Artist Trading Cards
Artist Trading Cards (or ATCs) are miniature masterpieces created by an artist on a standard 3.5" x 2.5" baseball or trading card size piece of watercolor paper, canvas, or any other backing that will stand up to wear and tear. Artists create these cards and then trade them with others during in-person swaps or through online swaps. ATCs are not sold, only traded, although some artists create versions of their ATCs to sell. These are called ACEOs-Art Cards, Editions or Originals.
ATCs can be created using any medium and almost any technique. I have completed cards using permanent ink, colored pencil, chalk pastels, watercolor paints, fabric and paper. I have traded for cards that are sewn, stamped, "collaged", hand drawn and painted, felted and just about ever other technique you can think of. ATCs are a great way to try out a new artistic skill!
ANYONE can create an Artist Trading Card! It doesn't matter if you are a professional artist or simply enjoy being creative and trying new things. ATCs are a great way to get a "little" more art in your life!
Here are some examples of ATCs that I have created. It's sometimes hard to part with these cards. You'd be surprised at how much time you can devote to something that is only 3.5"x2.5"!
Examples of some of the ATCs I've created:
