Karen Hetzer painting in her studio

About the artist

Hi, I'm Karen

Artist circa 2008 and I'm still a lover of all painted things ;-)

The Story Behind the Art

I've been painting for as long as I can remember — but it was discovering the ACEO format that truly captured my heart. ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals, and each piece is exactly 2.5" × 3.5" — the size of a standard trading card.

There's something magical about working at this scale. Every brushstroke has to count. Every detail is intentional. And yet the tiny canvas forces a kind of freedom — you can't overthink it. You just paint.

All that said, I continue to paint a wide range of subjects and on a wide range of objects. From tiny canvases to furniture to walls. Every piece a work of love for what I do.

Karen's painting process — close up of brushwork

What is an ACEO?

ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. The format originated in the trading card world and has been embraced by artists worldwide as a way to create and collect affordable original art. Every ACEO is exactly 2.5" × 3.5" — small enough to fit in a card sleeve, big enough to hold a whole world.

Size

2.5" × 3.5" (trading card size)

Medium

Acrylics on card.

Each piece

One-of-a-kind original

Collectible

Fits standard card sleeves & albums

Want to own a piece?

I'd love to find the right painting for you. Get in touch and let's chat.

Karen Hetzer Artworks

Original miniature paintings and handcrafted art products — made with love, one tiny canvas at a time.

[email protected]

© 2026 Karen Hetzer Artworks. All rights reserved.

Each piece is an original 2.5″ × 3.5″ ACEO painting