Artist Trading Cards

A.T.C. (Artist Trading Cards) Artist Trading Cards are a fascinating pastime for a great number of professional artists. The cards are made on thick paper and are always 2-1/2" x 3-1/2", a size that fits into standard baseball card storage sleeves. Each student must make at least 3 cards, each in a different design and made using a variety of art materials.

Artist Trading Cards are individual miniatures pieces of art which are exchanged. It started in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1997, although modern ATC's can be traced back to portrait miniatures and to a kind of business card popular with Impressionistic artists (19th-century).  Artists have produced miniatures for trade or self-promotion in many eras and places, and this current trend is part of the larger art history context.

There were few standard rules or guidelines to Artist Trading Cards, the only strict rule for these cards is their 2.5 by 3.5 inch size. There are, however, certain conventions usually observed by those who make and trade these cards, such as the expectation that they are to be traded not sold, and that they be created as unique works or small limited editions of prints. Artists generally sign and date the back, and may also include a title and contact information.

Check out these links for more ideas: http://www.flickr.com/groups/artisttradingcards/pool/page657/ http://www.flickr.com/groups/_atc_/pool/with/3358728778/

Your Assignment:   Create 3 Artist Trading Cards using any material you can find in the classroom or at home, except paint. You must create a card for each of the following topics: 1. A portrait 2. A dream 3. Your choice

* IF you are enrolled in 3D, you must include some element of texture/3D objects in your trading cards… add button, paper, a small object, etc You will be trading these cards with classmates, your teacher, and a student from another high school! Last Class: Friday, Feb. 3rd, 2011