I had some grand ideas about creating 100 aceos (artist trading cards – small 2.5″x3.5″ works of art – mine are basically miniature quilts) to compliment Dwelling: an exhibit of textile paintings by Lisa Call, now on display in Boulder, Colorado through March 17.

Then reality hit and that just isn’t going to happen. I made a few and they sold out right away via my newsletter so I’m definitely making more, just not sure how many, a handful I suspect. While I love making these miniature works of art to share I am itching to get back to some BIG art soon.

Here are the 5 newest aceos, sold at a discount through the running of my exhibit.
 

Home #47 (informed by Home #17)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
Sold

Home #46 (informed by Home #22)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
Sold

Home #44 (informed by Home #12)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
Sold

Home #42 (informed by Home #11)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
$40 $34 + shipping (through 3/17/2010)
Purchase Here

Home #38 (informed by Home #11)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
$40 $34 + shipping (through 3/17/2010)
Purchase Here

Dwelling Opening Reception – The Quick Review

It was sunday. It was fun. I had a blast giving my artist talk. I’ll post photos soon.

I have much gratitude for my friends and supporters that came to the event. Thank you thank you!

Beaded ACEO #1
©2007 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Beaded ACEO – textiles, beaded, thread
Purchase Here

Huh?

When organizing my new studio I came across the above ACEO* that I made a few years back. It was the very first ACEO I made and clearly not my normal type of art.

Shiny non cotton fabric, lots of beads – not trademarkl Lisa Call. Definitely one of those fun playing days in the studio.

In the big studio reorg all of these types of fabrics have been pulled to the side as I have no plans to do anything with them again so this is definitely a unique one of a kind sort of thing.

I do think I’ll make more beaded aceos (hence the name), as I love beading, but they’ll be quite different. More on that another day when I finish a small beaded piece I’ve been working on for years.

Nearing the Finish Line

I have a big studio deadline on Tuesday. Images of the 2 textile paintings for the secret show have to be in the mail (fed ex) by the end of the day. So – where am I?

I’ve put in 100 hours since June 10th finishing the quilting on these 2 pieces. Tonight I finished the first half of the second quilt, leaving me about 35 hours of quilting to do in the next 4 days. That is a lot of work, especially with a full day of work on fri and mon. I can see some serious focus will be called into play this weekend.

Please send lots of good vibes my way! I’m sure I can do it -because I want to! I’m loving all this studio time and some extra positive energy is always great also.

 
* ACEO stands for “art cards, editions and originals”. Originally known as ATC, Artist Trading Card, and are traded between artists. When sold to the public they are referred to as ACEOs. The primary rule for an ACEO or ATC is they be 3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ – the size of a trading card. They are created in many different mediums and are collectible, trade able and affordable art for everyone.

My View

This is the view out my back window in my studio. I love love my neighbors yard with all the trees. It feels very cottage-y and forest-y and I keep expecting to see Hansel and Gretal or something else fairy tale like.

Yesterday we had really dark storm clouds on the east and the sun was shining from the west creating amazing gorgeous bright lime green leaves against the powerful dark gray.

This is where inspiration comes from – everywhere – including right out the back window.

 
I turned back around to work in the studio and I saw my latest ACEO hanging on the wall waiting to be photographed. The same lime greens and grays.

I love it when life imitates art.
 

ACEO #39
©2009 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
ACEO – textile painting (hand dyed fabric, batting, thread)
Purchase Here Sold

ACEO #19 and ACEO #21
©2008 Lisa Call
photo by NIkki Jackson

Displaying in Style

I’ve recently started asking a few of my collectors* if they could send me images of how they are displaying their artwork and Nikki very wonderfully sent me the above image of the 2 aceos she purchased recently.

[* if I haven't asked you it just means I haven't had time yet - but I'd love an image if you could send me one - I love seeing how you are displaying my art.]

Her comments on the framing (note they were photographed without the perspex box due to reflection):

I used velcro to mount the pieces, in part because I love the way it makes them sit slightly out from the surface, and cast shadows. It may be only 1/4″ clearance but it makes a difference! The perspex box slides over the frame and meets that small black ledge, with about 1/2″ clearance to the art work.

I like the sense of unity, in terms of presentation, for these small works of art, especially as they are all in the same room.

Jane Davila recently posted an image on her blog of her recent art work purchases. That’s ACEO #28 in the top frame in this post: Art in The Studio.

They look great – thank you Nikki and Jane for your support and purchase of my artwork!

Little Pieces of Art

I knew about aceos for a few years before I bought one or started making them. I thought “what could one possibly do with artwork so small?”. Course I make big stuff, 4 or 7 feet wide, and 2.5 inches is almost microscopic in comparision.

Then I bought some. And made some. And it became clear.

These small pieces of art brighten up the little corners of our homes and can have an even larger presence once they are framed either alone or in groups.

I’ve got aceo’s tucked into corners of my house that add wonderful color and interest to areas that can’t fit larger artwork.

Take it With You

I think one of my most favorite ways a collector uses one of my ACEOs is Kit Vincent, the very first person to buy one of my ACEOs and the owner of aceo #1.

She carries her around with her in her wallet so she has art with her all the time. What a great idea.

She posted a photo of this here: Art In the Mail

And You?

How do you display your aceo collection?

 
PS: My aceos available for purchase are here: aceos

ACEO #33
©2009 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (hand dyed fabric, batting, thread)
Sold

ACEO #37
Textile Painting
©2009
2.3" x 3.5"
Sold

Busy

I think I have not yet written a blog post about a big change that occurred in my life recently. I am now a scrum master at work. I know – I can hear the collective “what? huh?” Basically I’m a project manager with a cool title.

This means my days at work are a lot busier. There is something every minute that needs to be taken care of and I have to actually keep a todo list instead of having just one or two things I’m working on.

It’s pretty fun so far.

I plan on writing a big post about this at some point, about how it fits in with my year of expansion and integrity, but for now this is what I have time for. And it’s my way of saying…

Sorry I am still behind on blog comments. I will catch up over the next few days. One post at a time if I need to. There are some good questions in there that I want to answer.

New Art

I’m very happy to report I have 3 new ACEOs completed this week and the first one I posted above. I love love this little house – love the chopped off roof.

Reminds me of moving into my first house with the husband. He was backing the uhaul up the driveway and came within a few inches of ripping the overhang off the garage. He didn’t do it but for some reason that image never has left my mind.

I’ll rephotograph the other 2 and post them soon.

ACEO #12
3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″
sold

 
A few unrelated topics…
 

Twitter

A series of articles I’ve read related to social media:

1) In a recent post, titled A Spectacular Way to Avoid Doing What Really Matters, Clint Watson definitively states:

Unfortunately, I keep seeing artists who seem to think that Twitter is some sort of revolutionary marketing tool that will help them sell art. It won’t.
…
Why ANY artist would think that sending a “Twit” is a better use of their time than creating art is totally beyond me.

 
2) A recent post by Seth Godin titled The small-minded vision of the technology elite:

"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home."
—Ken Olsen, ceo of DEC,

Only 31 years ago. DEC was one of the leading computer companies of the day, but not for long.

Take a look at the geek discussion boards and you’ll see an endless list of sharp-tongued critics, each angling to shoot down one idea or another.
…
PS the marketing elite have precisely the same problem.

 
3) An interesting point of view by Bill Weaver is presented in an article on his new blog The Artists Center: What’s up with social media.

I recommend the entire article and here’s a small bit:

So last year when I found out about Twitter I joined but really didn’t get it until the last few months. Coupled with my Facebook toolbar for Firefox I now get regular little blurbs that pop up on the bottom of my screen whenever one of the people I am connected with has something to say. That very action has allowed me to get to know what used to be pretty close to complete strangers. As a result, I have several potential partners for workshops or seminars each having a strong skill I am lacking in. I hinted above about communities, again this is one of the things social scientists have found occuring more and more as a result of staying connected with each other.

 
4) My twitter profile: twitter.com/lisacall (guess that makes it clear where I fall in the conversation).
 

PFD Fabric For Sale

As I’ve mentioned before I purchase the PFD (Prepared For Dye) fabric directly from Kaufman. I love this tight weave, high quality, 100% cotton pimatex fabric. It’s very dense and in my opinion some of the best fabric out there for making quilts (definitely a matter of opinion). I wrote a post about this fabric here: Kaufman PFD Pimatex Fabric

Kaufman has changed their rules for keeping my account active and I need to purchase more fabric than I can use each year. Would anyone be interested in purchasing some of this fabric from me? The cost would be around $5 a yard (including shipping). Unfortunately I don’t have the time to investigate shipping out of the US so currently this offer is for US residents only.

If you’d be interested in purchasing some fabric please send me email and I’ll see if there is enough interest to pursue this. I sure hope so cause I LOVE this fabric and don’t want to lose my account.

ACEO #12

Last night I didn’t get to my studio until about 9:00pm. I finished construction of Structures #99 before work so the next step was to piece the back and baste the quilt. I was in no mood for that so instead I decided to make an ACEO. This artist trading card is a combination of the bright colors from Structures #98 and the more somber dark gray/browns from Structures #99 as they were jumbled together on my cutting table.

If you are interested in purchasing ACEO #12 please send me email. It is $21 US and includes shipping to anywhere (I accept payment via paypal or check). It’s sold.

ACEO stands for “art cards, editions and originals”. Originally known as ATC, Artist Trading Card, and are traded between artists. When sold to the public they are referred to as ACEOs. The primary rule for an ACEO or ATC is they be 3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ – the size of a trading card. They are created in many different mediums and are collectible, trade able and affordable art for everyone.

Backside:

Fall in Colorado

The weather is Colorado is beautiful this time of year. Warm days, cool clear nights (well except for the recent rain). It’s beautiful. This is the view from Jim’s deck up in the mountains. Visiting my boyfriend is better than going on vacation. I love living in this state (I know I said this same thing just the other day – I’m very grateful for my life!).

ACEO #3    ©2007 Lisa Call    3.5" x 2.5"

 
Yesterday I completed all of the quillows for my daughter to sell. It was a full day in front of the sewing machine and it feels great to have that chore finished. I still need to construct 3 pillows for her store, which I’ll do first thing this morning and then finally I can get back to my work in the studio.

About a month ago I started a new large Markings piece and it’s been languishing on my design wall underneath quillows and small pieces for the Arvada Holiday Art Market. Today after a quick studio cleaning I plan to complete the construction of the design.

Finally back to making work because I want to make it, not because I have to for some deadline. This is the time in the studio I enjoy the most. No pressure. I make the art I want to and I don’t worry about what it’s for and if anyone (other than me) will like it. Too bad there is no money in such activities. Marketing….. I thought I’d get to some of that this week, didn’t happen. With my kids in town only 1 more week before their 3 month trip to Spain, hanging out with them is the highest priority for now.

 
The above photo is the last of the 3 Original Art Cards (ie ACEO) I made this summer. I first posted about Art Cards a few months ago. ACEO #3 was inspired by the Structures work that is composed of many blocks with this structure. I posted images of these pieces in this post.

I’m not sure if I’ll make any more small art cards at this point, I’m pondering my goals for 2008 in my head these days and so far I haven’t hit upon a desire to focus on this type of work. It was fun but I enjoy making larger work more. Maybe I’ll do 2 or 3 a year based on a few pieces made during the year. We’ll see how it goes.

This art card is available or $20 (includes shipping). If you are interested in purchasing the piece you can leave a comment here or send me email. Sold

 

Back Side of ACEO #3

 
ACEO stands for “art cards, editions and originals”. Originally known as ATC, Artist Trading Card, and are traded between artists. When sold to the public they are referred to as ACEOs. The primary rule for an ACEO or ATC is they be 3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ – the size of a trading card. They are created in many different mediums and are collectible, trade able and affordable art for everyone.

 
Today I took my mom to the airport, my kids are at their dads for a week so it’s time to get things in order and get back to my studio. I stayed focused yesterday and got most of my day-job work done so I only have a few hours to put in, which I plan to put off until sunday evening. I paid bills and got my art finances up to date this morning so it’s time to head to my studio and get back to work.

I had hoped I would be getting on a plane today and heading out to NYC for the opening of The Blogger Show but my plan of waiting until the last minute weekend fares to snag a cheap flight didn’t work. There were no cheap flights to be had from Denver to anywhere near NY. So I will miss the event and will have to be content reading the reviews by the numerous bloggers participating.

 
The above photo is the second of the 3 Original Art Cards (ie ACEO) I made this summer. I first posted about Art Cards a month ago although it seems like just a few days. ACEO #2 was inspired by the small work I showed a few weeks back, Structures #78.

This art card is available or $20 (includes shipping). If you are interested in purchasing the piece you can leave a comment here or send me email. Update – the work has been sold and is no longer available.

 

Back Side of ACEO #2

 
ACEO stands for “art cards, editions and originals”. Originally known as ATC, Artist Trading Card, and are traded between artists. When sold to the public they are referred to as ACEOs. The primary rule for an ACEO or ATC is they be 3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ – the size of a trading card. They are created in many different mediums and are collectible, trade able and affordable art for everyone.

 
I made the above ACEO with a left over section from Structures #48, shown in the previous post.

 
ACEO stands for “art cards, editions and originals”. Originally known as ATC, Artist Trading Card, and are traded between artists. When sold to the public they are referred to as ACEOs. The primary rule for an ACEO or ATC is they be 3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ – the size of a trading card. They are created in many different mediums and are collectible, trade able and affordable art for everyone.

 
My original thought was to sell ACEOs on etsy but my enthusiasm for that project didn’t last long. I put quite a bit of time and energy into my etsy shop doing internal promotion and even joined a couple of etsy street teams. I made 2 sales from my shop, both from people that knew me from outside of etsy. Lots of nice comments about my work from within etsy but no sales. I think my prices don’t fit into the cheaper pricing structure of much of etsy. It was an interesting experiment but not one I will pursue once my listings expire.

Etsy just didn’t feel like the right fit for me. First problem is I really can’t get over the name of the place, it really bothers me for some reason. Second was I felt like I was selling my work at a craft fair and while there is nothing wrong with craft fairs, that is not the venue I envision for my work.

When I restructure my website I plan to include prices for my small works to sell directly from my website. I believe that etsy isn’t going to bring me buyers. They are just providing a store front so paying a fee to a 3rd party for a place to host my images doesn’t make sense for my needs, especially if I’m competing against a bunch of folks that seriously undercut my prices.
 

The above ACEO is available for $20 (includes shipping). Sold – thanks Kit!

I made 2 or 3 other ACEOs and I will get them photographed and on my blog over the next few weeks. They were fun to make but pretty time consuming so I’m not sure I’ll make many more. It’s a very small format and quite a challenge for me. I was thinking about trying something in the 5" x 7" size range but it’ll be a few months before I have time to experiment as I have some show deadlines coming up.

 
It was my post about pokemon cards the other day that prompted me to remember I made these little art trading cards. I spent hours and hours mailing out trading cards. Sadly many of those little pieces of cardboard were sold for much higher prices than my original art work. The most impressive profit we turned was to head to toysRus one day and stand in line for 20 minutes to get a much anticipated promotional Mew card. I turned around and sold mine that week on ebay for $50. Not bad pay for standing around.
 

ACEOs – the pokemon cards for artists!

Back Side of ACEO: