Austin Gallery
The Journal
Deep-dive buying guides, Austin stories, collector advice, and editorials on the art of living well — 529+ articles, browsable by topic below.
Every article529 posts
Track Saw vs Circular Saw: Which Should You Buy
Buy a track saw for sheet goods and splinter-free edges; a circular saw plus a $88 Kreg guide for framing and rough cuts. The honest decision, with picks.
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Best Scanner for Watercolor Paintings (2026)
The Epson V39 II ($120) is the best scanner for watercolor paintings up to letter size; Plustek A320E ($649) for larger sheets. CCD vs CIS, dpi, stitching.
Austin Weekend Getaways: 6 Trips Locals Actually Take
The best weekend getaways from Austin are Hill Country cabins, Lake Travis lake houses, New Braunfels river trips, Fredericksburg wine country, the Port Aransas coast, and the in-town staycation. Here are all six ranked, with drive times, typical costs, and when each one wins.
FlexiSpot ErgoX Review: Footrest Chair, Honestly Rated
The FlexiSpot ErgoX (about $300) is the best office chair with a footrest under $350. Where it beats the SIHOO M57, where it does not, and the OC3.
Best Scroll Saw 2026: DeWalt DW788 Wins, 4 Compared
August 23, 2026 · 6 minOtherHow to Make Money Selling Art Online: The Artist's Guide to Starting a Real Business
July 8, 2026 · 17 minHow-ToSIHOO M57 Review: The $190 Mesh Chair Readers Buy
August 23, 2026 · 6 minHow-ToOttLite ClearSun Floor Lamp Review: Worth $140?
August 23, 2026 · 5 minAustinBest Art Supply Stores in Austin: Where Locals Actually Shop (2026)
June 19, 2026 · 9 min
Steelcase Series 1 vs Series 2: Which Is Worth It
Steelcase Series 1 ($499) is the pick for most: same weight-activated recline and LiveBack as the Series 2 ($633). Series 2 only for mesh and 4D arms.
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Catan vs Ticket to Ride: Which Game to Buy First
Ticket to Ride ($40) is the better first game for families and mixed groups; Catan ($40) for 3-4 players who want trading. Players, time, expansions.
Acrylic vs Glass for Framing Art: Which Glazing Wins?
Acrylic or glass for framing art? An honest comparison of weight, shatter risk, UV protection, glare, and cost — with a verdict for every situation.
SIHOO M57 vs FlexiSpot ErgoX: Which Chair to Buy
SIHOO M57 ($190) wins for upright work and value; FlexiSpot ErgoX ($300) wins if you recline and want a footrest. The $110 gap, feature by feature.
Makita vs Festool Track Saw: SP6000J vs TS 55
August 23, 2026 · 5 minCollectingWhat Is a Giclée Print? Definition, Process & Value
June 12, 2026 · 3 minHow-ToBest Router Table 2026: Kreg PRS2100 vs Bosch RA1181
August 23, 2026 · 7 minHow-ToBest Office Chair Under $200 (2026): 5 Real Picks
August 23, 2026 · 4 minAustinWhere to Get Art Framed in Austin: A Local's Guide (2026)
June 12, 2026 · 4 min
Paint Brush Size Chart: Measured Dimensions by Shape & Brand
Manufacturer-published hair width and length for every brush size, by shape, including 343 da Vinci rows reassembled into the size ladders da Vinci never publishes as a table.
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Lightfastness Ratings Explained: ASTM, Blue Wool & Every Brand
What ASTM lightfastness categories mean, how the Blue Wool scale roughly corresponds, and a translation table for how Winsor & Newton, Golden, Gamblin, Daniel Smith, Liquitex and others label permanence differently.
Can You Hang Framed Art in a Bathroom? What Humidity Does
Yes — with the right materials. What bathroom humidity does to paper, canvas, and wood, what's safe to hang, and how to protect a piece.
Paper Weight Conversion Chart: lb to gsm for Art Papers
lb to gsm for watercolor, drawing, bristol, printmaking and cover paper, with the manufacturer-published figures and the reason 90 lb watercolor and 90 lb drawing paper are not the same thickness.
