Miniature Collectible Art that is Sometimes Seen as a Cheap Moneymaking Trend
ACEO, an acronym for Art Card Editions and Originals, in some forms known as ATC’s or artist trading cards, have recently become a collectible trend, as self representing artists offer miniature works to give investors of every financial background a chance to own a large, versatile collection of portable, affordable, and easy-to-ship pieces from a variety of artists. As a rule, the creations are fashioned on a 2.5 X 3.5 sized “canvas,” most often card stock, which makes them about the same size as other types of trading cards. These pieces can then fit into the same types of albums, Lucite protectors, and sleeves made for other varieties of collectible cards.
ACEOs can be designed using any medium available from watercolor to ink. Though they are viewed as a relatively new trend, the concept of miniature art has been around for as long as people have been creative. But, the standards for size as well as the rebirth of ATC to ACEO popularity was likely founded to mirror the versatility of baseball cards and the collectible gaming cards of more recent times.
Original miniature art use was for anything from portable portraits to jewelry and decorative vanity items. Later, they became a popular medium for advertising. Eventually, artists started trading specially-created miniature works with one another as a means to share in technique and style. They were not created necessarily for a collectible or decorative use, but more as a means for artists to communicate skill and form with one another. Thus, the ATC was born.
There happened to be no standard for size in its inception, but the art community eventually adopted a standard size and a “trade only” rule. ATC trading parties were a fun and interesting way to develop art collections and share a mutual craft. Artists could delight in the differences in one another and experience one another on a more intimate manner than gallery shows and private studio invitations. There are still several artists who create ATCs to trade with one another, but many have recently decided to offer ACEOs for profit.
Comments
icequeen
(Guest)
(Guest)
10/30/2007
i love the aceo cards i buy only originals. i am getting to know certain artist and by from them regularly. i like the size of the art work and the price.i buy what i like not a certain subject.as an artist i see that it is not easy to create a small masterpiece.working that small you must be creative with subject, composition, style and color.it is challenging.i try to create daily,atleast one small completion.i love the cards,great sources of art.
GasGiant
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/09/2007
I only buy ACEOs (actually, only originals) from artists whose other work I especially enjoy. I can't afford the money or the space required to collect "full sized" paintings, but I love owning originals. I matte and frame my favorites and some have found their way into miniature rooms and complete 1":1' scale houses. I don't mind that these artists have "commercialized" their cards. If they were not offering them in this format I would be left out entirely.
Marissa
(Guest)
(Guest)
10/12/2006
Oh please, I do ATCs and ACEOs and I shouldn't be made to feel bad because I sell some of them. I am up to trading when I see something I like, but it is rare that I do. ACEOs are far from a big money maker for me. My larger pieces are what sell the most and for a lot more money. Art cards are a way for me to experiment and I have every right to do what I want with them. I have the right to be paid for my art. Often I simply give one away with one of my orders.
anonymus
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/27/2006
I think ATC's are a wonderful way to express feeling, creativity, and technique, on a smaller scale. Say you have a picture of Yoda. It sparks your creativity, but it wouldn't go on a card, in an album, or really fit any where else. You have a chance, with ATC's, to make it into something that YOU will enjoy. ATC's are not meant to be valuable pieces of art, they are instead, supposed to be treated as a fabulous creative outlet, that you can share with other's if you wish. Even a 3-year olds scribbles can be beautiful!
dada booie
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/29/2006
har! if youre trying to distinguish 'real' art from a 3-year olds scribbles or a rubber stampist and cant tell the difference, then there is no difference. the dada trolls mock you!!! ALWAYS buy art that YOU like. the aceo crafties are not the first artists to laugh all the way to the bank, wont be the last.
Sharon
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/23/2006
ACEO sellers have just made an excuse to capitalize on the popularity of making artist trading cards. It is similiar to trends like scrapbooking and rubber stamping, in that the numerical value of the pieces are whatever value the owner places on it, and this is a craft not elevated art. The real purpose of the ATC, which was started by Swiss artist M. Vanci Stirnemann was to exchange small works of art between other ARTISTS. The trade itself (in person) has fallen by the wayside. It has turned into a craft phenom due to the publication from Somerset Studio and other craft mags which showcase it. It was not imagined to become the trend it has today. However, more people still trade ATC than sell them. Selling them is in my opinion a quick money maker for those who really don't necessarily have any art talent. The fact that these people have come up with a whole other name for them indicates a derivative work.
figmentsden
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/22/2006
I knew that some people were trying to sell ATC's I just had no idea it had gotten this extreme. I am one of the artist who feel this is a huge blow to artist that just love to creat art. I still only create my ATC's strickly for trade, this is what makes the art fun.
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