I'm an Artcardist!

Corey Brown over at Artcardist.com surprised me -- on my birthday no less! -- with the news that my gallery page was live. I'm delighted and honored! Stop over and take a look:  http://artcardist.com/gallery-2/karen-koch

Be sure to browse the other artists in the gallery; they're wonderful!

What's an Artcardist? I'm so glad you asked. Here's a really nice definition, as well as descriptions of ATCs and ACEOs:  http://artcardist.com/about

Corey also runs a blog about artist trading cards and ACEOs: http://whatisanartisttradingcard.blogspot.com

ACEO-X Swap

It's been a busy month! Not only am I working on my Artomat order, but I've joined an ACEO swap, called ACEO-X (ACEO exchange, get it?).

Amanda from Ulixis Crafts is hosting the swap. We each make an ACEO and send it off to a partner that she has assigned to us. We know who we're making an ACEO for, but not who is sending one to us. Very cool!

Here are the details on her blog:
http://ulixis.blogspot.com/2009/07/aceo-swap.html

My entry, since I'm in an Artomat frame of mind, is an ACEO that I've made in the style of my Artomat paintings. It's made with acrylic paints on paper; the fishes are cut out of my favorite Miyabi Chiyogami origami paper.

I call it "Fishy Friends". What do you think?.

I'm Featured on ACEO Showcase!

The folks at ACEO showcase have been kind enough to feature today one of my ACEOs, the floral one made with Miyabi Chiyogami paper:

http://aceoshowcase.com/floral-aceo/105

They have a wonderful site with ACEOs in all different styles. Please take some time to browse their site.

My ACEO is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

What are ACEOs?

I’ve been asked about ACEOs lately, so here’s my take on them.

ACEO is an acronym that stands for Art Cards, Editions, Originals. They’re highly collectible tiny artworks that can be either prints (editions) or originals. The one rule is that they have to be exactly 2.5 x 3.5 inches, the same size as a baseball trading card.

They can be made in any medium or style on any support. Mine are all originals on paper done in mostly traditional painting and mixed media – watercolor, acrylic paints, colored pencils, ink, collage, torn paper. However, I’ve seen ACEOs done on canvas and also as photographs or prints or even made from glass or metal or fabric.

Subject-wise, my ACEOs are abstract acrylics and collages, though the styles and subjects used by other artists run the same gamut as larger artworks: traditional, landscapes, realism, Impressionism, illustration, florals, primitive. Whatever your favorite style of art, you’ll find an artist making ACEOs in that style.

ACEOs are a sibling to ATCs, which stands for Artist Trading Cards. The same rule about the size applies to ATCs, and they too can be done in any media. The essential difference is the method of distribution: ATCs are only traded never sold, hence the “trading card” part of the name.

ACEOs are sold. Prices range -- what’s the expression? -- from pennies to bennies? I’ve seen some artists’s ACEOs indeed sell for pennies, which breaks my heart, to hundreds of dollars. Mine are in the $10-25 range.

ACEOs are sometimes nicknamed “pocket art”. My catch-phrase is “Art you can carry in your pocket. What could be better?” No, I don’t carry ACEOs in my pocket because women’s clothing makers rarely put pockets where they might be useful. I do, however, carry ACEOs in my purse and my wallet all the time.

I also call them “my little gems”, because aren’t they just?

Acronyms and Definitions for Miniature Art: ACEO, ATC, OOAK...

Miniature art is sometimes described with a variety of abbreviations and acronyms. While they're helpful to aficionados, they can be confusing to the rest of us.

Here's an admittedly informal list of acronyms. It's heavily biased toward ACEOs and their cousins, since that's where my interest lies.

What others do you use? Have you found artists using an acronym but can't find the definition? Let me know and I'll try to track it down.

ACEO = Art Cards, Editions, Originals. Must be 2.5 x 3.5 inches, but any medium may be used. ACEOs can be sold.

ATC = Artist Trading Cart. Must be 2.5 x 3.5 inches, but any medium may be used. ATCs are only traded not sold.

INCHIE = Square 1 inch x 1 inch. (Not an acronym, I know.)

OOAK = One of a kind.

SFA = Small format art. Usually less than 14 inches in any direction.

TWINCHIE = 2 inch x 2 inch square. (Not an acronym, I know.)

Note: miniature art societies, groups, and galleries have their own definitions. Please check with your group to be sure you're abiding by their guidelines.

Holy Family ATC by Morris Nelms

This lovely ATC entitled "Holy Family" was painted by Morris Nelms. It found its way to me through the Strathmore Holiday ATC swap.

It's a wonderful card, beautifully done, with a peaceful feel. It truly embodies the spirit of the season. I'm honored to be the recipient.

Mr. Nelms is an accomplished pianist, composer, vocalist, and painter. Visit him on the web:

www.morrisnelmsmusic.com

www.myspace.com/morrisnelms

If ACEOs Are Pocket Art, Do You Carry Them In Your Pocket?

I do.

Several, usually.

I carry one ACEO that I made for myself with my daily words to live by. It's meaningful to me. I guess that means it's not technically an ACEO -- I wouldn't sell it for anything.


I also carry a small snack-size zip bag with a stack of unfinished ACEOs: some plain white ones and some with colored backgrounds. Plus, I carry a handful of pens and pencils. Sometimes I'll sit at lunch and doodle.


I also sometimes carry a finished ACEO with me. Sometimes I'll finish one and especially like it or make one that's completely different and gets me thinking about a new series or direction. I'll put it in a plastic sleeve and take it with me. I might put it on my desk at the day job, on the kitchen counter at home, or even on the dashboard in my car.

And, I have a little album with finished ACEOs that I sometimes carry with me so that I can show other people my cards. Friends will often ask what I'm up to, and it's handy to be able to show them my latest cards. Or, I'll take it out of my purse and leave it sitting on the table while I have coffee or lunch, and you'd be surprised how many conversations it starts. So I always tuck a few business cards in the back of it.



Do you carry ACEOs with you?

ACEO Magazine: Call for Entries

ACEO Magazine is now accepting entries for:

1. The October Artist of the Month Award.
2. Halloween and Fall Themed Cards for publication in the magazine and or newsletter.
3. ACEO Card Fiction just like Postcard Fiction. Create a double-sided ACEO. One side must resemble a postcard with stamp, return address section and mail to section. The other side must have oodles of creativity and a short creative fiction paragraph. Winners receive a permanent online ad on www.aceomagazine.com and possible publication.

Email entries to : aceomagazine@rogers.com.

My Studio in Print!

The latest issue of Cardaddix newsletter has a lovely story about my studio, along with several photos.

The rest of the issue has ACEO tips and tricks, display and collection ideas, artist bios, and lots more. It's definitely worth a read!

Copies can be purchased either by single issues or by annual subscription. Visit http://www.aceomagazine.com for more info, or purchase directly here:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260261650482

Both printed and PDF versions are available.

Pre-Cut ATC Paper

Strathmore is now offering paper cut to exact ATC / ACEO size (2.5 x 3.5 inches):

http://www.strathmoreartist.com/atc.php

Looks like a nice assortment of paper types and weights, as well as envelopes.

I normally cut my own, but the thought of being able to buy pre-cut is very appealing!

Garden of Hearts

3/9/07 Note: "Garden of Hearts" is one of 4 finalists in the Spring Contest at ACEO Magazine! Check it out!

Here's a whimsical garden of Valentine's hearts -- charming, isn't it? The image is made using colored pencil and watercolor on handmade paper, all mounted on cardstock. Talk about a great Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie. Buy it here.

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