I’d like to talk a little bit about my recent change of heart regarding the selling of artist trading cards (ATCs) as ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions and Originals).
I’m one of those fortunate artists who existed before ACEOs. I made and exchanged ATCs with other artists, in swaps, groups, and one on one exchanges in the lobby of craft shows. As someone who has paid my way with my creative skills for many years, I’ve always felt the joy of creating one thing that isn’t commodified, and that simply exists as a form of communication between artists.
When the idea of ACEOs appeared in 2004, I was against the commodification of something that the founder of the ATC movement specifically stated should never be sold. I was vocal about it, and I’m not sorry.
As ACEOs caught on, my stance softened somewhat, because honestly, who am I to tell other artists how to make their living? I shifted to thinking it was fine if people want to do that, but it’s not for me. And I stuck with that for a couple of decades.
I recently came back from an over two year break from art. I made nothing, and did no research in that time, though I did spend a good deal of time on social media. I watched, but did not participate.
And now, I’m back at it, but just a bit. I’m taking things slowly. I’m learning about mail clubs and the trend toward wanting something tangible in your mailbox that isn’t an ad or a bill, and how the rise of social media and technology has changed being a working artist. And I’ve discovered a happy, thriving tiny art community on just about every platform. People are having just as much fun making, sharing, and selling ACEOs as I did exchanging ATCs for many years. Artists are sharing tips and techniques and successes. This is all good stuff that I’ve been for throughout my career.
I’ve also thought a lot about ATCs, and how they were supposed to be so egalitarian. All ATCs were created as equals, and exchanged one for one. And yet, the idea that you must create cards to get cards has always been a bit exclusionary. If you cannot make cards, or do not have the confidence to make something you can exchange with another artist, or you just aren’t an artist, no ATCs for you. ACEOs remove that weird elitism, because they are often available at very low prices.
Still, I felt a little queasy about the idea of ACEOs, until a very wise artist recently said to me, “You know, you can do both. You can make ATCs to trade, and ACEOs to sell, and have the best of both worlds.” And that’s absolutely right. The existence of ACEOs, or the making of them, does not change the joy I feel when I open a swap envelope, and ATCs fall out. ¡Por qué no los dos!
So, I’m doing both. I’m making ACEOs, and also looking for opportunities to swap ATCs. That feels right, in 2026. The world has changed, and so have I. And that’s as it should be.