Top Tips for Preserving Your Art and Keepsakes

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It’s been a whirlwind week in the studio! I’ve been busy creating new art totes and getting them listed in my shop. This was no small feat—I designed and uploaded three brand-new totes, which I’ll be showcasing on the blog this coming Tuesday. So if you love interesting art with pops of color, stay tuned for that reveal!

But today I thought I’d answer a question I’m often asked: How do you store watercolor paintings safely? Even if you’re not an artist yourself, you might have special papers, prints, or even keepsakes you’d like to preserve—and my solution works beautifully for all of those, too.

My go-to storage favorite is the Itoya Original Art ProFolio. This week, I treated myself to two new ones for my smaller paintings, and I’m in love with them all over again.

Here’s why: they’re completely acid-free and archivally safe, which means my artwork will stay in beautiful condition for years to come. The covers are PVC-free polypropylene (no off-gassing, no hidden paper damage!), and each page has an acid-free black mounting paper insert that makes my watercolors look gallery-ready even while in storage.

Whether it’s for finished paintings waiting to be framed, prints you’ve collected, or even your own treasured mementos, these portfolios keep everything flat, dust-free, and protected. I also love that they’re designed like a book—so they slide neatly onto a shelf and make it easy to flip through and enjoy the contents without worrying about fingerprints or accidental bends.

For fellow artists, they’re a professional-grade staple. For collectors or memory-keepers, they’re a simple way to protect what you love. Either way, they’re worth every penny in peace of mind.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a bit of your day with me. Wishing you a colorful, joy-filled weekend ahead!

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Creative Journal Layouts with ArtFoamies

This holiday season, I treated myself to ArtFoamies—chunky, foam stamps that offer endless creative possibilities! They work beautifully with acrylics, inks, and more. Since each order is custom-made, it took a little time to arrive, but it was worth the wait!

Browsing their website felt like being a kid in a candy store—so many fun designs! 😂 After much debate, I picked a variety of stamps I can’t wait to share in future projects.

First Creation
For my first journal layout, I used a stunning design by Gina Aherns (@ginabahrens) featuring three elegant women, perfect for my 9×12-inch Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal (photos below!).

I started with handwritten text on the background, softened it with acrylic paint, then added a swirl stencil for extra texture. Stamping with watered-down white acrylic paint got a bit messy (oops!), but I love the perfectly imperfect result! Highlights and shading added dimension, bringing the piece to life.

I finished with a handwritten quote that resonates deeply with me:
“Rejoice in your journey! The good & bad have all shaped your character and given you strength. Rejoice!!!”

This page was a joy to create, and I’m already dreaming up new ways to use these stamps. Now, it’s your turn! What new creative tools or techniques have you tried recently? I’d love to hear all about your favorite discoveries—let’s inspire each other to keep creating magic!

Wishing you a weekend full of inspiration, joy, and creative adventure! 🌟💛

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Unleashing Creativity: Transforming Brushstrokes into Abstract Art

I’ve been practicing brushstrokes in my journal with the new watercolor brushes I recently bought, and I’m amazed at how each one is completely unique. They differ in how much water they hold, their bounce, and how well they maintain their shape. These new brushes are a significant upgrade from my old ones, but they definitely take some getting used to.

Instead of leaving this as a boring practice page I thought it would be more fun to keep the creativity going and turn this into an abstract design. So I used my pens to add lines and dots.

What started as simple brushstroke practice turned into a fun and creative abstract design. Art is all about exploration and finding joy in the unexpected. Have you had similar experiences with your own practice or art projects? I’d love to hear your stories and see your creations. Share your journey in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other.

Thanks for joining me on this creative adventure!

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