The ACEO Phenomenon

ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals.  They were originally traded between artists, but recently they have become widely popular with art collectors.  They are always 2.5 by 3.5 inches in size. Materials range from canvas to acid free paper cardstock. Watercolor board is also often used. They may be painted in acrylics, oils, or watercolors, or they may be done in pencil, charcoal, color pencil, or permanent ink. (The rose to your right was done in permanent Sharpie^® marker.)

Right now the best source I know for ACEO collectors is Ebay.  You can find literally hundreds of them. They range in price from just a couple dollars to $20 for an outstanding piece--quite a pittance when compared with the price of a large wall display.

If you know an artist, you might ask him or her how much it would cost to have one custom made. Chances are the artist already has a few sitting around that may be available for sale. If not, you may be sharing some valuable info. Most artists like to see their work in the hands of appreciative collectors, and the ACEO has become a way for that to happen with very little risk or investment for either collector or creator.

The ACEO makes a nicely sized gift to slip into an envelope, and you can mail one for the price of a postage stamp. They fit in standard card covers made for other collectible cards. Some folks even keep them in binders or card collecting albums. What is so unique is that you are giving something that will not be mass reproduced or mass marketed, meaning that in time you will own either the only copy (if it's an original) or one of usually only a few hundred copies (if it's an edition). If the artist ever becomes more widely popular, your investment of $5 may pay off many times over again! But don't invest in them just for that. Buy the art that you love, art that resonates with your soul. Art that doesn't breathe inspiration isn't worth the material on which it's been painted, written, or drawn. Collect what you, as a person, enjoy.