An ACEO a Day Painting/ Drawing Chalenge

I am giving myself a challenge and of course anyone is free to join me! An ACEO a Day! I have to make/ paint one every day. I just thought of this while in a forum on Etsy. If you are on Google+ and want to Join me, when you post your pictures, include hash tag #anACEOaDay with +Jaime Perry  So I get notifications.

ACEOs are baseball card sized pieces of original art or print. They can be anything as long as they are 2.5"x3.5" (6.4 cm by 8.9 cm) That is the only rule. They are AKA artist trading cards, art cards, the Germans know them as pocket art. ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions, and Originals. You can display them in frames, or on tiny easels, or in trading card albums as a coffee table book. They are tons of fun! The only difference between and ACEO and an artist trading card is that ATCs are to be traded between artists, and not sold. If they are fore sale they are called ACEOs.

They really are a lot of fun to make! I might take requests for what to paint, if anyone wants to challenge me. It's got to be something that might sell though. 

Crap do I have to paint mustaches and owls? or owls with mustaches?

Also If you paint, needle point, make collages, cross stitch, really anything, please join my challenge! 

They can be anything that will fit into a card collector album sleeve and are exactly 2.5"x3.5" (6.4 cm by 8.9 cm) 

The winter is so bad for us. There are so many artists who are stuck and are not motivated. Lets challenge ourselves. So if you make one post it here. This will hopefully get our juices flowing (insert dirty joke here) and give us something to do, an assignment if you will!.

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This is the first one. I wasn't planning on doing one a day when I did this.I tried something new. The only paint colors I used were white brown a little green and orange for the nose. I started this with pastel pencils. They are colored  pencils, but instead of the usual waxy filling they are pastels. I forgot I had them! Anyway. I started the clouds with those. Then I painted the clouds in with white acrylic paint. I used a black pen for the snowman details, and blended that with a small amount of white paint. Then I lightly dusted it with this body glitter that  came in my kids make up kit. This stuff is about as fine as baby powder and just as much of a nightmare as you can imagine. I am still sparkly! I used such a small amount that it is barely noticeable, but defiantly gives it that cold look. then I sprayed it with acrylic sealer, so the glitter is not contagious! Then I painted on the snow.  Once it was dry I used a paintbrush to apply regular glue to the back of the aceo to mount it to the card stock. Then I cut the card stock and picture together,  with a photo cutter. Please insert the words let that dry about every other sentence! 

Painted 12/16/2011 By Jaime Perry

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This one I painted for my ACEO a day challenge and also for a Fine Art Theme Day on Google+ called #SurrealArtSaturday. This is the very first time I tried the Genesis heat dry oils; I bought them months ago and I just haven't tried them. I thought they would be perfect for my ACEO a day painting challenge. I have had this painting in my head for a while, I started a larger version, but It wasn't coming out right, so I decided to practice it on this smaller scale. 

Painted 12/17/2011 By Jaime Perry

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This one Oh my! This one gave me a whole lot of trouble! I spent oh about 5 hours trying to paint an angel sleeping in the clouds in all shades of blue. failed miserably; Shortly after wanting to set it on fire, I turned it into a monochromatic skyscape.  I still hated it, and I wasn't sure what to do. Then I remembered some photos posted by a local photographer; of the mountains peaking up through the marine layer. I see that all the time where i live and I thought this painting could easily be turned into that. This photo was just breathtaking so I asked permission to use it .

 Thank you +Kelly Pajak for the use of your photo. You saved this one from the flames!

 Painted 12/18/2011 By Jaime Perry

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This one I had a better handle on the Genesis heat set oils. And after painting this, I think I may really like them, at least for small scale paintings.  This is a still life of the snowman statue that is sitting on my fireplace mantel. I always loved the shadows and the way the light hits it; so I painted it.  

Painted 12/19/2011 By Jaime Perry

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For #anACEOaDay 12/21/2011 technically it was finished before midnight, sorry it's so late :) A green apple from memory, against a brown background. I love the way green and brown look together. I didn't really know what I was going to paint, I just sat down with the paints and started. There was a time this was going to be a green tomato, but I changed my mind. I would love to hear what you think.

Painted 12/21/2011 with craft acrylics and black pastel on canvas By Jaime Perry

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I had to take a break for Christmas; there was just too much to do. So six days later, here is my newest aceo. This is the view from my front porch at night. You can see the city lights from the bottom of the mountain through the pine tree branches. This was done in pastel on card stock. It's mounted on another piece of card stock to add rigidity.

 I scanned it next to a key to show size

Drawn 12/27/2011 with pastels on card stock By Jaime Perry

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This one was finished at 11:30 pm on 12/28/2011. Drawn with pastels on yellow card stock, it is a hand holding a wine glass.

Drawn 12/28/2011 By Jaime Perry

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Here is today's ACEO painting. Done in acrylics on canvas. I got a wooden hand artist model for Christmas, can you tell? The colors sort of make it look like a zombie hand, thought that was not my intention. I hope you like it! Please feel free to comment on any of these. 

Painted 12/29/2011 By Jaime Perry

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For #anACEOaDay Painted 12/30/2011 with acrylics on canvas. This is an abstract painting made by pouring the paint on the canvas, and turning it. This was painted with gravity. This painting is like a warshak test; what I saw in it was completely different from what my husband saw! What do you see?

"Endless" Painted 12/30/2011 acrylic on canvas By Jaime Perry

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Artist Kimberly Johnson has joined my challenge below is her submission for 12/30/2011, she calls it "Tidal". 

A little about the artist from her Google+ profile: Born in Los Angeles, Kimberly Johnson was raised in Fontana, a small city in San Bernardino County. Ever since she could remember, Kimberly has drawn and painted. Never setting out to create art that focuses one subject or another, Kimberly is always with sketchbook in hand and is constantly drawing. At times drawings are left in her sketchbook and other times, they flourish into more comprehensive ideas and intricate depictions. Emanating a strong foundation in drawing, painting, composition and color complemented by a creative and inquisitive nature Kimberly conveys that which surrounds her and that which is inside of her.

Drawn with soft pastels on 12/30/2011 By Kimberly Johnson

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This is a surreal desert sunset, painted with acrylics on canvas. I paint my ACEOs on an 18x24 canvas that I have graphed out 3x4 sections. When I did the previous painting by letting the paint drip, it dripped on to other sections of the canvas. These drips looked like cactus to me, so I went with that. 

 Acrylic on canvas painted 12/31/2011 By Jaime Perry

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Painted on 12/31/2011 here is another submission from Kimberly Johnson 

Drawn with soft pastels and ink on 12/31/2011 Kimberly Johnson's last painting of 2011 "Poppy"

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This was painted 1/1/2012. I can not describe how much I hate this one. They can't all be great. I am posting the good, the bad and the ugly. Can you feel the frustration in it?  I am totally fighting the urge to introduce this one to Mr. Lighter! But, I gave myself a challenge to paint one of these everyday, it would be unrealistic to think that they will all be good. In the spirit of the challenge I will post the crappy ones too.

1/1/2012 Acrylic on canvas By Jaime Perry

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Yet another submission for  #anACEOaDay By artist Kimberly Johnson!

Drawn with soft pastels on 1/1/2012 By Kimberly Johnson 

Thank you Kimberly for joining in on my challenge, I hope to see more!

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Tonight I drew a Coke bottle on a black background on card stock.I started to draw my inlaw's dog, but he moved before I finished. Then I started to draw a glass of ice tea that was sitting on the table; It was my mother in law's drink and she picked it up, without realizing I was drawing it. So this was my last shot. Luckily no one was thirsty while I drew it!

Drawn 1/2/2012 with pastels on card stock. By Jaime Perry

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From artist Kimberly Johnson "Today's ACEO was done by special request for my niece who absolutely loves it! Not my usual style but I had fun with this one. 2.5" X 3.5" soft pastels on illustration board."

done in soft pastel on illustration board By Kimberly Johnson 1/2/2012

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Today's ACEO for 1/3/2012 A rubber duckie by request for a Google+ member. Drawn with pen, pencil, and pastels on card stock.

Drawn 1/3/2012 by Jaime Perry

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Drawn by Kimberly Johnson 1/3/2012  "It was 80 degrees and sunny here in SoCal today. Reminded me of late Spring/early Summer and the fresh fruits I like to eat. Unfortunately I spent most of it in a cold basement doing graphic design...I did get to enjoy it a bit on my lunch and I did my ACEO for today."

"Fresh Fruit" By Kimberly Johnson 1/3/2012

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Today's ACEO is from the movie "A Clockwork Orange". It is a study of one of Malcolm McDowell's eye's. In this scene Alex is being rehabilitated so he can be released back into society. His eyes are held open and his head is bound so that he can not look away. He is shown images of violence, sex, and even images of his favorite composer, Beethoven. While he was show the images he was given a medicine to make him physically ill. The idea is that when he encounters the things which make him violent he will feel sick, and unable to tolerate the violent acts. Becoming incapable to commit violent acts will make him safe to return to the outside world.  

Drawn 1/4/2012 with pencil on yellow card stock by Jaime Perry

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By artist Kimberly Johnson    

Untitled ink on bristol. I like the way this turned out, think I'll do a few more in a similar fashion.

Drawn 1/4/2012 in ink on bristol By Kimberly Johnson

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A continuation of yesterday's ACEO, this is the picture of Ludwig Van Beethoven from "A Clockwork Orange". I am offering the two as a set. 

Drawn on card stock with pencil 1/5/2012 By Jaime Perry

Here is the set together

Top drawn 1/4/2012 bottom drawn 1/5/2012 By Jaime Perry

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Another ACEO from artist Kimberly Johnson "Keeping with yesterdays black and white abstract theme - Untitled 2. Maybe I will be able to arrive a name for these as a whole when I am done. I'm also open to suggestion :)"

Drawn 1/5/2012 By Kimberly Johnson in ink

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Painted 1/6/2012. Abstract acrylic on canvas. I felt like playing around with my tangled designs again. A friend of mine said he saw my and my husband's names it it. I didn't paint it with any names in it, but I think that's pretty neat!

Abstract acrylic on canvas 1/6/2012 by Jaime Perry

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Another contribution from artist Kimberly Johnson

"Today's ACEO is #3 in what is becoming a mini black an white series, still untitled at this point. I think I'll wrap the series up tomorrow with one more and hope that the final piece leads me to a title."

Untitled 3 - 3.5" X 2.5 " ink on bristol by Kimberly Johnson 

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Drawn 1/7/2012 with pen, pencil, and color pencil on card stock. This is "Alice", My Father in law's big bass, stand up bass. I have wanted to draw this since the first time I saw it. This is partially drawn from life and finished from memory. While at the in law's I started this, but I had to stop due to cranky kids. I finished it at home. from memory with a little help (critique) from my husband. I think he knows every nook and cranny of this instrument, he calls it his inheritance.

Drawn 1/7/2012 with pen, pencil,and color pencil on card stock by Jaime Perry

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From artist Kimberly Johnson "I complete a mini series of black and white abstracts. At this point, I have struggled to arrive at name for each of the works.

After I share the fourth and final piece with you below, I will take a look at them as a whole and see if I can arrive at a name that way. For now I give you:"

By Kimberly Johnson Untitled 4 - 3.5" X 2.5" ink on bristol Drawn 1/7/2012 

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My ACEO for 1/8/2012 This is a piece of candy in the wrapper sitting on a black table runner. Drawn with pastel on card stock. 

Drawn 1/8/2012 pastel on card stock, By Jaime Perry

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Kimberly Johnson's submission for 1/8/2012 Lotus - mixed media, watercolor, soft pastels and ink on cold pressed illustration board.

By artist Kimberly Johnson 

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From artist Kimberly Johnson "I am really enjoying doing #anACEOaDay with +Jaime Perry! I am finally finding a balance between my day job as a graphic designer and pursuing my love for fine art. Before starting this challenge, I wasn't painting or drawing on a daily basis as I had been. It feels good and I've also started on larger works as well!"

Escape is Imminent - 3.5" X 2.5" graphite on paper By Kimberly Johnson.

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This is an abstract acrylic on canvas. Painted 1/9/2012. It's a bubble that landed on water.

Abstract acrylic on canvas, painted 1/9/2012 By Jaime Perry

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My ACEO for 1/10/2012, It is my first attempt at painting in the style of pointillism. "Picnic by the Apple Tree" 2.5x3.5 inches acrylic on canvas.

Acrylic on canvas by Jaime Perry 1/10/2012

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This is by artist Kimberly Johnson drawn 1/10/2012 She says she had a hectic day, I can totally see that in this piece! I love how our feelings influence our art! This one has a jazz feel to it, I love it! 

By Kimberly Johnson 1/10/2012

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Painted 1/11/2012 with my nemesis, the dreaded water color! On water color paper. Maybe I will give water colors another chance. This was not as painful as I remember. "Fallen Angel"

"Fallen Angel" By Jaime Perry 1/11/2012 watercolor on watercolor paper

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From artist Kimberly Johnson "Cracked and Broken" Drawn 1/11/2012 

"Cracked and Broken" 1/11/2012 By Kimberly Johnson

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An imaginary landscape at sunrise sunset and midnight. Each painting was done separately then glued on. The smaller paintings were done by looking at the original ACEO. I am very new to watercolor. Painted 1/12/2012

Watercolor on watercolor paper, painted 1/12/2012 By Jaime Perry

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From Kimberly Johnson "You may or may not know that I am also a graphic designer, for the City of Fontana, which is neither here nor there, lol. But today, one of my co-workers who has a fragrance lamp at their desk warmed peony scented wax today and inspired my ACEO." 

"Peony" By Kimberly Johnson 1/12/2012

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This is a rose and a Gerber daisy painted from a photograph, in watercolor. Not only do I despise painting flowers, I am also not a fan of watercolors. But I am using this challenge to step out of my comfort level, and practice with things I'm not good at. I know that Gerber daisy is hideous, please don't remind me. the more I messed with it the worse it looked. I'm contemplating just painting over it and removing it completely from the painting.

Painted 1/13/2012 with watercolors on watercolor paper By Jaime Perry

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ACEO original watercolor painting for an ACEO a Day This is a wine glass laying on it's side in watercolor. I started with a 2.5x3.5 piece of watercolor paper and glued on small squares of watercolor paper Then I painted on that. I have been experimenting with adding some texture to my aceos. 1/14/2012

Painted 1/14/2012 in watercolor on watercolor paper By Jaime Perry