Ecco

Ecco Cards - 99 abstract paintings without a fixed system

Most cards tell you what you should see. These do not. Ecco Cards by John David Ellis is a set of 99 abstract miniature paintings without text, without symbols, without explanation. What you see is up to you.

The name 'Ecco' comes from Italian and means 'Here it is'. That is exactly what it is. No system, no guidebook, no fixed meanings. Just colour, form and movement.

What you see on the cards

Each card is a small abstract painting. Some show quiet colour fields, others are more dynamic with stripes, splashes or moving lines. The colours range from soft pastels to bright primaries.

The card stock feels sturdy and has a silky finish. The cards are compact, 70 by 100 millimetres, which makes them easy to shuffle and sort. They come in a sturdy black box with a magnetic closure.

How you work with them

Because there is no text, you can use the cards however you like. Coaches and therapists often use them as conversation starters or to break stuck patterns. Art teachers use them for free association exercises.

You can also pull a card and write a text to go with it, or use them to capture a mood. Without prescribed meanings, each card asks for your own interpretation.

Pull a card and look at it for a full minute without thinking. Whatever comes up first after that, write it down. No judgement, no correction.

About John David Ellis

John David Ellis is an American artist who focuses on abstract painting. He studied at the Art Students League in New York and now works alternately in the United States and the German Black Forest.

His work revolves around colour, form and movement without a fixed message attached. That principle is reflected in the Ecco Cards.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 99
• Card dimensions: 70 x 100 mm
• Language: no text on the cards
• Material: high-quality card stock with silky finish
• Packaging: sturdy black box with magnetic closure
• Artist: John David Ellis
• Publisher: OH Publishing

Questions we often get

Why is there no guidebook included?
The set was deliberately published without a guidebook. The idea is that you give your own meaning to what you see, without prescribed interpretations. A guidebook would limit that.

Can I use these cards if I have no experience with tarot or oracle cards?
Yes. No prior knowledge is needed and there are no rules. You look at an image and respond to it. That is all.