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?