Artist Trading Cards – spread the joy – meet the world.

Fairy Garden Swap - color pencil, ink

Artist Trading Cards, or ATCs for short, are original works of art on 2.5″ x 3.5″ cards that are traded, not ever sold. Since the popularity of ATCs, there came the option to to sell originals or create prints and editions from art pieces. These  are called ACEOs – Art Cards, Editions & Originals.   

When I first heard about ATCs I really loved the concept of trading original art with other artists. I started my work on ATCs September 2009. I trade online with 2 different sites – ATCsForAll.com and IllustratedATCs.com – they are sites set up like many social networking forums – you get your own gallery to post your art. You can message people, talk in the different threads. Join group themed swaps or swap one-on-one with artists from all over the world. I’ve even swapped with kids on that site (children of members) – kid art is awesome!  

I usually work in color pencil but sometimes use watercolor or gouache. After drawing lots of small pieces of art an amazing thing happened – I realized that my need to create was being satisfied. And satisfied in a short amount of time. I could create a card in an hour or less instead of days or weeks on one of my big drawings. I could experience that creative flow and get back to my graphics work rejuvenated! So ATCs have become a kind of therapy as well as creative expression. And it keeps me in practice and being exposed to so many artists of amazing talent, it serves to stretch my abilities as well.  

Artist trading card stock

You can cut your own paper – it should be heavy like the thickness of a business card, or else mount it on card stock. Or you can buy these cute little packs of stock made just for ATCs. They come in bristol, watercolor, illustration board and more textures.  

On the back of each card it’s traditional to sign it, put your screen name and title if applicable, media, location and date. People collect these usually in binders filled with those clear plastic trading card pages that hold 9 cards.  

Mine are primarily drawn or painted, but many create ATCs with collage, rubber stamping and all sorts of other creative media. Do a search on Flickr.com or on Google.com for ATCs and get a feel for it. If you are interested, a great place to start is ATCsForAll.com - All ranges of ability on this site. It’s a wonderfully supportive, fun, creative place.  

People are so into this that there is an annual convention just for ATCs! And an online magazine too. ArtTraderMag.com check it out, its a free download.  

Fruit for individual trades - color pencil

Eyes Swap - color pencil

Unicorns Swap - color pencil

Costa Rica moths for Butterfly Swap - color pencil