ACEO stands for Artist Cards Editions and Originals. An ACEO is a small work of art made by an artist for sale or trade. They may be originals or prints of an original work of art by the artist. They are restricted to 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (6 x 9 cm.) so they will fit in storage solutions for baseball cards, either three-ring notebook pages with pockets or hard plastic card holders which are stored in card boxes. Either storage solution will allow you to thumb through your collection to see what beauties you have. Cards in the hard plastic cases can be displayed on a small easel and changed out periodically. Be careful about prolonged exposure to light, natural or not, and be really careful about exposure to moisture.

Geometric Abstract, by Lynne Neuman

Artists have traded works for hundreds of years. Sometimes the small works were used to show prospective clients what the artist could do. Sometimes the small works were used to transmit the latest technique or style to far away places. The small works were training tools for art students to work out how to do a technique or try a particular style. Destitute artists have paid for room, board or art supplies with small works of art.

Burano, Venice, by Lynne Neuman

The current interest in ACEOs started as Artist Trading Cards (ATC) very late in the 20th century in Switzerland. Originally only for trading between artists, interest in them from the general population led to the creation of cards for sale to non-artists: ACEOs. Shows for selling and trading the cards started appearing in Europe.

Moose, by Lynne Neuman

Another impetus to this genre may be the solicitation by galleries  of actual playing cards designed by artists.  Custom 52 has taken this phenomenon to the Internet, where anyone can propose one or more playing card designs, and the decks are published as card decks and posts when all the cards are approved.

Palm Tree, Beach Sunset, by Lynne Neuman

With the advent of the Internet, it is now possible to buy ACEOs directly from the artist. Purchases encourage artists to continue working, while the collector can own works by many artists, or many works by one artist. Given time, the collector may eventually purchase larger works of art.

Brooklyn Bridge, New York by Lynne Neuman

Now non-millionaires can support their favorite artists, and everyone can own art for reasonable, nay even cheap, prices. The cards can be created in any medium, usually on paper, the artist desires. Some artists take known works of art and alter them to make a new work. If you are interested, now is the time to get started. It is not often that one can be in at the beginning of an artistic trend.

Boats by Lynne Neuman

There are magazines and books about ACEOs if you want more information before you begin. Periodical publications include

• ArtTrader Magazine (online mag at http://www.arttradermag.com//), a site that has links to other sites for buying and trading ACEOs)
• ATC Quarterly (subscribe at http://www.atcquarterly.com/)

Keep an eye out for clubs or shows near you.

Hosta Plant Leaves by Lynne Neuman

All illustrations on this page are the work of Lynne Neuman.  You can see her work at http://www.lneuman.com/ or visit her eBay store at http://stores.ebay.com/Artwork-by-Lynne-Neuman?_rdc=1

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