Storing Your Artwork
Bless those artists with a large studio space with the superb lighting, lots of room for huge canvases, a couple of easels, work tables, and archival-art-gallery-level humidity-free storage space for all the artwork they create. I don't know about you, but I'm NOT that lucky to have that kind of space, hence I need to come up with some creative ways to store artwork until it sells.
Where to Store Your Artwork
Many artists have an extra room in their home that they convert to an art studio, which is fine, you work with what you have. The art studio room could be an extra bedroom or bonus room, and the closet might be where the 'art storage' is. Very often in studio images, you see artwork lined up and leaning against a walls and a path through the canvases. I keep picturing myself accidentally kicking in the canvas as I walk by or tripping over them. (Makes me wonder how often that happens.)
The actual storage of all those finished canvases does need to be addressed at some point.
Unless your basement is totally finished and has a consistent temperature and NO humidity, do not store your artwork in a basement (too damp) or in an attic (too hot). And think Gizmo here, no bright lights. Stay away from sunlight, direct sun, and fluctuating temperatures. Artwork needs to be in a moderate and consistent climate.
Another option for artwork storage is to pay for a climate-controlled self-storage unit; depending on where you live and budget of course.
How to Store Various Types of Artwork
Videos on Storing Your Artwork
What You Might Need:
- Clean Cloth/Material, Storage Blankets, and/or felt
- Cardboard Corners
- Use All Acid Free Materials: Glassine Paper, Acid-free Paper
- Crystal Clear Bags, Archival Safe, Acid-free (lots of sizes)
- Bubble Wrap (acid-free paper FIRST) with bubbles facing OUT
- Frame Boxes that the frame came in, store artwork upright with acid-free paper on the front.
- Portfolios
- Archival Storage Boxes, Clamshell Boxes
- Crescent Board, Conservation Mat Board, but be careful if using regular Cardboard or Foam Sheets for padding
- Paint rack(s), art storage system by Art Boards Archival Art Storage Supply, a Canvas Storage Cabinet
Some Do's and Some Don'ts
Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, VA on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.
Thank you for the great info. I’m still trying to figure out my storage system. This will help.
ReplyDeleteGood! I'm working hard on mine too. Please look for the upcoming post on "Save Your Art Work!" too. Another very important storage idea.
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