Mary Jane Chadbourne
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
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I am a full time mixed media artist. I primarily create Artboxes, art shrines and collages. I also paint and draw. I got started with making ATC's and Tag Art to give me a break in between working on other creations. I love the idea of recycling whenever possible and it also affords me the ability to use up all the scraps of paper that would otherwise more than likely go in the trash bin! And it also helps me with ideas for future works. I have an affinity for paper...all kinds and l collect new paper all the time....even when I have no idea what I will use it for yet!




I love to apply the Jonathan Talbot technique of collaging to the tags. I was fortunate to take a two day workshop with him last spring. It entails treating all papers and substrate first, and then ironing them altogether. I find this technique extremely gratifying! I also love to include little bits and pieces of emphemera that I have collected over the years.....sometimes a favorite photograph is included, too! Often, something I have created on a tag will wind up as a collage on an Artbox later on. I feel that my muse often speaks to me when making these small tags and is leading me along the way to other ideas!



I love trading them with the other artists! It is wonderful to receive other bits of people's work from all over the globe! I love to share my ideas with others and also love to learn new ideas and techniques....the friendships that are made are precious and I feel that artists are meant to do just that....share with each other! I display all trades in my studio and enjoy seeing them all every single day!

My work is currently exhibited at:

Gainsburg Studio, Las Vegas, NV

DeZion Gallery, Springdale, Utah


A sidebar: As you know I lived in the northeast all of my life until three years ago. All of those years I knew that I would wind up living in the desert some day....I had never been to the desert, nor the west for that matter. But somehow I knew it.....and always wanted to create my artwork as a full time process....so when we moved here, and my dream came true...... I named the business Desert Dream Studios!

Janet's Art Play Blog
Janet's Art Play Store
Janet Ghio
Columbia, Missouri

Favorite medias: I use whatever works for the subject; fabric, scrapbook papers,
handmade papers, acrylics, inks, vintage ephemera, little beads and charms. I
love it all!!



It's fun to have a way to use up scraps and create small works of art. I have a
cigar box on my work table that I toss little bits and pieces into, so that I
can use them for ATC's.

For swaps, I like the challenge of trying to figure out what to do for a subject
that I might not ordinarily pick.



I love getting surprises in the mail, so swapping ATC's is so much fun. Opening
the envelope and looking at what everyone made and how they did it. I have a
small studio, so ATC's are just the right size for collecting. I love to take
them out and look at them over and over again.

Debra Benedict
Hometown--Shenandoah, Iowa


I was never an "artsy-craftsy" type person until one day when I was searching the internet and stumbled upon an article about Artist Trading Cards. I became fascinated at seeing all these tiny works of art done on playing cards and traded with people all over the world, and I just thought that was the coolest thing ever. So I tried my hand at a few, found some websites where one could swap,and I was hooked.




What's great about ATC's is the small size, which can be a challenge at times, but is great for trying out new techniques. If you screw it up, you're not out much expense or grief since it's only a few inches of "oh no, what was I thinking!?" I've tried paints, rubber stamping and embossing, sewing and embroidery, and gluing on found items and rusty bits from yard sales or trips to the local junk dealer.




My all-time favorite medium is paper collage--I can happily spend hours with an old magazine, glue stick and a pair of scissors, cutting out bits of paper and words, rearranging them onto an old playing card until I get it just right (to me). I find it very relaxing and when I don't get the chance to create every few days, I start getting crabby!



I quickly found once I started making ATC's and doing other art-related projects, that I need this in my life--like needing to breathe--to keep me happy and healthy. And trading with others all over the world is the best part of all--seeing how an artist in New Zealand, Ireland, or Cleveland chooses to interpret a certain swap theme. Their works of art continually inspire me to try new ideas, new mediums, and techniques. So, you can teach an 'old dog' new tricks--I'm learning things all the time thanks to this talented and caring community, and I'm truly enjoying all the Roses life has to offer! =)


To learn more about Pupchick visit her at her blog and say hello.

Roslind M. Sherman


What are my favorite mediums for making ATC's?

I'm a paper fanatic, who just can't own, touch or buy enough paper. As a
sensual artist, I have been known to rustle the paper, listen to it, run my
fingers around the edges and even bite off a few pieces to chew. ( Ha Ha) Of
course I never swallow it !!! I can often be found buried between the paper
dowels of Kobashi's Paper store in Japan. I LOVE PAPER!!!






If I see a pencil, I doodle. If there are scissors, I cut out paperdolls ..."
Oops, was that something important, Honey ? I adore soft subtle hues of
charcoals and pastels when drawing... and I'm IN LOVE with glitter. I'm the
original " Glitter Queen" , who often appears to wearing an assortment of
colorful sparkles on my nose and clothes. Infact, most of my ATC's are bound for
the glitter train.

What do I like most about creating ATC's?

I often snoop out Nostalgic, Fantasy or Victorian images for my cards, mounting
them onto decorative pieces of tissue, craft paper, watercolor paper or thick
cardboard from cereal or cosmetic boxes. ATC's seem to be the best little
recycled secret in town. I mean, where else could you use all those lovely old
ribbons, broken beads, tattered bits of lace and scrap paper that you've been
stock piling for years. It's a collectors' dream.



Making ATC's is a recycling utopia that aids in the true cycle of creativity.
I'm sure that you've all walk into your studio and had that elated ..."OMG, this
mess is a place" and it's all mine to create in ... Yes the thing I love about
creating ATC's is the sheer pleasure of making a creative mess and then pausing
with an " AHHHHHHHHHH" when it's finished...
What a feeling!!

What do you like most about collecting/trading ATC's?

Comraderie with a capital " C" is the most definitive element of the ATC world
for me. Being an artisan is generally a lonely and singular profession.
Thankfully, the ATC and Internet have literally created a star galaxy that
shines and connects us all together in kinship. We share personal dreams,
emotions and ideas. We chat like family to one another and support in times of
need.

I have friends in England, Asia, Germany, Turkey, infact, all around the world
and yet, I have never personally met one of them face to face. In life, they say
that " You are lucky to have one or two friends". Collecting ATC's has allowed
me the privilege to share my most intimate artistic vision through the medium
of 2.5 x 3.5 card... It's like MAGIC !!!

So what do I like most about trading ATC's... The stamps, the envelopes, the
kinetic energy and the dream force that reaches out to bond us in artistic , "
Friendship". ATC's are truly, one of live's SPECIAL GIFTS !!!

JoAnn Robinson

Hometown: Cobb Mountain, California

What are your favorite medias to work with when making ATC's.

Usually I start out my base with playing cards. They are the perfect size for an ATC, and I like the rounded corners.
I really enjoy making my own backgrounds using acrylic paints, stamps, and inks. There are also many beautiful papers available, I like to use them as well.
If I am not painting or drawing something of my own, then another one of my favorite things to use are copies of antique photographs. Pages from old short hand books are great too. The strokes add such wonderful texture and interest to these little pieces of art. I adore my old typewriter as well, and I try to use it whenever it fits the design. A few more of my favorites are French script stamps, glazes, and lately I am really enjoying all the new inks that are out on the market. Gosh, just take me to the craft store and I can always find a new favorite something to use in my art!

*What do you like most about creating them.

One of the beauties of doing ATC's is everyone can express their own personal style.
You would think working so small would be easy. The reality is, at times they
can be quite challenging, and I love that! Every time I do a group of cards for a swapI learn something new. Something as simple as finding a better order in which to glue things down can make all the difference in the world with the end result. I learn by doing, and sometimes by doing it over.
I can get lost for hours in the whole process of designing these cards. They really are addicting!

Being a detail person, when it comes to making these little guys,
it's fun to see how much I can get on a card and still have it look cohesive.
I tend to make a huge mess when I create too, so I would have to say working small has it's benefits when it comes to clean up time, lol!




Artwork by JoAnn Robinson


*What do you like about collecting/trading them.

I have made so many wonderful new friends trading ATC's, and I just love getting their cards in the mail! Everyone puts their heart and soul into making their cards, and I truly feel that they are little gifts of art from all over the world. After a while you get to know each person's style, and really look forward to seeing what they will do next. Everyone is so open to sharing new techniques, and products too, which is awesome. It's a fantastic group of artist friends! We are all learning, growing and creating beautiful things together. Who could ask for more?

Lucy Di Lorenzo
Melbourne, Australia


"Hi. My name is Lucy Di Lorenzo and I live in Melbourne Australia. I’m relatively new to the ATC scene, but I must say I just love it and am totally addicted. I love to layer with collaged images, and embellish with fabric, lace, flowers, charms, whatever fits in with the theme really. I’d like to get into drawing or painting my own images, but until I feel confident enough I’m more than happy with collage.

What I love about creating these little art works, is that I become engrossed in the process. It’s kind of like a meditation and I become totally focused. Just ask my kids. I only remember I have to feed them when they start eating the furniture…..lol. Just kidding! I also like the fact that I can trial ideas and techniques on these little cards, which I may like to use on a bigger work later on.





ATC Art Works by Lucy Di Lorenzo


As I said earlier, I’m new to this scene, so this will be my first trade, and I’m so excited. I love the idea of my art work getting out into the world, and even more excited about receiving original artwork back. I love art and creating things, but have never considered myself to be an “artist”, but I guess we all have a hidden artist in us somewhere. What a wonderful way of sharing art and ideas with like minded people. Thank you"

Feature Artist:


Marie Johansen
Friday Harbor, Washington



What are your favorite medias to work with when making ATC's?

I love so many different media for making ATC's! Actually I use them a lot to
try out new techniques and products. I think I use acrylics a lot - and lately I
have been rather excited experimenting with embossed metal, watercolors and pan
pastels. Beading is cool too if I have the time! Oh! I ADORE Zentangles too !

What do you like most about creating Artist Trading Cards?
I seem to do well with smaller format art.
I participated in The Journal Quilt Project that was spear headed by Karey
Bresenhan of The International Quilt Association for quite a few years and that
got me really used to working in, and enjoying, the format of 8.5" X 11.00". I
had some of my journal quilts published in the Journal Quilt Book.




ATC Art Works by Marie Johansen


I used to sell through Etsy but there is nothing in the store right now. I do
custom orders - felted animals and quilted and felted and quilted handbags.

After making journal quilt pages it seemed very natural to go to the ATC size.
It has taken me some time to find my way with ATC's but I enjoy them more and
more. I really felt challenged by the new "Inchie" trading. Yikes! I did not
think I could do that!

What do you like about collecting/trading them?

Collecting ATC's and Art Cards is really something that I totally enjoy. I have
learned so much from my fellow artists - you all give me such great ideas!
Swapping with other people really makes me feel more connected too - I don't
know anyone where I live that is interested in ATC's or cards - and there is
nothing better than paging back through my 3 ring binders and looking at the
amazing works I have been able to collect.

You can learn more about Marie Johansen and her beautiful works by stopping by her blog, Marie Z. Johansen, my life splashed in color.
And, you can also visit her at Books by the Willow Tree.