I didn’t have the option to veer off into other mediums even if I wanted to. The same could be said about a limitation around money: I didn’t have the funds to buy an embroidery machine. Or a limitation around connections: I didn’t know anyone who could get me an apprenticeship at a tattoo shop.

What limitations do you have that are actually steering you into your current art style?

3. Your muse is everywhere with a traveling business

I thought most of my nature-themed art was inspired by my home state, Michigan. It seemed that way because I would paint broad-leafed branches and lake scenes and local animals. Then we hit the road in 2021. We traveled all over the US, and I realized my inspiration was never exclusive to the great lake state.

Suddenly I was enamored by the rust colored desert dirt, road runners, the expansive grass fields of Oklahoma, mossy bearded trees of Georgia and more. Every new state became another muse.

It taught me that my nature-themed art wasn’t only inspired by one little area of earth.

Just like how my poetry inspired art isn’t only inspired by one experience or theme. And how my spiritual based work says a lot more than “as within, so without.”

What’s your main muse?

How can you branch out and get inspired by something new?

Worth noting is the fact that although I was INSPIRED by new things, the aesthetic I was putting out didn’t drastically change. The subject matter maybe did a little. But the look, feel, and message remained constant. This isn’t a call to ditch your art style.

But finding a fresh muse can motivate you to produce more and feel excited about your art again. And you won’t deflate if you detach from your current favorite muse.

4. Artists can and do thrive in small towns

Coming from a bigger city (Detroit), I never had problems meeting fellow creatives, finding work, or getting into art shows. There were plenty of opportunities — enough to go around. I knew that not every artist community was so lucky to be filled to the brim.

I had heard of other artists complaining that they couldn’t find vending spots near them, not enough galleries or art friends to be found. These artists were usually in smaller towns in rural America.

But after getting deep into the traveling business, living in tiny towns all over and quickly finding art gigs — even with hardly knowing anyone and only being there two weeks — it made me wonder if those artists just weren’t resourceful.

I learned that artists can thrive in small, less populated places.

First of all, we have the INTERNET! Meaning you can build an audience from absolutely anywhere in the world and monetize that audience with your art. No gallery, gift shop, or friends necessary.

But even besides that. I’m not the most successful with online marketing. I use in-person outlets mostly. And small towns have plenty to offer, if you’re resourceful.

After meeting fellow artists in these obscure locations, and seeing that they were doing just fine, I became convinced.

Artists are currently thriving in every crack and crevice of the world. Your location is never an excuse!

5. Managing a business is easier when you’re stationed in one place

This applies MOSTLY to product-based businesses, which A Cup of Cloudy is. Downloadable products like The Complete Guide to Your First Art Show, which is an ebook, was equally easy to deliver because now it’s automated. Courses like Elements of Art Style are also easy to manage because it’s purely online.

But the product arm of my business was difficult to manage. Shipping out products to anywhere was pretty simple, because the post office operates all over the US. But receiving materials, designed products, and mail was difficult at times because we were changing locations so often. Receiving mail was easily the worst part of having a traveling business.

If you want to know more about this part of traveling business (if you plan to travel full time with your art business it’ll save you a ton of headache) read the blog post on it here.

Managing your art business is also easier when you’re committed to one location because you can store excess products and bigger paintings somewhere. While traveling I had to do a lot of pre-sale promotions and only produce as many items as were immediately sold. I didn’t have the space to hold onto excess stock for later. This also meant the art shows I did on the road were a little slimmer — I might have made more sales had I brought more merchandise.

From road-based to home base

Ever since I took on the opportunity at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, I knew I couldn’t move forward with that from the road.

Accepting the offer to start up a seasonal brick-and-mortar meant I’d need more than 32feet of space. I’d need room for fabric storage, a commercial sewing machine, and more. I would have more belongings than what I could fit in the back of a pickup.

It was more than a business decision; it was also a lifestyle decision.

Life on the road taught me more than I could ever describe in one blog post.

In November 2023 I quit the traveling business part and started to grow roots in Michigan (again). The Renaissance Festival has offered me faster business growth and deep community building. I have a new hometown now that I’m learning the ins and outs of.

We bought a house in November 2023 after years traveling full time. Being a homeowner surely is coming with its own set of lessons!