Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Angels and Cherubs ATC Swap

Artists Trading Cards Group on Facebook
Angels & Cherubs Swap (Hostess: Vanessa Melton)

This swap is all about those rosy cheeked cherubs and the beautiful winged creatures from the palace up in the sky....angels and the tiny cherubs. ALL MEDIUMS WELCOME. This is a 4/3 swap. Please send your best work on clean, sturdy cards, with your information neatly on the back. Only 1 set per person please. Late sets will be sent back unopened. POSTAGE ALERT!!! Stateside Residents ----send SASE (at least $.72 worth of postage) or postage stamps (at least $.72 worth) and I will provide the envelope. International participants ----- send $3.00 (in US dollars or US postage) or an extra ATC related to the swap.

Start Date: November 17
Deadline: December January 8

Address: Vanessa Melton 4521 Cleveland Dr Plano, TX 75093 (Label the envelope: Angels)


Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!



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Art Card Groups on Facebook

There are several ACEO and ART Card Groups on Facebook

Here are a few worth note

Artcardist

artcardist

Main Entry: art-card-ist

Pronunciation: \ˈärt-card-ist\

Function: noun

Date: circa 2009

1. one who professes and practices an imaginative art card

2. one who is adept at creating, trading, buying and selling art cards and ACEO without bias

3. a skilled performer in the fine art of both ATC and ACEO

Find trading, buying, selling and creating tips for art cards and ACEO's here! There is also an online gallery posted at the site.

ACEO - Fans and Artists

A group for ACEO lovers to congregate right here on Facebook!

ACEO is an acronym for Art Cards Editions & Originals. ACEOs must measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Thats the only rule.

Artists Trading Cards

Artist Trading Cards allow artists from all over the world to exchange small works of art. I'm hoping this group will allow artists to find other artist to trade their work.
--For those of you new to this art form, here is a definition for you:
An artist trading card (or ATC for short) is a tiny, original piece of art created with the intention of swapping or trading it with another artist, not selling it. The one rule an artist trading card must adhere to is the size. An ATC must be 2.5x3.5 inches or 64x89 mm.



Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!
How to Make a Living As an Artist

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Tina Will ACEO Posted in Online Gallery At ARTCARDIST


Tina will has just been published in an online gallery on ARTCARDIST.com. She says "She is drawn to abstraction, and feels like painting and drawing is her way to push away
the conventional, and to escape from what society expects from us as adults.
Creating art is a constant developing process for her, and she hopes to eventually draw and paint
as free as a child again one day…with that courage and confidence of the young girl
on grandma’s kitchen table.
For her, drawing art cards is a great way to loosen up and totally relax while creating a mini piece of art. She likes that you can bring fresh ideas onto an art card quickly and thinks that art cards are a wonderful way to make art affordable for everyone."
Meet Tina Will and many other artists at ARTCARDIST.com



  • Do you want to sell more of your art or craftwork at higher prices so you can spend
    your time creating quality work rather than feeling you have to "mass" produce your
    art in order to make a living... but don't know how?
  • Do you need a proven easy to use plan to get your art or craft business going... but you feel intimidated and don't know where to start?
  • Would you like to have name recognition and have customers calling you... but don't
    know where to begin?
  • Do you want to turn your passion for art into a very profitable part-time or
    full-time business... but don't know how to do it?
  • Do you want to have all of the above without a huge amount of effort or becoming a "pushy salesperson" or an expert in marketing... but don't have a clue how to?
  • Want to know how to get started in an easy step-by-step manner... but didn't know where to find this information?
Steven Popkin, a successful glass artists has put the answers to these questions together in a step by step kit just for artists. He is a shining example of how to follow the success of others. Take his advice and view his course called THE LIVING ARTIST.


Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Art Cardist Published in Online Gallery: Meet Brenda Thour


Brenda Thour states that she is a wildlife & landscape artist. She says "I have sold work throughout the United States and Canada. I work in mostly oil, but I also use acrylic and watercolor. I have been painting since 1999, when I finally followed my heart and bought a few painting supplies. Picking up a paint brush was like turning a corner in my life. I have studied under and have taken private lessons from award winning artists. Painting is a passion for me and I immerse myself in each piece I work on. Learning more with each new piece, for art is a never ending learning journey. To take a blank canvas and create a work of art depicting God's beautiful handiwork is amazingly rewarding. Since I started painting, I have more of an appreciation of the beauty all around us. My passion is in painting wildlife and landscapes. I now look at nature differently, I view places and subjects as a possible composition. I notice the uniqueness of simple things, such as a fence post, or a tree stump. I give God all the glory for all he has done in my life."
Brenda's work is magical and will capture the hearts of viewers. She incorporates a feeling of joy and wonderment into her work. Her new gallery posting can be viewed at www.ARTCARDIST.com






Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Tips to Making Money Selling ACEO Online


Selling ACEO and Art Cards can prove to be lucrative provided one is willing to do a little self promotion. Creating a website, a blog and posting to forums in regards to your art card work will help spread the word that you are serious about this art form and want to gain recognition. Not to mention, help you put some hard earned cash in your pocket. This type of promotion can be free and easy to do. Look for a future blog regarding self promotion here and at ARTCARDIST.com

Sites like ebay and Etsy.com allow artists to post their art cards and make some money selling them. Each site has its own benefits. Ebay is a great site to promote individual art work since a listing will typically allow a shopper to browse an aritist's individual website. Working in an auction format or with "Pay It Now" allows an artists to sell their work quickly. This is great if an artist needs some immediate cash. Ebay also has some fantastic forums for art card artists. Join a forum and get ideas for increasing sales as well as information on trading art cards. It is difficult to showcase a specific work or collection of work since listings appear by the date that the auction ends.

Etsy solves the problems of the auction style of selling since art listings are more personalized and do not expire in a certain period of time. Etsy allows a user to add a personalized profile and to categorize the art work that is listed. It is not uncommon to see ACEO original work sell for hundreds of dollars.

Besides using sites like Ebay and Etsy to promote yourself, educate yourself, too! Many artists make a lot of money online. You can be one of those artists. Learn from others and follow the steps of their success. Apply principle of success. Ask yourself the following questions:
  • Do you want to sell more of your art or craftwork at higher prices so you can spend
    your time creating quality work rather than feeling you have to "mass" produce your
    art in order to make a living... but don't know how?
  • Do you need a proven easy to use plan to get your art or craft business going... but you feel intimidated and don't know where to start?
  • Would you like to have name recognition and have customers calling you... but don't
    know where to begin?
  • Do you want to turn your passion for art into a very profitable part-time or
    full-time business... but don't know how to do it?
  • Do you want to have all of the above without a huge amount of effort or becoming a "pushy salesperson" or an expert in marketing... but don't have a clue how to?
  • Want to know how to get started in an easy step-by-step manner... but didn't know where to find this information?
Steven Popkin, a successful glass artists has put the answers to these questions together in a step by step kit just for artists. He is a shining example of how to follow the success of others. Take his advice and view his course called THE LIVING ARTIST.



Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Friday, October 30, 2009

ACEO and ATC


First of all, an art card also called ATC (Art Trading Card) or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) meets a guideline of being produced on a 2.5" x 3.5" format. The measurement standard was taken from the same standard that trading cards, like baseball cards, use. The size allows the collector to keep cards in a card protector and binders that are commercially produced for all trading card enthusiasts. The size has also lent itself to another nickname commonly found for art cards. Art in your pocket or pocket art is another name used to define these productions. Art cards are produced by artists who are willing to share their talents by either trading or selling these little creations. Basically, the art cards can be looked at as a business card of sorts made by the artists.

The debate lies in how these cards are collected. ATC enthusiasts only trade their cards. They do so by joining online forums and engaging in ATC swaps or they go to ATC meets where they can trade cards with artists from all over the globe. The ATC movement was recreated in the late 90's. ACEO enthusiasts create cards to be sold or they can be collectors of the art form. This group was created in the early 2000's out of desperation. It was created because there was a desire to sell and purchase cards but the ATC movement frowns upon the selling of art cards. ACEO can be bought or sold on ebay or Etsy.com and there are numerous groups to be joined in order for an artist to showcase their ACEO work.

Even though we live in a modern age, there is a war of sorts between the two movements. Some ATC artists are also ACEO artists but not all are. Many frown on it severely. It is common to receive flack from members of the ATC movementt for wanting to sell or buy. Slowly, there is an acceptance of ACEO being seen in art card communities and it is only right. The size of the art cards allows buyers to purchase mini works of fine art at very reasonable prices. The current trend for collecting these cards also benefits the artists by allowing for a way to market themselves inexpensively.Whether one buys, sells or trade should not be an issue. This is a fun hobby and many people are joining the movement. It should be expected that both ATC and ACEO find a way to get along politically since there is a consumer demand for the product. For more information on this subject or to view a gallery of the artists pictured, visit http://www.artcardist.com




Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Teenage Artists Published In Online Gallery

Meet Sarah Shipman. Sarah is 19 and will be 20 in September 2009. She was born and raised in North Texas, in the Dallas Region (the most liberal part of Texas, she says.) Visit her at www.artcardist.com
What Sarah has to say about herself and art cards: "People have always asked me where I learned to draw or if I could teach them, but what I have is an innate ability to just draw or sculpt anything that's in my head, well except for the REALLY crazy dreams I have, those stay in my head. I've always been into art, since before I can remember. Officially, I wanted to be a Bird when I grew up, but I always new I was an artist."
Maze
Maze
"My mom tells a story where when I was a baby, less than two years old, she would sit me in her lap and draw pictures for me. she used to interact with me like that ALOT. but she's not a fantastic artist or anything. she would just draw the same cat, dog and mouse over and over, but one would have different ears, a different face or tail, etc.
One day I asked her to draw me a 'REAL mouse' and she explained it was the best she could do, so I suppose she set me up with some paints and paper and I got to work. she says when I called her over to see my work, she was shocked and a little afraid, because hse had no idea babies could paint so well. sure enough, it was a REAL mouse, hunched over like mice do. My mother explained it WAS beautiful."
Drakozi
Drakozi
"I takes me about an hour to create my zodiac ATC cards. Frankly, I don't know what makes me so fast and yet so good. I'm sorry, it's the only thing I can brag about. On the other hand, it's good to not get TOO over-confident and really push yourself to improve and NEVER stop with 'well, it's pretty good, I'll just turn this in like it is,' because nothing is EVER really perfect. I love making the custom Etsy ACEO cards."
Girl
Girl
How Sarah Started With Art Cards:
"I was in a little sort of privately-own art supply shop where they have every art supply under the sun, I mean EVERYTHING and I was getting new supplies for the beginning semester of my first real college art class when I saw a packs of blank ATC cards at the counter in a big display. I've always loved cards ever since the poke'mon and Digimon phenomena (digimon came FIRST!!) and I bought one of every kind of card pack they had except acrylic, since I don't have any acrylic paints. (the very same cards are in the advertisements on this site last I checked)."
Ox Girl
Ox Girl
"I took the art cards home, completely stoked and after thinking about what I should do, I made a couple. I wasn't into Esty yet, so I didn't think much of selling them, I just wanted to TRADE and was really excited. sadly, I never found a decent organization to trade through and I didn't have the will to make, like, 20 cards for a BIG trade. When I was fully into Etsy and my shop, I came up with the idea of making ATC cards to go along with the stuffed animals and plushies I was making, and with ONE lady, it was a huge hit! I also make 'Zodiac Pals' custom birthday cards where I combine someone's Greek Zodiac character with their Chinese Zodiac character, and that's been a huge hit! I love making them in my illustration-style, though I can do LOADS of styles!"
Card of Flower
Card of Flower

Sarah became an Artcardist on August 26, 2009.


Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Richmond Art Gallery Needs Artists

8 September – 30 October 2009
Closing Celebration & Trading Session:

Friday, 30 October, 7–8:30pm
The RAG’s 4th Annual Artist Trading Card Exhibition is a display of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) from local, national, and international participants. Everyone is invited to participate, and all techniques and mediums are welcome. ATCs must be original artworks*, and may be in a series, edition or multiple. Please “sign” the back, and contact information may also appear on the back of each card if desired. ATCs will be traded on the closing night of the exhibition.
*Please note that photocopied works will not be traded
How to Enter:
Send in 9 Artist Trading Cards in a standard 9-sleeve plastic sheet (9 cards per sheet). Cards will be displayed in the plastic sheets. Cards must be sized to fit into standard plastic sleeves (designed for hockey/baseball cards), and each measure 2 ½” x 3 ½” in order to qualify. All works received that follow this criteria will be exhibited. Please sign the back of each ATC and include your city/town so that others will know whom they have traded with. Include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to the Richmond Art Gallery.**
**USA participants please send $2 in US funds for return postage. International Artists please include a Postal Money Order or International Reply Coupon for return postage purchase.
Entries must be postmarked before September 4, 2009. Please attach a copy of our entry form with your submission and send to:
ATTN: RAG ATC Exhibition

Richmond Art Gallery

7700 Minoru Gate

Richmond BC

Canada

V6Y 1R9
For more information about ATC’s at the RAG, or to join our email contact list, contact Kathy Tycholis at ktycholis@richmond.ca
Information is provided by Richmond Art Gallery

More details can be found at their website

www.richmondartgallery.org


Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Vera Ma Published On www.Artcardist.com


Vera Ma is a graphic artist based in Singapore. Her work encompasses a variety of genres. Mainly contemporary illustration, psychedelia, manga, art nouveau, pop-art and surrealism. Color is a widely used and important theme in her work. She uses graphic techniques that firmly illustrate her passion for emotion. She was most recently featured in an online gallery at www.artcardist.com
Vera Comments about her choice of art cards as media. "I've always referred my cards as art cards
(as well as ACEOs) because most people have not heard of the terms ATC or ACEO. There's always a chance of meeting future collectors or people who like trading cards but never heard of the art genre so I choose to make it as accessible to an audience as possible."
Art cards are a medium that follow a standard rule. The cards must measure 2.5" x 3.5". This standard of measure is the same used for a baseball card. Art Cards can be originals or print editions and are either traded or sold. There is a wealth of information regarding the history of art cards found online. Art cards are extremely collectible and addictive hobby. Vera Ma expresses her thoughts on art card creation: "art cards is a good hobby to invest in... addictive though!"


Do you want to sell more of your art online? Free information here!


Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Sell Your Art Online Now!

  • Do you want to sell more of your art or craftwork at higher prices so you can spend
    your time creating quality work rather than feeling you have to "mass" produce your
    art in order to make a living... but don't know how?
  • Do you need a proven easy to use plan to get your art or craft business going... but you feel intimidated and don't know where to start?
  • Would you like to have name recognition and have customers calling you... but don't
    know where to begin?
  • Do you want to turn your passion for art into a very profitable part-time or
    full-time business... but don't know how to do it?
  • Do you want to have all of the above without a huge amount of effort or becoming a "pushy salesperson" or an expert in marketing... but don't have a clue how to?
  • Want to know how to get started in an easy step-by-step manner... but didn't know where to find this information?
  • CLICK HERE FOR FREE INFORMATION!

Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Why We Trade Artist Cards- A Hobby Handed Down From the Past


From Baseball Cards to Garbage Pail Kids
When I was a child, the boys traded baseball cards and the girls collected Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls. Then this gross little card called Garbage Pail Kids came along and suddenly both boys and girls traded them. They came with stickers, too! We had them on our school books, stuck inside of our lockers and plastered on our bicycles. I remember how serious some kids were about them. Collecting every card in the series. Keeping them stored in plastic sleeves in a three ring binder. The same way that baseball cards are collected and the same way that some people store their collected art cards. All this done in the hopes that they would someday be worth something. We already know that there is value in a baseball card, especially if you own a rare one. Garbage Pail Kids can be found at Ebay. So, were they worth saving? Whether or not the cards ended up retaining or gaining in value, the point of collecting is because it is fun. So be it with Art Cards and ACEO. However, since you are able to collect both Art Cards and ACEO that are original pieces, the value is definately worth more than a Garbage Pail Kid Card.

How Trading Cards Got Their Start

In the 1700's, the people in France and England realized that they could advertise on playing cards. Playing cards then became little works of art in their own right. The Impressionists traded their own artist cards for art supplies, food and even room and board. They were even known to sell them for money. In the 1800's, baseball cards were developed and it wasn't until later that the trading card size was standardized to that of a playing card. 2-1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches.

If you grew up in the 50s you may remember how many parents played cards on set nights of the week. They played Bridge, Canasta, Poker, Gin, to name a few. It was a way to socialize. First at one family's house and the next week at another. The playing cards that they used often had different pictures on the backsides. Horses, sailboats, landscapes, dogs, etc. Kids used spare cards to build houses out of cards and they also traded off the different cards with their friends. It was the rage before Garbage Pail Kids.

So is it so unusual that we, after generation and generation of card traders, should be surprised that Art Cards are such a great and popular hobby? Not at all. Baseball cards are still extremely popular and there is a great following and many books and other games developed after a simple card called Pokemon! Collecting ATC and ACEO is a hobby that will maintain itself for years to come since it is open to all ages and people of skill level. It allows you to meet new people and develop your art skills. Trading Artists Cards is a keeper of a hobby! Be glad you are an enthusiast!


Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

SIXSISTERS ART: Thursday Artist Quotes - Joan MIro - 1893-1983

SIXSISTERS ART: Thursday Artist Quotes - Joan MIro - 1893-1983
see sixsisters at www.artcardist.com


Do you draw and paint your own ACEO? ACEO has become one of the hottest selling collectibles on the internet. Arm yourself with knowledge critical for selling ACEO and other fine art.
Let Colin Ruffel show you how with his ebook.
You, too, can sell more art!

Calling All Lovers of Everything Art Trading Cards and ACEO!

New Group:
There is a new art card and ACEO group at Facebook. The group will bring together fans of both Art trading cards and ACEO. The group is called www.ARTCARDIST.com

By definition an artcardist is:

1. one who professes and practices an imaginative art card

2. one who is adept at creating, trading, buying and selling art cards and ACEO without bias

3. a skilled performer in the fine art of both ATC and ACEO


Join this group today and stay up to date on all the latest art trading card and ACEO information!

1,000 Artist Trading Cards: Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs (1000 Series)


Monday, July 20, 2009

There Are Three Typs of Art Cards

  1. Open Edition - Prints or reproductions of artwork that is printed in the standard card size. Open editions can be printed and reprinted depending on the demand for the card. There is no limit to how many will be printed. This can also be a mini-print of a larger original artwork.
  2. Limited Edition - This type is also a print/reproduction, but there is a limit to how many cards will be ever printed/sold. These cards are more valuable then open edition cards, because there is only a limited amount of each card that is available in the world. Many times, limited edition cards will be numbered on the back of the card.
  3. Original Artwork - This card is a unique piece of artwork done by the artist. It can be painted or drawn, but it will be 100% original and only one card exists in the world. This type of card is the most valuable.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Susan Rodio- ACEO Published in a New Gallery



Artcardist Susan Rodio has been creative since an early age. Susan's work is done primarily
in acrylic on either canvas or art board. She has since taken to printing her
painted images on art cards and ACEO (Art Collectibles, Originals and Editions)
She studied for three years in Sydney for a diploma in Fine arts. Susan paints
mermaids, faeries, godesses, angels and most things magical or spiritual. Her
love for this subject comes from an innate belief in the unseen world. Susan says
"To me there is far more to our experience of life than the material reality we
engage in through our day to day lives and I try to capture more subtle levels of
reality and I seek to engage the audience with these subtler energy levels that
are generally on a more unseen level". Nature and the elements inspire her. She often
sees faces in trees and mountains. It is through sitting quietly and focusing with nature
surrounding her that she sees and senses the spiritual and applies this to her artwork.
"I believe it is important to follow your passion in life whatever form that takes, in order
to experience a sense of fulfillment and purpose".
Susan's passion has gotten her noticed. Susan Rodio has been featured in many places.
Her work "Faery Gathering" was selected by Avantcard and distributed on 20,000 postcards.
She was selected as the artist ofthe month at FaeNation.com. Susans work has been
featured in The Magical Times Magazine and Pagan Magic's Witches Digest Beltane Edition. Most recently, Susan's worked has been featured in an online gallery at Artcardist.com.

To see more of her art work visit www.artcardist.com


Generated image

Friday, July 10, 2009

Tom Rios- Art Cards Published in a New Gallery


Tom Rios has been making art on and off for about 35 years. He started in the early 70s in San Francisco. Attended the Academy of Art College for several years which taught him the basics in art and gave him the opportunity to explore different styles and techniques.
Since that time, Tom has experimented in many types of arts from woodcarving to painting to paper-cuts and recently into making art cards.
Tom liked the idea of the art card because of the size limitations. The challenge of creating small works of art within the boundaries of the cards size. How much information can you put in and still make it work? Tom said "I think that’s the fun of creating these little gems." Tom became an "artcardist" in June 2009. Find out what exactly an "artcardist" is at www.artcardist.com
View more of my artists card work at www.artcardist.com

Monday, June 15, 2009

ACEO Copyright Secrets

Art Card and ACEO Copyright Information

If you make art cards, ACEO or art card collages, be aware of the following important information! Any individual can be sued for copyright violations when publishing artists cards without proper license agreements. Being aware of copyright laws will help individuals avoid a lawsuit when publishing pocket art.

Public domain is anything prior to 1922. After that, all copyright material including photos, books and music could be subject to the new "Sonny Bono law" that protects all works for 95 years. All photos and artwork, including artists cards, are copyright protected even 50 YEARS AFTER death of the holder. Don't publish ACEOs with corporate logos, or brand names, like Coca Cola or Hallmark. Brand names are fine for personal usage but as soon as you publish it in print, you have immediately infringed on copyright laws. Even published photographs of persons wearing corporate logos on clothing or gear when published for commercial use can be subject to copyright questions.

Individuals must also possess a basic model release for which any and all models involved in the photo have given permission to use their image.

Ask the following questions about your art cards:
  • Is this item your original art card?
  • Do you have public domain rights to the ACEO image being used?
  • Are you the copyright owner?
  • Do you have the license agreement for this item?

When in doubt, do your research. The internet offers a plethora of information regarding copyright laws. If answers are not found regarding your rights to an art card image, do not publish it. For more information regarding this topic visit www.artcardist.com.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Trading Art Cards vs. ACEO = ARTCARDIST

As an artist who produces art cards, it is interesting to find that there is a heated debate over these tiny fine art works. Art cards are for trading and ACEO's are produced to be bought and sold. There lies the only difference between the two. Each form of pocket art still must meet the requirement of 2.5 x 3.5 inches to either be traded or sold.
If you produce artwork and have joined the art card trend, you may be forced to take sides. Either be a trader of art cards or be a seller of ACEO . In the world of art cards there is no in between. I have actually been denied acceptance into forums because I had the audacity to suggest that I was looking for information on buying and selling art cards (to be p.c. I must say buying and selling ACEO). What I have ended up with at first is mass confusion. Unless you have done your homework, you may not know that an art card is intended for trade only and you submit yourself to being snubbed by many fine artists, many of whom you would like to trade cards with.
Don't choose a side! If you want to trade, TRADE! IF you want to sell, SELL! Consider yourself to be an ARTCARDIST.
An ARTCARDIST is an artist or crafts person who wants to produce cards with the intention to trade, buy and sell. They want to establish their reputation as an artist and communicate with other artists, so they trade. They also want to make a name for themselves and let the public be able to obtain fine art for a minimal price, so they produce cards to sell and buy. For those of you out there who wish to neither subscribe to being a trader only nor a buyer/seller only become an ARTCARDIST !
Visit my website www.artcardist.com for more information on trading, buying and selling fine art cards or ACEO.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

The History Of Artists Trading Cards


Art cards go by many names these days; Artist trading cards, fine art cards or ACEO cards. ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. In the 16th century, however, they were mostly portraits and they were always sold, not traded or given away as they were in the next few centuries. In the 16th century, fine art cards were the first wallet sized pictures. Artists also painted these small paintings to be used for exchange when people arranged marriages.

In the mid 1700's the French invented the idea to place advertising on these cards and not long afterward the English picked up on the idea and followed suit.

The Impressionists traded fine art cards, too. They did so among themselves in order to study the styles and techniques of other artists. Sometimes they traded or sold their artists cards to pay for items of necessity like food or art supplies.

In 1887 "baseball" cards started to appear. These early cards very rare. They were not mass produced. Cards during this time were usually sold with bubble gum, chewing tobacco and Cracker Jacks. As they were marketed with different size products, baseball cards were different sizes. Baseball cards became standardized to a 2.5 x 3.5 format in the 1960's. This is the same size used in todays art trading cards.Today hand made artist trading cards are popular once again. They are fun to collect and trade.

In 1997 a project known as Art Trading Card (ATC) began. Most would credit reviving the ATC trading sessions in the modern era to M. Vänçi Stirnemann, who began trading sessions in Zurich, Switzerland. The idea behind this project was for artists to meet with one another and trade their art. ATCs were NOT to be sold!

It is the ACEO that started initiating the buying and selling of art cards. Great ACEO information including artist information, art card groups and forums can be found on ebay.


Art Cards are made from many medias like water color, acrylics, collage, charcoal, pen and pencil or mixed media. Ebay has picked up on this trend and you can find ACEO for sale there as well. There are also private dealers who auction these cards and artists who sell them outside of Ebay.
To learn more about Art trading cards visit my next blog which will tell you more about collecting Artists Trading Cards Or visit my website
www.coreyannebrown.synthasite.com/
www.artcardist.com

Tuesday, May 19, 2009



An artists trading card, also called an ACEO or art card is an original piece of artwork or print that is only the size of a baseball card. This 2.5 x 3.5 format is the standard for fine art cards. The artists cards are meant to be traded of course!

The problem was that only artists were trading cards in order to study each others work. Finally an artist realized that the general public would also like to trade these cards and they were made to be traded among the masses. Artist trading cards are traded at shows and through the mail.

They are originals, small editions and, most importantly, self-produced. Anybody can produce them. The idea is that you trade them with other people. Trading is usually done with other fine art card producers. Trading can be done in person or at trading sessions. It's not about money: participants in trading sessions and editions should not be charged any money. The experience of trading is the reward. There are monthly TRADING SESSIONS at different places.

If you have a favorite artists or genre, you could be lucky enough to own an original piece of artwork or two or three! Art cards should have the name of the artist and other relevant information on the back of the card. These pieces, although small, are meant to be shown. Collectors frame them or display them in trading card binders.

The difference between an art card and an ACEO is that while art cards are intended to be traded only ACEO's are produced for selling. Ebay has a large collection of art cards to choose from and artists also auction their work online. These small works of art are done in many media.

  • Watercolor
  • Oil
  • Acrylic
  • Colored Pencil
  • Pastels
  • Pen and Ink

and in many genres

  • Collage
  • Abstract
  • Surrealism
  • Impressionism
  • Expressionism
  • Realism

This art is extremely collectable and fun. Every imaginable subject is covered. Fine Art Cards are a great hobby. Check out my website www.artcardist.com or visit my other fine arts cards blogs http://www.thehistoryofartiststradingcards.blogspot.com/



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