Trading cards become art with local collectors' group
Published on Tue, Aug 10, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Communities
The large table tucked into a bright corner in Evonne's Antique Mall in downtown Arlington is covered in trading card-style albums. But the pockets inside the books are filled with unique handcrafted designs rather than photos of baseball players.
Artist Trading Cards (ATC) have become a popular collecting commodity across the world, and an enthusiastic group of traders meets every month at Evonne's to share their creations and learn from others' inspirations.
"It's an international hobby that started in The Netherlands," explained Bridget Clawson, an Arlington woman who is an active member of the local group. "A gallery owner there wanted to share the idea that art is for everyone, so he created 1,000 cards and invited artists from all over the world to come to his gallery with their own cards to trade. No one was allowed to sell anything, and that's still the basis of the hobby."
ATCs have very few restrictions, but they must be 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches in size, the same as a sports trading card, and they can never be sold. The designs range from watercolor paintings to paper cutouts, photo collages, fabric creations and much more. The art is as varied as the people who create it.
Many ATC enthusiasts are crafters, said Clawson. Some are fine artists, like local member Evonne Green of Arlington.
Green specializes in a technique called a Zen Tangle. Her designs are monochromatic freehand drawings that she decorates with lines, dots and geometric shapes. She generally works with a larger size original, then reduces the finished art to the trading card size.
The trading cards may be built on playing cards, cardboard cutouts, even junk mail pieces.
"We use found objects, dried flowers, beads, scrapbooking supplies," said Rita Newberry of Marysville. "Sometimes the inspiration might come from magazines or romance novels."
The group's meetings, held at 1 p.m. the third Saturday of each month, are designed around a theme, and might feature a demonstration or discussion about a new technique or material. They're also a social outlet for members, and new folks are always welcome to join the fun.
"We enjoy the creative fellowship of people from all walks of life," said Clawson. "You don't have to be a traditional artist to enjoy making and sharing Artist Trading Cards. People who like to scrapbook or make greeting cards would like the challenge of making ATCs."
The next meeting is set for Saturday, August 21, at Evonne's, 340 Olympic Avenue in downtown Arlington. The theme is "Hot Water." For more information about the local ATC group, phone Bridget Clawson at (360) 435-6223.
Artist Trading Cards (ATC) have become a popular collecting commodity across the world, and an enthusiastic group of traders meets every month at Evonne's to share their creations and learn from others' inspirations.
"It's an international hobby that started in The Netherlands," explained Bridget Clawson, an Arlington woman who is an active member of the local group. "A gallery owner there wanted to share the idea that art is for everyone, so he created 1,000 cards and invited artists from all over the world to come to his gallery with their own cards to trade. No one was allowed to sell anything, and that's still the basis of the hobby."
ATCs have very few restrictions, but they must be 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches in size, the same as a sports trading card, and they can never be sold. The designs range from watercolor paintings to paper cutouts, photo collages, fabric creations and much more. The art is as varied as the people who create it.
Many ATC enthusiasts are crafters, said Clawson. Some are fine artists, like local member Evonne Green of Arlington.
Green specializes in a technique called a Zen Tangle. Her designs are monochromatic freehand drawings that she decorates with lines, dots and geometric shapes. She generally works with a larger size original, then reduces the finished art to the trading card size.
The trading cards may be built on playing cards, cardboard cutouts, even junk mail pieces.
"We use found objects, dried flowers, beads, scrapbooking supplies," said Rita Newberry of Marysville. "Sometimes the inspiration might come from magazines or romance novels."
The group's meetings, held at 1 p.m. the third Saturday of each month, are designed around a theme, and might feature a demonstration or discussion about a new technique or material. They're also a social outlet for members, and new folks are always welcome to join the fun.
"We enjoy the creative fellowship of people from all walks of life," said Clawson. "You don't have to be a traditional artist to enjoy making and sharing Artist Trading Cards. People who like to scrapbook or make greeting cards would like the challenge of making ATCs."
The next meeting is set for Saturday, August 21, at Evonne's, 340 Olympic Avenue in downtown Arlington. The theme is "Hot Water." For more information about the local ATC group, phone Bridget Clawson at (360) 435-6223.
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