One of my favorite ways to turn my photography into something that feels more like a piece of original artwork is to artist-enhance the finished print by hand.

I've been doing this throughout my art career, long before I ever started offering this work in my antique mall booth. The basic idea is simple: start with a beautiful photographic print, mount it to a thin board, and then use clear matte mediums and brushwork to add subtle texture and dimension to the surface.

The finished piece still retains all the detail and beauty of the photograph, but it has something a traditional photographic print doesn't have—the physical surface and feel of a painting.
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Here's how I do it...

What You'll Need

​For smaller prints, I use:

• A photographic print made on my laser printer
• Thin canvas board
• Mod Podge
• A wide, flat brush
• Heavy acrylic clear matte gel medium
• A smaller brush for adding the textured marks
• A frame

I generally work with 8×10 prints and smaller using this method.

1. Print Your Image

I begin by printing my image on my laser printer.

I prefer my prints to go all the way to the edges with no white border. The image itself becomes the artwork that I'll eventually mount and enhance.

2. Mount the Print to Thin Canvas Board

I apply Mod Podge to the thin canvas board using a wide, flat brush, then carefully mount the print to the board.

The thin board is important to me. I want the finished piece to remain relatively thin so it can fit into a wide variety of frames.

I allow this to dry thoroughly before moving on.

3. Seal the Print

Once the print is mounted, I apply another layer of Mod Podge or a clear acrylic matte gel medium over the entire surface.

This seals and protects the photographic print and creates a smooth surface for the next step.
Again, let it dry completely.

4. Add the Painterly Texture

This is where the magic happens!

I use a heavy acrylic clear matte gel medium and a smaller brush to add thicker brush strokes and marks to selected areas of the image.

I don't cover the entire surface with heavy texture. Instead, I use the heavy gel selectively to enhance the image and create the suggestion of painted brushwork.

The clear gel is especially nice because it doesn't obscure the photograph. Once dry, you see the photograph underneath while also seeing and feeling the subtle texture on the surface.

This is also where every piece becomes a little different.

The placement, direction and amount of texture are determined by me as I work with each individual image.

5. Frame It

​Once the gel medium is completely dry, the piece is ready to frame.

And this is where I like to have a little fun.

I love wide, ornate frames, particularly vintage and antique ones, and I collect them when I find them during my travels.

Gold is my favorite for this type of work, but if I find an ornate frame I love that isn't gold, I'll often paint it gold or add gold accents to bring it into the look I want.
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The ornate frame combined with the textured surface gives the finished photograph a completely different presence than a standard photographic print.

What About Larger Prints?

For larger pieces, I don't print them myself.  I order canvas prints mounted on a thin, flat board from FinerWorks. I usually choose a black backing board.

When the print arrives, I skip the Mod Podge mounting steps because the canvas is already mounted. I go directly to the fun part—using the heavy acrylic clear matte gel medium to add my hand-applied texture and painterly marks.

The larger prints are also mounted on a thin, flat board, rather than a thick panel. Keeping the backing thin allows the finished artwork to fit into a much wider variety of frames.  And, of course, I finish these larger pieces in the same kind of ornate frames I love to source.

Why Do This to a Photograph?

​For me, it's about creating something that falls somewhere between photography and painting.

A beautiful photograph can be wonderful as a photographic print, but adding physical texture changes the experience. You can actually see the brushwork and feel the surface of the artwork.

It's still my photograph—but now it has a handmade, painterly quality that a conventional print simply doesn't have.

And that's what I love about this process: the photograph provides the image, but my hands provide the final artistic touch.

If you're a photographer, this is definitely something worth experimenting with on an image or two. You don't need to turn every photograph into a textured piece. Pick an image that already has strong shapes, interesting light or areas that would benefit from visible brushwork, and see what happens when you give it a physical surface.
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Sometimes that final little bit of hands-on artistry is what takes a print from "photograph" to "art."

~Jai

​There are moments in an artist's life when they realize they've been creating toward something all along.

For me, I believe this collection is one of those moments.

I've loved paintings for as long as I can remember—especially the kind that proudly wear the marks of their creation. I love the texture of thick oil paint built up with a brush or palette knife. I love the subtle cracks that appear with age. I love the places where time has allowed tiny glimpses of the canvas beneath to peek through. Those imperfections aren't flaws to me—they're part of the painting's story.

And then there are the colors....

The quiet earth tones. Rich ochres. Warm umbers. Soft olive greens. Deep blues. The timeless palettes that have graced classical landscape paintings for centuries. Those colors possess a quiet elegance which has always spoken to me in a way that brighter, more modern palettes never quite have.

At the same time, I've always loved photography...

Photography offers something painting never can: the ability to capture a fleeting moment exactly as it happened. A curious bird in the backyard. A beloved pet. Wildlife encountered on a walk. A beautiful portrait. These are moments from our own lives which can never truly be recreated.

Yet photographs also have their limitations...

If you photograph birds in your backyard, eventually every branch begins to look familiar. If you visit the same park over and over, the backgrounds become predictable. Even when the subject changes, the setting often does not.

Years ago, I discovered something which completely changed the way I looked at my own photography...

What if my photographs didn't have to remain where they were taken?

What if a simple backyard bird could perch beside a winding mountain stream? What if a favorite portrait could suddenly exist within a timeless countryside painted in the style of the Old Masters? What if a photograph could become something which felt less like a photograph—and more like a painting that had quietly hung in a gallery for generations?

That idea became one of the inspirations behind The Daily Texture.

​Over the years I've created countless textures, backgrounds, and artistic resources, exploring many different styles and techniques. Every collection taught me something new, and every one became part of the journey.

But through it all, I kept returning to this particular style.

Old-world painted landscapes.
Rich canvas texture.
Visible brushwork.
The beauty of age.
Timeless natural color palettes.
Scenes that feel as though they have lived long before we arrived.

Those are the pieces I find myself creating simply because I love them.

​The LEGACY series grew from that passion.

Rather than beginning with a blank canvas, I wanted to create complete painted worlds—finished landscapes which already possess the atmosphere, the lighting, the texture, and the quiet character of heirloom artwork. Every worn edge, every brushstroke, every subtle crack, every shaft of golden light has already become part of the painting's story.

All that's missing is yours.

Whether your favorite subject is a songbird photographed in your backyard, wildlife captured on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, a beloved pet, or a treasured portrait, these landscapes invite you to step beyond the boundaries of where your photograph was originally taken.

A quiet creek.
A peaceful woodland.
Rolling countryside.
Towering mountains.
Weathered coastlines.
Places your subject may never have visited—and places we may never even see in our own lifetimes.

By bringing those worlds together digitally, something entirely new is created...

Not just another composite -  A work of ART.

My hope is that when you open LEGACY – Volume I, you won't simply see sixty painted backgrounds.

You'll see sixty invitations.
Sixty opportunities to imagine.
Sixty chances to tell a different story.

Because that's always been my favorite part of creating...Giving an ordinary photograph the opportunity to become something timeless.

There's something undeniably beautiful about surfaces that have been shaped by time.
Weathered plaster walls. Faded pigments. Fine cracks. Layers of paint worn smooth by generations. These imperfect details tell stories that perfectly polished surfaces never can.
That appreciation for timeless beauty is what inspired my newest collection...

Introducing Fresco - A collection of 70 high-resolution fine art textures inspired by centuries-old frescoes, aged plaster, weathered walls, and historic European architecture.

Rather than creating harsh grunge textures, I wanted this collection to capture the softer elegance of age—the subtle patina, muted color palettes, and natural imperfections that add depth without overwhelming your subject.
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Inside you'll discover a beautiful range of colors including warm earth tones, dusty roses, muted blues, soft greens, rich browns, creamy neutrals, terracotta, and antique golds.

Every texture has been designed in portrait orientation but can easily be rotated or cropped into landscape, square, panoramic, or custom formats depending on your project.
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Whether you're creating painterly portraits, still life photography, wildlife composites, mixed media artwork, printable papers, or digital paintings, Fresco provides a wonderfully versatile foundation.

Although these textures work beautifully as portrait backgrounds, one of my favorite ways to use them is with still life photography.

A simple blackberry, flower, vintage object, or botanical specimen can become something that feels like an Old Master painting simply by combining it with a carefully chosen texture.

One technique I use often is photographing small subjects on a plain white foam board outdoors in shade.

By brightening the white background either in camera or during editing, the white practically disappears when a texture layer is added using Multiply mode. Instead of spending time making complicated selections around your subject, the texture naturally replaces the white background while preserving the photograph.
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It's one of my favorite shortcuts for creating painterly still life images!

Your ideas are yours for a reason. They may not always fit trends, expectations, or what feels popular—but they carry your voice, your instinct, and your creative truth. Following them takes courage, especially when the response is quiet.

Bravery in creativity isn’t always loud. Sometimes it simply means continuing anyway. Trusting your direction. Choosing to create what feels meaningful to you, even when interest seems small. Every artist walks through seasons like this—and growth often happens there.

For today’s post, I used an image I created with the Royal Crimson Elegance collection. With its rich crimson tones and refined elegance, it reflects boldness and quiet strength—perfect for today’s message. As of today, I’ll be moving to sharing these reflections once a week rather than daily. Creativity still matters deeply to me, and I’ll continue showing up—just in a way that feels sustainable for this season.

Not every idea needs explanation. Not every piece needs approval. Creativity is personal—it reflects your thoughts, your experiences, your way of seeing the world. That alone is enough.

When you release the need for others to fully understand your work, you give yourself permission to create more honestly. What feels meaningful to you may not translate the same way to someone else—and that’s perfectly okay. Art is not meant to be universally decoded; it’s meant to be expressed.

For today’s post, I used an image I created with one of the textures from the Spectrum Series Spring Collection. Filled with fresh color and expressive energy, this collection encourages bold individuality and creative freedom. Let it remind you that your vision is valid—whether or not anyone else fully understands it!

Creativity loses its spark when it’s guided by obligation instead of inspiration. When you create from a place of excitement, your energy shifts—and that energy shows in the work itself. Let what genuinely moves you be your compass today.

Expectation can be a quiet weight, nudging you toward what feels safe or familiar. But excitement? That’s where originality lives. When you follow what lights you up, you create with freedom, curiosity, and heart.

For today’s post, I used a texture from the Coastal Embrace RAW Texture Collection. With swirling shades of blue and turquoise layered in heavy, expressive paint, these textures evoke the powerful movement of water deep beneath a cascading ocean wave. Let it inspire you to dive into what excites you and create from that place of depth and motion!

Your creative voice is uniquely yours for a reason. It may not always follow trends or match what others are doing, but that difference is often where its strength lies. What feels different can also be what feels most honest.

Trusting your vision requires quiet confidence. It asks you to continue even when something feels unfamiliar or slightly outside your comfort zone. Growth often happens in that space where you choose authenticity over approval.

For today’s post, I used a texture from the Fractured Collection. Featuring 12 bold background textures in a variety of striking colors, this collection celebrates contrast, strength, and individuality. Let it remind you to honor your creative instincts and trust what feels true to you!

Creativity often reveals its most interesting layers when we allow ourselves to experiment without hesitation. When you step outside of what feels predictable, you open the door to unexpected textures, movement, and meaning. Today is an invitation to try, adjust, layer, and discover without overthinking the outcome.

Experimentation brings energy into your work. It shifts you out of routine and into curiosity, where new ideas have room to take shape. Even small changes can lead to something entirely different than what you originally imagined.

For today’s post, I shared art created using the Beyond Collection. Featuring dramatic neutral tones and powerful brushwork, this collection encourages bold exploration while maintaining a timeless, grounded feel. Let it inspire you to experiment freely and see what emerges in your own creative space today!

Not every creative moment needs a destination. Sometimes, the greatest discoveries happen when you allow yourself to wander without an outcome in mind. Today is a reminder to let go of expectations and simply explore—following what feels interesting, calm, or quietly inspiring.

Exploration without a goal creates space for intuition to lead. It invites you to notice subtle details, experiment freely, and reconnect with the joy of creating for its own sake. In these moments, creativity feels expansive rather than pressured.

For today’s post, I used a background from the Hilltop Collection. Featuring grassy hills infused with the richness of old masters’ palettes, this collection reflects gentle exploration and timeless atmosphere. Let it encourage you to roam creatively and see where the journey takes you today!

Creativity has a way of surprising you when you least expect it. Sometimes, the most exciting ideas emerge when you take an unplanned turn, choose a color you wouldn’t normally use, or follow an impulse without overthinking it. Today is a reminder to stay open to the unexpected.

When you allow yourself to make spontaneous choices, you create space for discovery. Those moments of risk and curiosity often lead to fresh perspectives and new creative directions. Trust that even the unexpected has something to offer.

For today’s post, I used a texture from the Vitality Collection. Filled with splashy brushstrokes and vibrant, rich color, this collection reflects the energy and excitement that come from bold, unplanned decisions. Let it inspire you to embrace the unexpected and see what new ideas emerge today!