What is Art for All? Well, it's a gathering of online folks who trade and make ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) over at ATCSForALL.com. I've been a member for a long time, including being a member of the site it all grew out of, atcards.com, which is now defunct.
So the idea is that we would all get together, meet, trade, learn techniques from each other, and otherwise generally make stuff and gab. My roommate, the awesome VintagePix, took bunches of photos you can see on her Flickr.
I thought the weekend was great. I had a good time meeting people I have been online buddies with for a while, and the classes were great. Were there some problems? A few, but nothing that "ruined it" for me. Scheduling changed often, which for someone like me is a problem (I like having one plan, and don't like changing plans). The art room was acknowledged by all to be too small for all of us to work in. But really, those are minor things compared to how much fun we had.
I enjoyed seeing how people interacted as far as trading in person went, because it was so interesting. I don't know if some folks were prepared for the honesty and "facial reaction" to your trading book as those things are hidden online. I also found it psychologically fascinating as to the value a person places on their art over another person's. I found the reaction to fabric cards interesting as well, and it was remarked to me once that they did not seem like they took a long time to make (as what? compared to their cards, perhaps?). I believe this perception changed a bit when they saw me sewing them. It was also strange to be called by your online user name all the time! :)
I don't know what I can do logistically to get my sewing machine to the next one if not held in Indianapolis, so we will have to see if I can even attend the next one, but I enjoyed this one a great deal and hope to do it again.
4 comments:
I did a bunch of trading on that site, and the site we used before it came along... was a lot of fun! I haven't traded ATCs in ages though. Will have to go through my stash of cards, I might have exchanged one with you!
- Judi
Wish there had been more time to spend with everyone - loved you brought your sewing machine and changed some perceptions - fiber art is art and you showed that beautifully.
Been meaning to e-mail you since I got back! Thanks again for rooming with me (and gabbing into the wee hours). Doesn't look like any of next year's location choices will be driveable, so I guess I'd better start saving my pennies and hope that nothing expensive needs fixing in the house. (You don't want to book a separate airplane seat for your sewing machine? ;o)
Oh wow, your ATCs are ace!
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