Australian Artist Trading Cards

ATCs evocative of Aboriginal artwork
Phillip Hoyle, 2017

Last week’s ATC workshop opened with a trade of cards on the theme Australia or New Zealand. I missed the opening trade but joined the group for the workshop. There I finished a few cards reflective of Australian Aboriginal designs and joined in the final trade of the night. So much fun.

Since then I’ve made more, some of which I’m showing here. I began by cutting four printing blocks with designs to use as a base for elaboration. Then I printed onto cards that I’d already bubble printed. From there I responded to lines of both printing approaches and some techniques of Aboriginal artists I found on line, some ancient petroglyph designs and some current aboriginal paintings. What a world they discovered in dream time.

I still have a dozen more to finish. I’m ready to trade them and others at our next trade at CORE New Art Space on the second Saturday of August (10 am to noon). Join the fun.

ATCs Phillip Hoyle, 201u

Artist Trading Cards at the Fair

Blue Ribbon and sheet of ATCs awarded
Phillip Hoyle 2017 Denver County Fair

I had a good time at the Denver County Fair after I found my way there by bus. I got lost downtown when I was taking my cards out to enter. I got lost when I tried to return there yesterday to see the art show and recover my trading cards. The bus I rode Thursday doesn’t run on weekends so I caught another one that would require I get off and walk for about ten minutes. I got off at the right place but none of the street names matched the descriptions from the notes I took from the computer. I followed my sense of things but took a turn on a street that used to lead to the Coliseum parking lot. Not anymore. That cost me about a mile of walking. What saved me knew that when I got there I’d see a ribbon on my work.

On the bus I had a voice message from my art friend Sue that I got a blue ribbon for the category and a purple, Judge’s choice ribbon as well. The only time I’d ever got a first was in high school when I was the only boy in my category in a vocal competition. This time the blue ribbon was hanging there. The purple ribbon too! Sadly I had forgotten to take my camera! Oh well.

One of my sheets of cards got lost. I was showered with many apologies by the staff. Somehow I was not bothered since I had gotten lost in so many ways already! 

I had a good time with several artist friends, saw a super art show, received a written critique of my work, and ate some rather fine food. I watched kids and their parents, usually to my delight. It seems my work in Artist Trading Cards the past four years is bearing fruit or at least recognition. I’m pleased.

I got a ride home so I didn’t get lost.

The sheet of ATCs, County Fair 2017

Bubbles Artist Trading Cards

Artist Trading Cards by Phillip Hoyle July 2017

Artist Trading Cards using Bubble and Ink Printing method
by Phillip Hoyle, July 2017

In an old book on nature prints I read about printing from bubbles and have begun my own experiments. I’ve been at it for a few days and all of a sudden have almost 100 prints (3.5 x 2.5”). Some are finished pieces, others grounds for further development. The idea was to use these prints as backgrounds for printing leaves and flowers. The process calls for 1” of clear mild liquid soap in a container. Add 1 tbsp of pen ink and mix with a straw. Blow bubbles (reminded me of blowing bubbles in milk back in my childhood) until they reach above the rim of the container and put paper on them to pick up the ink raised on the bubbles.

For grounds I’ve precut several kinds of paper (and unsuccessful paintings). I’ll not explain. You can look. In my experiments I’m most intrigued with the contrasts of the organic bubbles and mechanically drawn lines. The colors that appear also excite me. You know blue ink on yellow paper turns green. And like with clouds in a summer sky all the designs and figures that appear in these tiny pieces of art.

The fun of the project should keep me busy in my studio as I make larger and larger pieces and find new ways to pick up the paint. I’ve only just begun.

Mixed Bag of Artist Trading Cards

ATCs made at last week's workshop. Phillip Hoyle, 2017

At the last ATC workshop at Jerry Simpson's studio we traded cards of either Smiles or Chicken and Egg (like which one came first). I took a bunch of them but they all traded and I had been making them late in the day! I'll make some more for another post.

In this workshop we first trade cards made to a theme (or not) and then work for a couple of hours to prepare cards for trade with all participants present. I found a couple of maps in one magazine and several illustrations from old (really old) issues of Popular Mechanics. Collages were my focus but I also drew and painted into them. 

I never tire of this kind of work and of the socializing with other visual artists. So much fun, stimulation, and warmth. 

A couple of the ATCs in closeup. Phillip Hoyle, 2017

Airy Artist Trading Cards

"Wind" ATCs. Top panes acrylic, lower pane empty with
curtain of paper. Ground relief print of window frame in
acrylic. Phillip Hoyle, June 2017

The topic for Saturday's trade at CORE New Art Space was "Air." One artist said he'd just bring clear acyrlic cards since one cannot see air. That comment may have been the origin of my idea to have windows, the bottom open to let in the air. I meant to call them "Fresh Air," but when I looked at what I had written they were titled "Wind." Another ATC maker often has movable parts. On these cards one can blow air through the open pane and make the curtains flap in the breeze.

Yes it's a bit corny but they did trade, and as usual, they were fun to make. 

"Wind" ATCs by Phillip Hoyle, June 2017

Artist Trading Cards by Children

Details from children's artwork made into ATCs
Bunny Rabbit? The Thrill of Surfboarding?
by Hoyle Grandkids

I've traded cards with my grandkids on several occasions, but these cards I made from artwork my grandkids either sent me as presents or greeting cards or left behind when they drew or painted in my studio. They range in age and were made over the past twenty years. 

The topic for this week's trade is Children's Art. I've made these cards from presents and cards they have sent me over the years and from artwork they left behind from their work in my studio. I don't know who made what and probably don't have examples from all ten of these kids.

Drawings: Pirate in Crows Nest, Swimmer in Danger?
by Hoyle Grandkids

Painting and Drawing
by Hoyle Grandkids

Baby and Card
by Hoyle Grandkids

Back to Business

Artist Trading Cards, May 2017 by Phillip Hoyle

Finally after too many weeks with no posts, I'm back in business. I actually did make a few cards for trade but traded all of them and forgot to scan them. Now I'm better organized and hope to make regular postings of some of the cards, leaf prints, and other artwork I conspire to do and complete! 

Abstract designs and monoprints continue to keep my interest. I've been looking at other things too, but don't know when I will feel I know enough about printing to satisfy this current interest. 

Artist Trading Card, May 2017 by Phillip Hoyle

I made four sets of cards but have printed only three of them. Perhaps I'll show more next week--if I happen to remember.

Hope you are warming up in this interesting spring. Here in Denver we fluxuate between snow, rain, hail, and then some days in the 80s. We're courting summer like we're in a hurry. I do like walking around in milder weather. Also my studio is now warmer. I don't have to wear a muffler and my hands don't get so cold.