Searching for fine art paper than can hold up to paint or gel media without warping?

SEE HOW WE SUPPLIED THIS VIRGINIA ARTIST WITH THE BEST OPTION “BY FAR.”

Rendering Reverence

Virginia artist Chris Brazelton's creativity flows from a transcendent source: his deep Christian faith. Where others find inspiration in nature or travel, Chris turns to prayer and Scripture, bringing biblical narratives to life. His digital artworks depict a joyful Jesus in vivid scenes: tending sheep, walking through sunny fields, or sharing laughter with children.

Chris blends modern technology with traditional craftsmanship. Using Adobe software and Topaz Gigapixel, he enhances each piece for clarity and detail. For an extra touch, he offers hand-embellished pieces with layers of acrylic paint and gel media, adding unique dimensionality to each artwork.

Enter Red River Paper

To support this extra adornment, Chris uses our Aurora Art Natural 300 Fine Art Photo Paper. 
“I need a high-quality paper that will hold up to paint and gel media without warping or staining while also bringing out the best in my art,” Chris tells us. “The warm white color, subtle texture, and robust cardstock thickness make better prints than anything else I’ve used — by far!”

Made of 100% cotton fiber with no optical brighteners, Aurora Art Natural 300 is ideal when you want to display prints for a long time. Chris says he appreciates the array of sizes that free him from having to trim the paper to fit into common frame sizes.

See More of Chris’s Work

Discover Chris's inspired creations at PaintedGospel.com, featuring themed collections for holiday seasons, including a new Fall 2024 lineup. Delve into the stories behind each piece on his blog. Find his "star seller" rated artwork on Etsy, and for recurring doses of digital devotion, follow Chris's latest works on Instagram.

Enjoy our Q&A with Chris Brazelton...

What year was your business founded and how did you get started?
Although but I have been making and selling art since 2018, I founded The Painted Gospel in 2023 to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through art. I wanted to use my art to glorify God more intentionally.

Tell us a little about what product or service your business offers.
I make art prints for my original Christ-centered artwork with a focus on high-quality affordable prints. I offer hand embellishing on all prints using acrylic paints and gel media.

What makes your business unique?
All my prints are made in my studio and hand-signed with optional hand embellishing available for all prints. I am personally involved in every step of the process and don’t outsource anything to retail galleries or print shops. With AI becoming more common in the art world, I do everything I can to bring a personal touch and handcrafted techniques to my work.

In terms of style, I portray Jesus as smiling, joyful, and loving. A lot of Christian art depicts Jesus as serious or sad, and I want to show my Savior in a different light.

Where do you source your raw materials from?
I use Aurora Art Natural 300 paper for all my prints. For hand-embellished prints, I use heavy-body acrylic paints and textured gel media from Golden Artist Colors.

In what ways does the business reflect your own personality?
I have been a follower of Christ since childhood, and art is a powerful act of worship for me. All my art begins with prayer and study with the goal of finding new ways to share my faith through art.

Who are your typical customers?
My customers believe that adding images of Christ in their homes, offices, and churches strengthens their faith and sets a powerful example for their families. They also believe that giving a gift of beautiful artwork might be a way to share the gospel with those who won’t listen to a traditional sermon or read the Bible.

What is the most interesting project you've encountered in the course of your work?
Many artists start with an Etsy shop and expand later with a dedicated website. I started with a website and then built an Etsy shop in January 2024. The competition on Etsy is intense, and I quickly realized that my artwork needed more than just an evocative title to stand out; it required thoughtful incorporation of keywords to reach the right audience. After launching the shop, my next goal was to become a star seller, and I’m proud to say that I achieved this within a few months by focusing on prompt shipping, excellent customer service, and quality.

Meeting and maintaining shipping deadlines to achieve and uphold star-seller status was a significant challenge, but it was crucial for building a strong reputation on the platform. This project taught me the importance of balancing artistic creativity with the practical demands of a competitive marketplace.

What has Red River Paper done for your business? Is there a particular challenge has Red River Paper helped you overcome or a goal they helped you meet?
To make hand-embellished prints, I need a high-quality paper that will hold up to paint and gel media without warping or staining while also bringing out the best in my art. Nothing else compares to Red River Paper for embellishing.

Which Red River Paper products do you use, and what do you appreciate most about them?
I use Red River Paper’s Aurora Art Natural 300 fine art paper for all my prints. The warm white color, subtle texture, and robust cardstock thickness make better prints than anything else I’ve used — by far! I also appreciate the wide selection of sizes so that I can focus on printmaking without having to worry about cutting or trimming to fit common frame sizes.

How can people purchase your products/service?
Customers can find my complete catalog of Christ-centered artwork at PaintedGospel.com. I also have a curated selection of art on my Etsy shop.

Do you have any future growth plans?
I recently began offering limited-edition art prints. These prints are signed, numbered, and include signed and sealed certificates of authenticity for collectors. You can find myfirst limited-edition prints here.

Original Publication Date: October 21, 2024

Article Last updated: October 22, 2024

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