Somerset West artist Ansota has launched a group in February of this year for artists in the Helderberg area to create and trade in Artist Trading Cards. Each month has its own theme and one can vote online for the best trading card of the month. February’s theme was Hearts, to coincide with the month of love. Members' contributions were exquisite and the winner of February was Chantell with a beautiful golden display using mixed media.
Ansota has artists scratching their crafty little heads this month, as the theme of March is time. The notably challenging task of each artist is to produce six cards every month with the theme in mind. The result is an ensemble of different images in a variety of colors and mediums – truly an exercise to get your creative juices spilling over the brim!
ATC has its origins in Switzerland and can be linked to miniature portraits that were widely popular in the 14th century. ATC groups are found world wide today. Original more popular cards can be traded not only for other cards but for money, much like popular baseball cards today. The more popular your cards become, the more they are worth!
Create Your Own Artist Trading Card
To create an ATC one must get the size just right – 2.5” x 3.5”. This is very important. Nothing looks more sloppy than cards that differ in size. When using mediums (any medium can be used) work patiently and delicately to ensure that your work is neat and tidy. Every small card should be a masterpiece in its own right. To end off your miniature artwork provide a supportive backing, displaying your personal details like your name, the group that you represent and your contact number, for example.
Any medium can be used including dry media (pencils), wet media (paint) and paper media (collage). You will be pleasantly surprised at what you can achieve once you are challenged with a difficult theme which takes some time to ponder over.
Join An Artist Trading Card Group
Just imagine your cards travelling the globe exchanging hands of artists form far and wide. There are several annual ATC functions where one will be able to interact with members from other groups. Have a look in your local news paper's arts and entertainment diary section.
To be part of an ATC group gives immense please to artists and novices alike. Each month’s theme sets out the challenge to develop and explore creative abilities. To join Ansota's group in Somerset West or to get more general information regarding ATC's, visit Ansota's blog or email her at ansota.artist@gmail.com.
Erica Livingston - Erica Livingstone is a BA Languages & Literature undergraduate, specialising in Creative Writing and resides in South Africa.
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