Draw Your Own Cards
This postseason I've been enjoying drawing my own cards.
1/1. Signed Artist Proof. Hand-drawn. Sounds lucrative right?
Make no mistake, all the value is in the process. Not the product. It makes me happy. And I bet all hobbyists would enjoy it.
Many will balk at the thought, claim they are no artist. But all collectors are indeed art connoiseurs. They've analyzed a gazillion card galleries in various Museums d'Cardboard.
It's fun to put your taste to the test. Fun to do with your kids. Try something new. Improve.
Classic dimension - 3.5 x 2.5 inches. Playing card, driver's liscene, credit card. Same width as a phone. Just tracing and cutting out a stack of blank cards accesses a relaxation akin to knitting.
Front and back covers of Childrens Books work great. Have a card, or photo, handy to draw from. Or just go for it.
A lot of genuine artists are balling in this game. My favorite is @Gummyarts. He covers all sports and tons of culture icons. I like how he features actual card designs, often Topps. For basketball the '72 set works slick. Originals go fast for about $75. And I love the option to buy packs of 9 cards from each year's 100 card set. These are printed at home and randomly distributed.
Cards cooked up by legit artists are in another league. Topps Baseball Project 2020 is one of my favs. I'd love to see a card company do that for hoops. It'd be something to pare down the list to 20 players and their most recognized card. And then choose 20 artists.
The cartoon-drawings for the '93 NBA Skinnies set have a raw appeal. Paired with the extensive critical write-ups on the back, these editions are rather edgy. I always appreciate the envelope getting pushed.
In '97 Upper Deck did a Draw Your Own Card contest for all four sports. I wish a company would do this again. A chance to have your own card stamped and distributed in packs! I mean c'mon! - pipedream.
A lot of these UD puppies were drawn by kids. Sir Charles sipping cappucino while a butlered basketball is revealed on a silver platter. Shareef Abdur Rahim skying for a slam high above a bright yellow court. Kids' art is the best. Isn't it?
Receiving cards in the mail drawn by a few of my friends' kids is what put me on this path. Those one-of-a-kind creations radiate instant eye appeal.
Cards drawn by adults who don't ever draw will look just like kids art. Perfect! Add in the expert eye of the collector-turned-artist and I think some of these could hit. You might feel on the verge of a creating a cool design. The fix of working through an original idea.
So much of what we consume today is not handmade. Even art.
The pull to slow down. To create. It's best we submit to it.
It's been a trip discovering different levels of joy in this hobby. Starting down new trails. Drawing your own cards may lead to fun uncharted territory.
Maybe you've got a good friend who's an artist. Why not try to swing an interesting trade to get them to draw one of your favorite hoopers?
I've gotten a kick out of drawing cards that depict my friends who play in soccer leagues or race in the Alaska mountains. Guarenteed way to make someone a smile.
Another dream - to get a pro's autograph on a card that me or my kids drew of them. Imagine that exchange!
I'm a fan of the '61 Fleer set. Who isn't? The originals are out of my price range, but I've picked up a few from the '98 Vintage set. My favorite cards to collect are throwback designs featuring modern players. I like how Topps Heritage made that regular with baseball. I wish basketball had a set like that.
No problem. I'll just take the matter into my own hands.