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
Framed artwork tends to be a bit easier to protect, as the frame itself is a bit of space or "padding" between the surface of the art and its cover. It does take up more space though. Ensure ALL artwork has fully cured before wrapping/storing.
Use any of the following for framed artwork: Cardboard corners, storage blanket, taped, pad the front and back, shrink wrap as long as it doesn't touch the art surface at all. Group artwork by size.
Framed Canvases Acrylics - never framed under glass
Framed Canvases Oils - never framed under glass
Framed Watercolor (under glass), Pastels Oil or Chalk (under glass), Charcoals, Colored Pencils (under glass. Ink Drawings (under UV protected glass)
Unframed Canvases Acrylics - acid-free paper, pad the front and back
Unframed Canvases Oils
Unframed Watercolor, Pastels, Charcoals, Pencils, etc. - an archival box or portfolio
Videos on Storing Your Artwork
I'm always looking for how other people conquer the art challenges of a small, cramped space, for storing art - maybe you do too. Check out these videos.
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
Do wash off the Cheeto dust. Wear gloves even better.
Do NOT use plastic wrap for storing art, you could end up with moldy paintings.
DO archive your inventory before you store it, just-in-case.
Avoid those concrete floors and walls! Much too damp! Keep artwork OFF the floor.
Do NOT stack your artwork on top of each other. Store paintings upright, not on top of each other.Be aware of anything leaning into a painting that could potentially further stretch, your stretched canvas. That is why similar sized canvases should be grouped together.
And finally, even when you have stored your artwork correctly, periodically (every few months) do check on it to ensure all is well.
For more information:
I would LOVE to hear your recommendations and ideas for art storage too? What can I learn from you?
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
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