Storing Finished Pastel Paintings ...Part 1

'Poppy Dance'        8x10          pastel        ©Karen Margulis
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Storing Pastel paintings are easy....if you have a system!  And I need a system.  I typically paint something everyday so the paintings can pile up.  I have a developed a multi part storage system for my finished paintings. It makes storing and finding the finished work more manageable.

Today I will share the first part of my system.  I call it my monthly clothesline wall.  When I am finished with a painting and by finished I mean I don't know what else to do to it, I add it to my clothesline. This is really just a wire curtain rod that I have hung across a wall of my studio.  I got the curtain hanger at IKEA and it comes with little metal clips.  It is perfect for hanging paintings!

I will continue to hang each daily painting for the entire month. At the end of the month I take them down and decide where they will go next. (part 2)  I love using this system for my most recent paintings of several reasons.

• Having the recent work hanging and in front of you allows you the space and time to evaluate them. I will rarely make changes unless I see something glaring. Otherwise I would just be noodling. Sometimes though the glaring things aren't as obvious until some time has passed.

• Looking at recent work is inspiring. Often I will look at the paintings during the month and they will inspire new ideas or techniques. Many a series has been born this way.

• Looking at the curtain rod getting full as the month goes by gives me a feeling of accomplishment.  If I am not very prolific that month it can spur me on to get going! 

• Looking at a body of work that was created over the month can help me evaluate my progress and direction. Do I see things I want to try? Do I like a certain direction? Are there things I should avoid? What was successful?  It is a good way to give yourself a monthly critique.

I love having my work handy to look at. I learn so much more from having them around for a month than if I were neat and organized and filed them away immediately.  In my next installment of this series I will share what I do with the paintings after I take them down.