Artist Trading Cards (or ATCs) are miniature works of art about the same size as modern baseball cards or 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches, small enough to fit inside standard card-collector pockets, sleeves or sheets. The ATC movement developed out of the mail art movement and has its origins in Switzerland. Cards are produced in various media, including dry media (pencils, pens, markers, etc.), wet media (watercolor, acrylic paints, etc.), paper media (in the form of collage, papercuts, found objects, etc.) or even metals or cloth. The cards are usually traded or exchanged rather than sold.
A few months ago I joined the website Swap-bot. It's a crafting/ art website devoted to snail mail. For example: sending handmade postcards, quilting blocks, ATCs, buttons and tons of things that fellow crafters may need. I participated in a few. (Posted on my Craft Blog)
Most recently I sent out a handmade Coin Purse and Yarn Earrings, and also a Potholder and I did a few email swaps too. This was my first real drawing, artwork swap. Which is why I am also posting it here on my Art Blog!
Most ATCs have themes, These two were alphabet themed ones. "I is for..." and " H is for..."
And for i, I chose "invincible"! I drew a little bunny in my sketchbook (Super Bunn, to be exact) . Cut him out and pasted him on yellow paper, and then pasted that yellow paper on some gold foil. Then I drew some little lines and wrote the theme up top.
Both are attached to thick card stock similar to baseball cards that I got at Michael's craft store.
For the back, you must add your name, location and other info on the back. I decided to make mine on the computer. I was going for a Comic-book-y theme. :) I am really happy with how they came out.
Since my partners have since received them, I decided to post them up! (I didn't want to spoil the surprise).
I encourage everyone to join swap-bot, or just trade things and art with fellow bloggers. It's fun to get mail and make things for others.
Take Care!
Dara
