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]

*bump*

[irishkelly74]

I sign my atc's and date them, my ebay ID and personal website and add my location (BC Canada)

[ambercolumbia]

I'm bad about this. I scrall my signature, copyright symbol and date across the back just like I would on the front of any work on paper. But, this is a different audience. Jillian is right about what should be included and I think the ebay user name is a must. WHY, in the big board folks were looking for artists by their images because, like me, the artist had scralled that signature in a very artistic manner across the back. LOL, that means you can't read it... so, folks looked at a number of images and identified them through their knowledge of the artists styles. Can you imagine that. Someone who would like to buy another work from you can't because you didn't provide enough information. Well, that's what I have been doing with the little art cards since last October...I have limited my collectibility by NOT considering such a simple, and I must say, obvious, thing:(. The works I'll be putting up within the next two months have my name, address, ebay user name legible signature and copyright with date! Live and learn. Considering all the galleries I have sold in, I should know. But, the little cards were a whole new thing for me. I won't provide a certificate of authenticity because that really should be provided by a third party like a commercial gallery. Adrienne

[artistjillian]

Personally Adrienne, I'm proud of you for you changing, through realization. :) COA is personal choice. There is a sample in a photo album here I set up (re art shows and displays). I'm wondering though, as a discussion point, why a COA would be gallery related rather than personal. I can understand a provenance being provided by a gallery rather than an artist. Anyone? Any thoughts on this. ~Jillian

[sue-jim]

I'm trying to figure out how to put all the information on the back of an ACEO card (I feel the information is needed). Couldn't a statement of originality be a part of a printed information label for the back of an ACEO? I'm thinking that if the COA is separate, when it's put in an album pocket with the ACEO it will cover all the information on the back. I have problems with my wrist hurting if I write too much (especially small), so would prefer to use glue-on labels if practical. But for writing directly on the back of a card, what do you use? Some pens would bleed through the paper - others might make indentations (I'm speaking from experience as a photographer - I bought special pens for writing on the backs of photos ... hmm, maybe I should use that? ...). Sue

[irishkelly74]

I use a permanent script writing marker in black and it doesnt bleed through the mat board.

[artistjillian]

Sue, one way is to either print out a label, or buy preprinted backs (I offer some), or buy a rubber stamp. You can also buy a rubberstamp kit with letters, so you can make up your own stamp - either the basics, or else you can alter them each time. Just then sign in your own writing. You can also commercially get one done. © First name, last Name, 20 (then write in last 2 digits of the year) Website URL Might be good for starters. I made the mistake of using a Sharpie once, to write, and it bled through - so I recommend experimenting. I use Micron pens. They are archival and seem to work well. I store my COAs in a different binder - as they are all different sizes. I prefer for all details to be on the back of my cards, as that is what I take notice of when I look at them, or take them anywhere to show people. One interesting thing I often talk about when I show people - they usually want to know WHERE the artist is. Don't know why that is a common question, but it is. Maybe write this on the back, too??????? Just a thought. ~Jillian

[jane1234art]

well. That answers my question. jl

[sue-jim]

Thanks Jillian. I had no idea producing these little cards could get so complicated! The art is the easy part 🙂 - it's the identifying and packing that's hard. Oh, and protecting yourself from ripoff art thieves who copy your listing & pretend to sell it as their original work :( Sue

[ambercolumbia]

Thanks Jillian. It took a while and reading MANY threads about the issues. Personally, a rubber stamp for me. I still sign in PENCIL unless the back is, in the case of a number of my images, also tactile and too interesting, lol, to cover up. I'm saying my work is mine by signing it and copyrighting. I also state it. Authenticity...well anyone can say anything is authentic. Frankly, I see many images on ebay that aren't original (full, to the minute detail, copies) and they are listed as original...so, the artist filling out a COA. hmmm, it doesn't make sence to me. Also, my gallery administrative experience, 10 years, tells me that it isn't the artist's place. It's third party. Just an opinion, albeit opinionated, lol. For folks who know me, well, that's me; if you don't know me, please know this, my bark is way stronger than any perceived bite, LOL, kidding, joking...trying to nuance. :D Adrienne

[ambercolumbia]

PS (oh there she goes again) I learned alot about aceo from Jillian... Thanks.

[artistjillian]

Well, the way I see it, it's not up to me to provide provenance. But since I'm not gallery presented, my buyer 'deserves' no less than they would get from a gallery. I am 'serious' about my art in most instances, and want my buyers to know that I am. I have even provided COAs with ATCs that I've traded - and those that received them were in awe, and appreciated it, and probably became even more aware of the collectibility of these miniature treasures, because of it. I also use the COA to state fully the conditions of purchase - that the artwork is being purchased, and that NO reproductions of any kind is allowed. I know a COA is personal choice. But that is how I feel about it.

[jane1234art]

Sue: What? Steal? How? My sister asked me what's to prevent someone from printing a posted picture and then they have it? Why buy it? I told her I didn't think that was possible. Is it? What's a COA? Is that when a name is faintly laid over the photo image? I like that. PhotoVault.com has that over each of their photos. Their stuff is wonderful. (all animals and bugs) love it. jl

[artistjillian]

Copyright laws are in place to prevent someone from posting a picture they bought. However, unless we tell some people they can't, they don't realise that. I think that is whay you're asking? COA is 'Certificate of Authenticity'. I'll show you mine. THe name laid over a photo image is a 'watermark' - a copyright watermartk.

[sue-jim]

Re my post #39 & Jane's #43 - yes, steal - it can be worse than someone trying to print your listing photo so they don't have to buy it -- some Chinese are using people's illustrations in listings to run their own ads for "original oil paintings" - if anyone buys one, maybe they'll have a copyist paint one from the original and send it to the buyer (imagine a 24x36 oil duplicating the design of an ACEO). There's a thread on fraud proofing your art here - gives some good information to help protect your listing photos. Sue