As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4, the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) has launched a nationwide art and writing contest titled "My Country, My Story."

Open to students from kindergarten through college, as well as members of the public, this contest encourages participants to reflect on what America means to them through both words and art. Each submission includes a 150-word message and a piece of traditional, non-digital artwork such as a drawing, painting, or mixed-media piece.

What I find especially inspiring about this contest is its focus on personal storytelling. Rather than simply looking back at history, students are invited to explore themes of freedom, opportunity, service, leadership, and community through their own experiences and perspectives.

Art has always been a powerful way for young people to express ideas that are difficult to put into words. Whether inspired by family traditions, cultural heritage, everyday life, or dreams for the future, each artwork can become a unique reflection of the artist's connection to this country.
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Over the coming weeks, I look forward to helping students brainstorm ideas and develop meaningful artwork around the theme "My Country, My Story." As America reaches this historic milestone, it is a wonderful opportunity for young artists to share their voices and tell their own stories through art.

Accepted forms of artwork include drawings (pencil, charcoal or ink), paintings (watercolor, oil or acrylic) and mixed media (collages or prints).

Students from kindergarten through college are invited to participate, and submissions will be evaluated in six age groups to ensure fairness. A seventh category opens the contest to the public.

Submissions must include the entrant’s full name, grade level or category and phone number or email address.

They can be sent by email to education@ausa.org.

Winning entries will be recognized with a gift card and certificate of recognition. They also will be recognized during AUSA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., in October.
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For more information, click here.

This contest will open on February 23, 2026, and the submission period will close on August 8, 2026. Judging will follow, and winners will be officially announced by October 1, 2026.
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A Simple Upgrade That Made a Huge Difference: Magnetic PEI Build Plate for My 3D Printer. One of the most frustrating parts of 3D printing often comes after the print is finished.
You spend hours designing and printing a model, only to struggle when trying to remove it from the build plate. Sometimes a scraper is needed, sometimes excessive force is required, and occasionally the bottom of the print gets damaged during removal.
Recently, I upgraded my AOSEED X-Maker Joy with a 120×120mm Magnetic PEI Build Plate, and I can honestly say it has been one of the best upgrades I have made.
My first thought was simple:
"I wish I had done this sooner."
Prints Release Effortlessly. With the original build plate, removing prints often required a scraper and a bit of patience.
The magnetic PEI plate completely changes that experience.
Once printing is finished, I simply remove the flexible plate and gently bend it. The print pops off effortlessly.
No scraping.
No excessive force.
No worrying about damaging the model.
This is especially helpful in an educational setting where students are excited to see their finished projects and want to handle them safely.
Better Looking Bottom Surfaces. One of the biggest surprises was the improvement in print quality.
The bottom surface of prints now looks cleaner and more professional. The textured PEI surface creates a beautiful finish that gives printed models a polished appearance right off the printer.
Unlike some standard build plates that can leave marks, scratches, or adhesive residue, the PEI surface produces consistent and attractive results.
For student projects, display models, and classroom demonstrations, this improvement is immediately noticeable.
Excellent Adhesion During Printing. A common concern is whether prints will stick well enough during the printing process.
In my experience, the PEI plate provides excellent adhesion while the print is running.
The model stays securely attached throughout the print, yet once the plate cools down, removal becomes incredibly easy.
That balance between strong adhesion and effortless release is what makes PEI build plates so popular among 3D printing enthusiasts.
Less Maintenance and Cleaner Operation. Another benefit is simplicity.
I rarely need glue sticks, adhesive sprays, or other tricks to keep prints attached.
Most of the time, a quick wipe with isopropyl alcohol is all the maintenance required.
The printing process feels cleaner, faster, and more reliable.
Perfect for Educational Use. As someone who works with students and frequently uses 3D printing in educational settings, I especially appreciate how beginner-friendly this upgrade is.
The magnetic PEI plate offers several advantages:

• Easy print removal
• Improved safety
• Better print quality
• Reduced risk of damaging models
• Less maintenance
• More consistent printing results

Students can focus on creativity and design rather than struggling to remove finished prints.
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Final Thoughts: The 120×120mm Magnetic PEI Build Plate may seem like a small upgrade, but the impact on daily printing is significant.
Prints release more easily.
The bottom surface looks better.
Maintenance is simpler.
And the overall printing experience becomes far more enjoyable.
For anyone using the AOSEED X-Maker Joy—or any compatible 120×120mm printer—I highly recommend making the switch.
Sometimes the smallest upgrades create the biggest improvements, and this has certainly been one of them.

One of the biggest challenges in any art space is organization.
Brushes, palettes, masking tape, pencils, watercolor supplies — they slowly begin to take over every corner of the room. In a small studio or apartment, keeping everything accessible without creating clutter can feel almost impossible.
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Recently, I found a storage cart that I’ve been using constantly for my watercolor work, and it has honestly made my workspace feel so much calmer and more efficient.

It’s a very slim 3-tier rolling cart designed for narrow spaces, but it surprisingly holds a large amount of art supplies. Because it’s only about 4 inches wide, it fits perfectly between furniture or beside a desk. The wheels make it easy to move around while working.

On the top shelf, I keep my most frequently used brushes and drawing tools. The middle shelf holds small dishes, palettes, and watercolor supplies, while the bottom shelf stores extra materials and containers. Everything is visible and easy to grab while painting, which helps me stay focused without constantly searching for tools.
As a watercolor artist, I especially love how practical it is during painting sessions. I can move water containers, palettes, and brushes together like a tiny mobile art station. It keeps my workspace cleaner and makes the painting process feel much more relaxing.

Another pleasant surprise was the price.

For around twenty dollars, it feels sturdy, lightweight, and easy to assemble. The simple white design also blends beautifully into a studio without looking bulky or distracting.

I would especially recommend this for:

• watercolor artists
• art teachers
• small home studios
• students with limited space
• anyone trying to organize creative supplies more efficiently
  
  

Sometimes a small organizational tool can genuinely improve the creative process.
This little cart has become one of the most useful things in my studio, and it makes painting feel just a little more peaceful every day.

When people first begin watercolor painting, they often ask me what materials they should start with. The truth is, you do not need expensive supplies at the beginning. What matters most is enjoying the process and painting consistently. Still, a few good materials can make watercolor much more enjoyable and help colors shine beautifully on paper.

One of my favorite tools is a ceramic watercolor palette. Unlike plastic palettes, ceramic keeps colors clean and allows the paint to mix smoothly and naturally. It is simple, elegant, and easy to wash after painting. Here is the palette I recommend:
Watercolor Ceramic Palette

I also recommend using watercolors with strong pigmentation. Good colors help even simple paintings feel vibrant and alive. When the pigments are rich, the colors remain luminous even after the water dries. Here is a watercolor set I enjoy using:
Highly Pigmented Watercolors

I have also been enjoying tint-based watercolor colors. These colors create soft, glowing layers and can produce dreamy atmospheres in paintings. They are especially beautiful for skies, flowers, reflections, and gentle lighting effects. You can see them here:
Tint-Based Watercolors

As for brushes, I always tell my students not to worry too much in the beginning. Start with any brush that feels comfortable in your hand. The most important thing is becoming familiar with watercolor and learning how water, pigment, and paper work together.

As I continued painting small watercolor postcards, I realized they were slowly piling up in drawers and stacks. Each piece may be small on its own, but together they create a beautiful little world. Recently, I started using a transparent pocket-style card display to organize and hang my watercolor postcards on the wall, and it turned out to be far more beautiful and practical than I expected.

One of the best things about this display is being able to see all the paintings at once. Birds, flowers, oceans, landscapes, cats, and tiny moments from everyday life come together like a visual diary or a collection of memories. Small postcard-sized paintings can easily get lost on a desk, but once displayed on the wall, the entire space feels warmer, more creative, and more inspiring.

Another thing I love is how easy it is to change the artwork. I can rearrange the paintings by season or display only my newest pieces. In spring, I filled the pockets with flowers and birds, while summer brought ocean scenes and bright skies. Even small changes make the room feel completely different. Because the pockets are transparent, the soft textures and delicate colors of watercolor remain visible and alive.

This type of display feels less like simple storage and more like a miniature gallery for small artworks. For anyone who paints watercolor postcards regularly, displaying them instead of storing them away can become a wonderful source of motivation. Seeing your own paintings every day brings a quiet kind of joy and reminds you that even small artworks can fill a space with beauty and emotion.