Introduction
I've always wanted to live on a boat, and I love being near the water. As a child I read books like "Trustee from the Toolroom" by Nevil Shute, I'd often daydream about living in a little floating cabin somewhere off the coast of some distant land—but was it possible? As I recently started painting again, could I now actually live my dream of being an artist while still living on a boat? Of course! It just takes some planning and research and a change of tools. So here are some things that helped me get started:
Space
I'm sure you've heard the saying "the space is the art," but it's still something that can be difficult to wrap your head around when you're living in a tiny cabin with your cat. The first thing I want to do is reassure everyone that if you live on a boat, you will make it work somehow--even if it means sleeping in shifts because there's only one bed and the cat does not like to share!
The second thing I want to say is that small spaces can actually make for better art studios because they force us artists into having more discipline and focus when creating things. When there are no distractions or other things pulling our attention away from what we're trying to do at any given moment, we have no choice but to focus intently on whatever task we've set out before us. This gives us time alone with our thoughts while also allowing us more freedom as creators since there aren't as many rules as there would otherwise be (like having enough room).
Solitude
Solitude is a powerful thing. It helps us to think clearly, work more efficiently and be more productive. It also gives us time to recharge our batteries so that we can come back stronger than before.
One of the biggest challenges for artists is finding solitude when there are usually other people around all the time. But, my small space and an ever changing view (as well as having some good music), solved that for me! If I can ditch the cat then it might even be perfect!
Mother Nature
Living on a boat is a wonderful experience. The weather and the water are always changing, which means you will have plenty of inspiration for your art. You can paint or draw whatever you want!
If you're an artist who enjoys painting landscapes or seascapes, living near the water will be great for your career. You won't have to travel far to get some nice views; just step outside onto your boat deck or pier and start creating!
Living on a boat you can get the peace and quiet you need.
Living on a boat gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, do whatever you want and be whoever you want. It's your own private island, with no one else around. You can choose your own adventure and live how you like. And in my case, you don't even have to actually go anywhere, having the freedom to do so is in itself enough.
Living on a boat does not always mean that there are no neighbours who might complain about noise or smell coming from our home, or that we can play music loud at night if we want to! But those neighbours are more likely to be as eccentric as you are and in my experience tend to be an eclectic mix of misfits, who like me, found a place to fit.
Finally, Tools of the trade
Let's be honest, a big canvas is going to be difficult and I decided to switch from traditional painting tools in favour of digital art tools like photoshop and a XP-PEN DecoPro Stylus, I do have a very good 4K monitor which is essential for working on close up brush strokes but also being able to zoom out and still see the detail. I felt this would be a huge advantage and it has been, I can adjust the size of my brush strokes and zoom in on certain parts to get the detail just right. I also found it easier to paint in layers and then remove any mistakes I made in the process. It did take a while to get used to but now that I've been doing it for a while I feel like my art has only got better. One huge bonus of this method is I don't have to sit around waiting for the paint to dry.
Conclusion
I hope this article has given you some insight into some of the benefits for me living on a boat as an artist . If you're looking for a new place to call home or just as a studio, consider this as a way of life! It's not for everyone, but for me it's been the best decision I've ever made. If you found this article helpful, please leave a comment and share it with your friends!