Storing Artwork - Tips For Artists

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[@eilmlilm2490]

What I have done, is put screw hooks on the ceiling, screw eyes on the back of painting, and hang from ceiling like ceiling tiles and you have a colorful ceiling. Repairing the holes on ceiling is not difficult . A bit out there, but it works for me with limited space.

[@yopestevens1505]

Great idea, I have always wanted to do this! But my art is all on unframed paper and I have a "popcorn" ceiling. I'm afraid the paper will get all warped if I use only thumbtacks, so I haven't found a cheap enough solution yet. I finally have enough "spare" art to do it!

[@thehappypotter9612]

I recently saw a photo in a magazine of a restaurant that have not only the walls but also the ceiling covered in framed artworks

[@robyn9513]

You 2 are hilarious!😂 I enjoy watching these videos very much.Lol!!!

[@yourfantasy9218]

Very organized 👏🏽

[@delmusphelps]

Rafi and Klee. Ola and greetings from Virginia. I absolutely love your videos and they are uplifting and entertaining. Thank you! It gets pretty hot here too. My storage shed exceeds triple digits and it softens the varnish to make works tacky. I use a sheet of parchment paper in between canvases. You only need a strip (that you fold) and insert where the edge contacts the work behind it. Leave the folded edge on top to keep in place. Nothing sticks to parchment. Even burnt up chocolate chip cookies. You are awesome!

[@CJShopland_Art]

If only I had a dust free air controlled room to store the art! What’s the best way to keep dust off? I don’t varnish all because I find it takes away from my paintings but I’ll varnish the ones it enhances. Dust is my worse fear. Paints are light fast and the more expensive UV resistant. So not worried about light. I find plastic or even the glassine acid free paper can stick and peel paint off. I have some in drawers, some on the walls, and I guess those owning the art can use a clean dry brush to get the dust off if they wish. Although I’m amazed my artwork don’t seem to have attracted any dust, long as at a vertical angle, they seem fine. Would love to see an updated video on this when you’re not busy with the exhibition, life all on halt until after that. Amazing to see videos on adventure channel of that process despite all the busy. Is it good practice to wrap or put paintings in a box to not collect dust ? :) or those on walls are there ways to protect, clean or dust the papers? Generally I just dust the rest of the environment and leave them.

[@Northfornow]

Rafi, thank you for the glimpse into your process!

[@jlgordon96]

This is neat to see as an artist and collector. After some research and experience (limited as it may be) and ive learned that if you’re going to store paintings still on the stretcher bars then you should store them front to front, back to back. Hope that helps!

[@BohoJouelSandraMBelz]

I use large sheets of transparency paper to separate my acrylic paintings. That seems to help keep them from sticking to each other. Also, you guys are amazing!!

[@Rafiwashere]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@stampinturtles]

Doing a craft show tomorrow. Excited and busy painting. Lol. Love your videos! I hope to be storing my paintings on peoples walls after tomorrow. 😉

[@Rafiwashere]

YES!!!

[@sandorbarics2187]

artist must store their artworks until the end of their life.... so long term storage is a must. :-)

[@OneAcreInTheSun]

Most of my art is framed under glass. When I pack up to go to sales I was damaging the frames just stacking them. I took cardboard and covered with a bubble wrap and made dividers to put between and they are doing much better.

[@bill61570]

just love you guys

[@ernestocanas8330]

Awesome vid! A piece of parchment paper in between each piece has prevented sticking for me . Not to mention it is a very cheap to buy a large roll at any supermarket. Thank you for all the information!

[@joycemaureroriginal8563]

I was about to say the same! Even with ones leaning against a wall and each other, I can put a piece along the top where they may touch, move it and replace it as needed.

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

It makes a difference if you have varnish on your paintings. They don't stick at all if not varnished, but I varnish all my work and so I have a problem with storage. I either just put some paper in between or the foam wrap stuff is good too.

[@yopestevens1505]

I was wondering why I have no problem with sticking - it's because I don't use varnish! A little bit of paint rub-off due to too much handling is far preferable to sticking problems. If I (or my customer) want to see what it will look like with varnish, I can just wet it down with water. I do keep them out of the light, tho.

[@hearthstorytelling4971]

This is awesome! Just what I needed to hear. I was stopping myself from arting because I was afraid I was going to get the storeage part wrong. I feel liberated! Thanks so much!

[@cuecard5453]

I had my husband build a ledge in our vaulted ceiling living room. It only takes up two feet, but has a huge impact on our storage issues in a "tiny" house. We live in 550 square feet, the entire upstairs (another 500 square feet, is my studio area!)

[@AlessandroZir]

omg, you are nice fellows!! I liked you;

[@herezdeb]

Thanks for the advice!

[@claudinediamond2555]

I started painting on watercolor paper and matting it and then putting them in plastic. All standard size pieces. I store them upright between two pieces of furniture for now.

[@matthewszostek1819]

Old paint was also super organic and homemade

[@chrisdal4051]

Your studio is larger than my whole appartment

[@jaedo71]

I put up a big piece of black felt on the wall that is the background for taking pictures of my paintings. And I have lights I shine on the pictures. Snooogins!

[@jennyhughes4474]

Thank you for this - and I like seeing some of the art around your place. But some of us haven't got air-conditioning or heating (or can't afford to run them - easier to pay bills when there are 2 of you), I haven't got these luxuries here in south of France in this awful rented flat (boiler broken, no air-con) and the temperature varies between 6C (42.8F) in winter to 33C (91.4F) in summer, plus water comes in sometimes (roof & under front door) - some of my canvases have warped and other art wrecked, so sad. I agree, you said it well: I prefer my art to be bought and on other people's walls!

[@jennyhughes4474]

​@@Rafiwashere I muddle on the best I can - I'm not very clever since my brain got damaged - I never knew what it was like to not be able to think, understand, move, see or do things properly - now I do and it sucks! Thank you for all you both do and for making the world more beautiful with your creations.

[@victoriastewart-meyers]

Ahh storage... I’m still in school working on my BA and was told not to sell or get rid of any art because I’ll need it for my senior year. But I live in a tiny RV. I don’t want to put it in my storage unit, which is already cram packed, because this is Arkansas and humidity is a killer. So I’ve been keeping it at my daughters house, but she has moved a couple times. She’s 21! She has roommates. God knows what happens, you know. I’ve had one important charcoal piece ruined there because it was standing on the floor and her cat liked to rub across it...

[@AussieVikingSwede]

Thank you for sharing your ideas with us. It's always cool to see what other people do and I always learn something from your videos.

[@patchofheavenhomestead8793]

Hi, Rafi. Please keep your awesome videos coming! What are your thoughts on finding a niche and painting the same thing forever to make money, and how do you figure out who your target market is? (if you're pretty much just selling and showing online only)

[@sandycheek110]

Thank you so much for sharing your artful knowledge! I watched four of your KZbin videos yesterday. I’m just starting out and it’s a little overwhelming trying to figure out the whole tent/wall panels thing; storage, etc. Your info has helped and you both made me laugh along the way. Very clever!!!

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

Oh gee storage.............. I’m like never gonna have enough of it 😂😂😂 Yes I’m like you two, I store where I can I use folders for my paper art with plastic wallets Your studio looks amazing 😍 I don’t feel so bad now I’ve seen you do the same as me and put your art all over your house , 😍👍 Oh my goodness’s, kids....... ice cream.......... it’s brown paper bag time for me *hyperventilates*

[@sylviapineda6717]

thanks for information, i ran out of space- just stopped- palm springs, ca- i am not alone-

[@steviesmith5161]

i love her!!!! you guys are hilarious

[@NickLMears]

Acrylic can survive cold and hot. I lived in a non-insulated attic once.

[@pja123pja]

Just a thought and just curious. Plastic can trap moisture because it's not porous and doesn't breathe, so moving it from a cool environment to a warm environment, or vise versa, may create humidity inside the plastic. As long as there are controlled Temps with no sudden changes it should be ok. Have you ever experienced this when moving a plastic wrapped painting from your studio to your car, or from your air conditioned car to an outdoor exhibition?

[@sarahhammond2517]

Hi Rafi and Klee! Love your channel! I have one question... How do you safely transport stretched canvas artwork to events like markets and art shows? I appreciate any tips you have 🙏🙏🙏

[@Rafiwashere]

Heavy duty storage bins that I can fit a bunch of 18X24 in. I wrap each one in a clear plastic bag that I wrap it up in if I sell. Anything bigger, I just stack in my car and hope for the best lol. We did so many shows, that I had to make it easy and not get too precious about it.

[@sarahhammond2517]

@@Rafiwashere Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate you sharing your successes and fortunate accidents; it's really helped me work through my startup process 💚

[@sarahhammond2517]

@@Rafiwashere Where do you get your plastic bags from. I'm struggling with finding larger sizes?

[@bananarama3905]

One of the most handy tips I have come across is to use wax paper between or on top of your pieces. The wax paper can be reused over and over, but of course this is only practical for small pieces.

[@alaysiakayebutler6299]

i just love you two's houooose, lol

[@SheryllMonique]

I have always enjoyed creating art and I would like to pursue it as a career. What does it mean to create a body of work? I have heard you should do that before you try to start selling anything. Also, do I have to stick to one type of art like watercolors or mixed media collage or can I do whatever moves me. I have ADHD so my interests go back and forth. Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond. Just this video alone helped because I know I can at least start without fear of proper storage.

[@Rafiwashere]

Creating a body of work, just means you create a bunch of art that you feel represents you. I however recommend you just get started where you are with what you have. The body of work will come as you do that.

[@soihaveasihave5970]

This is cosmic fate. I was just pressuring myself to figure out how to store my paintings. Though i don't think i had a good look at those plastic bags in the video. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@romelmadray6706]

Can ordinary tracing paper be used instead of glasine paper and what about Acid free Archival Tissue Paper? This is for works of graphite, pastel, coloured pencil or charcoal

[@billspaintings4018]

Rafi, For the paintings leaning in the hallway you can use 4 mil plastic. You can buy rolls of it at Home Depot or and building supply store. Just cut it a little longer and wider than the canvas. Tape the top edge to the back then flip over to cover the front. Then you can lean them on each other and they won't stick. I can't tell you how many pieces I've damaged leaning them on each other. A damaged painting isn't worth anything until you paint over it :)

[@willowsmood3707]

I'm from Canada, love the "house" joke, eh!

[@jawhitaker09]

We are getting ready to fulltime RV and painting storage is def a concern. If u mentioned where u got the bags...I missed it. Dou have an Amazon store for your fave products? Thanks for video!!!

[@k.ande.southworth9197]

Why don't you create some storage/drying racks (slide in slots sized for your frames) up near the ceiling along the outer walls, partially mounted to ceiling rafters/supports?

[@umuulan.nanaman]

I recently posted about making commissions, i was bombarded with message, now i have 3 commissions to make and i canceled the rest cuz of school... NOW I GITTA PACKAGE IT

[@merryme931]

Could you put some wax or parchment paper between the paintings stacked on one another?

[@romelmadrayart]

Any recommendations on storage of finished prints, using oil based inks as the medium and acid free paper as the substrate?

[@katherinehankinskelley9139]

Not related to the subject, I've still got some wall space. But, how do you market your work and where do you sell it?

[@Rafiwashere]

Everywhere and all the time

[@johngronning465]

Thank you! How about an excel spreadsheet with the names and price. You could even have a column of who purchased the work and there contact information. If you do not name it you can use the jpg number from the photo in the same folder. Just my random idea. My storage consists of mouse traps and bounce drier sheets. We have mice in the shop and all sorts of other insects. The majority of the shop is not temperature controlled but it is a very large space and I have been given a small corner of. I think that I will be doing an excel sheet with images in the same folder. I also still have to take pictures and post to Pinterest. I should do that this week. Or procrastinate some more. Thank you for all that you do. John

[@evaseltzer1893]

Superb video. Seriously enjoyed you both and resonated with your humor and ways of being. Thank you so. Found you on Instagram just now, i'm @fevawest.ra greatly appreciated because i'm going out to buy some large transparent garbage bags. wouldn't have thought about that...btw, transparent i believe is the way to go. cheers to painting and creativity in general, Eva

[@davemampel]

Did you say you got your bags from U Line? or where? Thanks so much!!!! great vid!!

[@insertwittyprofilenamehere]

I've been storing my paintings on a shelf in my closet, and my ceramic work goes on a large plastic shelf set in the spare bedroom, but unfortunately both spots are becoming crowded. It's tough because I have a garage with tons of storage space, but it's not a finished garage, it's grubby all the time, and critters get in there and chew things up. Not a good environment for my art.

[@Kyriehubbard]

Can you do a video on gesso?! What is it, how to use it. Also, prepping a canvas?!

[@Kyriehubbard]

Rafi Was Here Studios Ya I dont need anymore steps that are a pain in the ass LOL. Ive already got too much going on and Id rather spend the time making my pictures. TY for the reply!!! Very much appreciated!!!

[@markcaselius5993]

Yeah, I kinda use the scatter shot approach. I have a wife who quilts so available space is at a premium around here. LOL! :)

[@NineMind9]

Have you ever varnished the back of your canvas? Like the part of canvas that's stapled?

[@vilcheswork8021]

Guys you’re awesome. You’re a great couple :) talking about varnish... do you know a way to remove varnish from an acrylic painting without damaging the paint? I did a pretty bad job with varnishing my favorite painting and I would love to save it. :D thanks guys

[@vilcheswork8021]

Rafi Was Here Studios thank you. At the end I didn’t use sandpaper but nail polish remover and it worked just well. Thank you for telling me not to remove all the varnish, I didn’t think about that before. :) so we saved the painting. love you guys

[@WbwbWbwb-xf3eo]

What is the name of the that case you store your paper artwork in?

[@leonardcain]

Curious if you think when shipping acrylic paintings if the smooth side of freezer wrap paper could be a good protection next to cardboard boxing? Txz!

[@leonardcain]

@@Rafiwashere Txz so much!

[@sherrylhenning5630]

small stuff goes in freezer weight ziplok type bags.

[@nosferaturosa]

Hello! I have one question. The plastic doesn't stick to the acrylic paintings?

[@InjiArtistry]

Doesn't the plastic stick to the paint?

[@elvitaatencio]

I am amateur at painting. I paint with acrylics and had never heard of adding varnish to the finished product. What is the best product to use, especially when you are afraid to ruin the painting ? Would spray be a good idea ? What product do you recommend ?

[@elvitaatencio]

Rafi Was Here Studios In using spray, what kind ? How ? Thks for your response.

[@elvitaatencio]

Rafi Was Here Studios Thks for your answer, so, just spraying the paintings would be enough to protect them ?

[@elvitaatencio]

Can you recommend a spray brand ?

[@rebeccas.murphy.]

I've been just been hanging most of my art in picture frames. I use colored pencils as my medium of choice so I have found many places to stick them. Lately though I've been running out of wall space so now i put them in art folders. I'm just not sure what to do with them all lol.

[@rebeccas.murphy.]

facebook.com/rebecca.murphy.50767 just the featured pictures. Everything else is just game pictures and pictures that people tag me in. Lol.

[@tedoymisojos]

@@Rafiwashere I'm glad you asked. I love checking out peoples work randomly like this

[@debbieventimiglia2216]

When I store mine, I use sheets of wax paper between them

[@ambs_arts5620]

I store mines all over my room, my rooms small af

[@jaedo71]

Do you frame your paintings yourself?

[@Preservestlandry]

Where do you put yourselves? There's no more room for people! Lol :)

[@PourYourArtOut]

every.wall.in.my.house.

[@notendopodcast]

I just store all of mine in apple boxes. I am not concerned with what happens to them 200 years from now.

[@neelsnprayer]

I'm hoping and praying you see this post, I don't know how else to contact you. Where and how do I attach my business card to a painting if a restaurant is going to hang it? Do I dangle it off some string from the bottom? LOL help! Someone anyone!

[@neelsnprayer]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@jaedo71]

I am buying Robert burridge's color wheel! Check out his videos on here.

[@alaysiakayebutler6299]

joseph doyen, very good!! i hope to budget myself one soon, i like his format and variation on the color hues.. love his work

[@rmgalardo]

Are you guys Buddhist? Just saw the prayer flags up on the wall and wondered :)

[@larryiscreating]

At the 9:19 mark, "On today's episode of Art Wars!" Lol🤣 instagram.com/larryhillcreative

[@yopestevens1505]

Ha ha, your Wall of Fame is more organized than your entire studio. And what does that say to you?

[@Rafiwashere]

Hmmm, my studio is very organized and it is constantly evolving.. that's a weird and hurtful assumption to make. Not like I'm polishing my frames, reorganizing, and staring at them, they basically go up on a wall and stay there.

[@Rafiwashere]

Of course, I could be having a sensitive day where comments hurt a little more than usual and I have taken this completely out of context.

[@yopestevens1505]

@@Rafiwashere Yes, let's go with the second of your replies, I know what working studios look like on the best of days. I meant no harm, just being cheeky (ha ha still means joking, I think?). It's great that you take pride in your accomplishments. Anyways, thanks for taking a second look to your own reply :)