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Personal History Preservation: Create Artwork with Family Heirlooms

Writer's picture: Kaylinn GilstrapKaylinn Gilstrap

Updated: May 25, 2023


White flower cast earrings photographed in a patterned shadow.
Great Grandma Zita's earrings, Kaylinn Gilstrap © 2020

Our personal histories are rich with stories and memories, passed down through generations. One of the most treasured ways to keep these memories alive is through family heirlooms. These precious objects carry the weight of our ancestors' experiences and serve as a link to our past. However, as time goes by, these heirlooms may fade into obscurity or remain hidden away in storage. But what if we could breathe new life into these treasures and transform them into beautiful artworks that not only preserve our personal history but also serve as stunning visual representations of our heritage? In this blog post, I show you how I create artwork with family heirlooms and discuss how I can do the same for your family. Let’s talk about creating personal history preservation artwork you can cherish and pass on to future generations.


A negative of a couple on horses against a field of grass. Diptych - Developed and un-developed
Jack & Dorothy on the ranch - Kaylinn Gilstrap © 2020 Vintage film negative photographed against landscape.

Unleashing the Power of Sentimental Objects:

Family heirlooms hold immense sentimental value. Whether it's an antique pocket watch, vintage clothing, or a weathered photograph, these objects have witnessed countless stories and evoke powerful emotions. By preserving these items with fine art photographs, we can transform them into beautiful reminders of your history that you see daily! The process of selecting, arranging, and showcasing these heirlooms in a creative way allows us to explore your family's narrative in a visual and expressive manner. Each family has different needs based on the items and stories they wish to preserve but I offer packages including the final pieces to make the process that much easier for you! Take a look.


A video of a bible on a wooden table.  The sun dances through the leaves on a leather cover with a silhoutte of a cowboy heading towards a sunset scene with Jesus in the clouds. The case says Beyond the Sunset.
Grandad's bible was filmed to show the inscriptions and hear the old, crinkly paper.

Sharing the Legacy:

Another reason I strongly encourage creating artwork from family heirlooms is that the process is not just a personal endeavor but also an opportunity to share and engage other family members around your family’s history. By creating artwork with the inclusion of heirlooms, these artworks become visual archives, capturing the essence of our personal history in a way that transcends time and can be shared by numerous family members. No more fighting over that one piece when everyone can have a visual representation of it! This is yet another way to create a legacy for future generations, enabling them to understand and appreciate their roots. Making this work a great gift for years to come!



Grid artwork of vintage hat collection shown in a room scene.
A grid of Great Grandma Zita's hat collection ranging from the early 1900s to 1970s. This artwork allows these pieces to be shown and shared easily amongst family members.

Preserving personal history is a gift we can give to ourselves and our future generations. Creating artwork with family heirlooms transforms these objects into visual testaments of our heritage. Whether you work with a professional photographer like myself or another creative expression, we can celebrate our ancestors, relive their stories, and pass down our legacy to those who come after us. Don’t allow your family heirlooms to gather dust in forgotten corners but instead use them as a source of inspiration to keep your personal history alive through the power of art. Make an appointment today to talk about your preservation needs!



A heart shaped, dried leaf with a vintage pink flower pin on it.  Photographed on white with a shadow.
Great Grandmother's souvenirs from Hawaii, 1964 - Kaylinn Gilstrap © 2020


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