Question about signing Aceo

[waddy_point2]

I am wondering if someone can enlighten me to the rules of aceo and the signing of them. Is it a golden rule that the back of the aceo should be signed and dated?

[artistjillian]

Yes, they are all good thoughts. Thank you for adding them. There are, and probably never will be any rules. I am sure if anyone tried to set any, there would be a heated discussion, and just not worth it, I feel. My COA is in a photo album here - I'll link to it. Though it is for prints. I sign across the image, as well as in the appropriate place. Writing to ask if an artist signs the back is a good idea if you feel strongly. I also like something legible there, too, as I cannot for the life of me read some signatures. If I want to buy more, I have no idea who they are. It is also great to have someone agree to sign if one is received with a blank back. ~Jillian

[cdeeryart]

I purchased an ACEO awhile back that had no signature on the front or any info at all on the back...it was completely blank. I couldn't believe the artist didn't have anything at all stating it was done by them! I like to have at least the artist's name on the back of a piece or some kind of accompaniment along with it. A completion date is great, too.

[hiyatoots]

I sometimes use them as a marketing piece. Art (or until recently for me, pieces from my corporate portfolio) on the front, info including contact info on the back. Depends on my mood, intention, etc. Sort of like a sample or mini resume, calling card, etc. I want people to contact me for more!! Sorry it's so mercenary of me, but it helps to pay my supplies habit... (and chocolate) In 1996, I made a "resume" into a booklet of several pages of black ink printed onto brown paper bags, tore the edges, mounted on black linen cardstock and bound them. I got a terrific response, but when people called or wrote me to tell me how much they liked them, they said that sadly, they had no work for me. One gal said she displayed it on her desk, LOL! In 2001, I got a call from someone who had kept it and referred me to a freelance job.

[kengillam]

I put the title on the back of mine with a signature (illegible !) and my website URL. Ken

[artistjillian]

I must say I have some cards where I LOVE the backs almost the same as the fronts. Did you know that some frames for ATCs promote showing the backs of cards? There is a huge part of the ATC movement that promotes total decoration of art cards, and the back receives almost equal billing, as with the front.

[mw-artco]

Clarification here: I don't want anyone to think that I'm a big "non back signing meanie" 😛 What I posted above were the thoughts that I had when setting up my ACEO stuff. I have never traded or bought another ACEO so I never knew what was done (if anything) at all to the backs. I upon reflection, I will start to sign the back but refrain from much more than that... That being said, if anyone who has purchased recieves one of my recent ones (card 1 - 12) and would like it signed, send it back to me and I'd be happy to do that for you. I'll cover postage to send it back to you. I think this has been a good discussion, lots of food for thought, I wish we could post photos more inexpensively in our listings(considering the price point of lots of ACEOs, it really cuts into the bottom line) because it would be neat to see if people have special stuff on the back. :D Annnnnnyways, I have been thinking about this lots and just wanted to throw that out there for anyone who has just bought and likes the back signed.

[artistjillian]

It is all 'food for thought' for sure. Again, I'd like to stress that it is up to you as to personal choice, and for any 'issues' that is also a personal matter between you and the seller. :) Again, I'll say - it is by discussion we learn and educate. I am hoping to post a lot more on backs and mixed media and altered art in the future - maybe help some alternative art to be looked at. :) I am fairly sure it will be fun.

[mw-artco]

😄

[cdeeryart]

mw-artco...it is definitely a personal choice for each person as to how OR if they mark their art. From a selling standpoint, if someone other than the original buyer were to see a piece of my art, I'd like them to see my name along with it. From a buying standpoint...if I saw someone's work that I really liked, I'd want to know their name so I could look for more of their work. We should all do what we are comfortable with in regards to our own creations, though. Please don't think I was trying to be bossy:) Cyndi

[d-baron]

I have found this all very interesting, especially from the view of an art collector, and along that note I would like to add one item as food for thought- It seems that most everyone is thinking in the present, even while acknowledging that collecting is an important aspect of purchasing the cards. We all know how as time goes on, artwork has the potential of passing through many different hands. So while the present buyer may know everything there is to know about that artwork, what about future owners? -Think provenance- How will that history/provenance be preserved? In addition, while as a buyer I know what I purchased- at the time- I have found several times when I have gone back to give someone a little history of the work I purchased, I no longer remember all of that. I've had to rely on COA's, what was written on the back of the picture itself (which I just hate to have to pull a picture off the wall to get the info I need. Too easy to cause damage the more unnecessary handling you do of the artwork.), and other means to try to pull that information back together. I think as an artist, anything you do to make that information immediately available can only be good for you as an artist in the future. Anyway, food for thought.

[mw-artco]

*duncan honestly another reason I don't put ebay ids or email addresses is for the reason that they are mostly temporary if you are thinking 20 years down the road. :) The full signature/name thing y'all have sold me on though. :^O

[mw-artco]

daliadorer, I never thought anyone was being bossy at all this has been a good discussion, all around. 🙂

[d-baron]

Well, mw, I honestly didn't even think of the email/ebay id thingy. I was thinking more along the line of the full signature/name thing you mention. Also, the year it was done (maybe even the full date, although I don't really think that is necessary), title (if it has one), plus, I also like to know what medium was used, ie: acrylics, watercolor, etc. And any other information the artist may feel is appropriate at the time. (I know, I know, the ACEO has now grown to an 11X14)

[mw-artco]

*snort* :^O (I know, I know, the ACEO has now grown to an 11X14) Yeah, I'm kind of incorporating all the things all the above posters have mentioned. 🙂

[artistjillian]

So far I've been on the web some 10 years. My name is very searchable. I am sure even 20 years from now, my name will crop up and I'll be able to be found. I know this is not an option or desirable for all. It is what I chose to do, and continue to do. However .... I HIGHLY recommend the purchase of a reasonably priced computer program - you can download a free trial. Written by an artist for artists. It allows you to keep track of all artwork and provenances. I am also intending to use it to catalog my art collection. www dot workingartist dot com The copyright council told me that year was sufficient for date. ~Jillian