As per usual, I was late to finding out about a trend. I have never been a trendy person, on the cutting edge of the latest fashion or fads (unless I've just staunchly refused to give up one from a previous cycle so long that it comes back around - skinny jeans are coming back), so when I started to see posts about ATCs or ACOEs I was intrigued and assumed I was on to something relatively untapped.
I was incorrect - it was already a huge thing, but it was a nice feeling for a moment. And, regardless of how commercialized something might be, a good idea is a good idea. So I started to paint my own.
If you are unfamiliar with the concept, essentially they are trading card-sized samplers of an artist's work.
The piece has to be no bigger than 2.5 x 3.5 inches and - that's it. That's the only rule. It can be an original or a print, and it is a fantastic way to get an accessibly priced piece of your favourite artist's work.
On the artist side, it is a really good way to practice pieces on a relatively low risk scale. I use it to play with shading and to create fun "weirder" pieces (see below). It's a way to test what people are interested in thematically, stylistically etc. 
So it's a win, win...win?
When I started to make mine the biggest question for me was how I was going to do the background in my usual style without making a mess - I apparently did not think it through very well so my first 10 or so definitely have some paint on the backs (it adds character ok).
With the advice of a lovely and more experienced artist (shout out to Alice Melo), I figured out a better way to prep my paper that prevents me from getting paint allover the back and makes them just a little bit sturdier as well. I will have a post later when I remember to take pictures along the way of how I go from a sheet of paper to what you see below and show the different steps and layers!
While they started off as very finicky work - using brushes much smaller than I typically need until the very final highlights of my usual pieces - it has been a very rewarding practice and I can't wait to have them on the shelf at studio88ygk's new location starting 1 May!
And in terms of how all this practice it can translate to my larger work check out my 12X24 baby bear butt below! (Dream Big – Leah D'Ettore)
