Friday, January 29, 2016

Friday Thoughts

I feel as if I'm back in kindergarten or Vacation Bible School, as I've experimented with Chinese brush painting, collage, painting on dictionary pages, etc.  I've made some postcards and made and/or decorated some envelopes.  My work space and floor and every surface in the room is covered with papers, works in progress, paints, pens, scraps of both paper and fabric, and other odd items.

What I love about mail art is that it doesn't have to be good or even well-thought out (a definite advantage for me).  It can be spontaneous, experimental,  something that simply lifts a generic envelope or postcard into something "a little bit more."  Playing with decorating envelopes or postcards offers a freedom from judgement which is so much fun. Not all of the resulting pieces are what I hoped for, of course, so it is mportant to keep in mind that playing is fun and that experimenting with techniques doesn't have to produce great art work ('cause that is never gonna happen with me).  If the process satisfies me, the product has to take second place.  

Some interesting letter and mail art sites:

A Photo Pool on Flickr where various mail artists post their creations
Another Flickr Group   I love the stamp heads
More Images  

Kikifaitsomeblog2
Letter Matters
Annie (freezeframe) -- does all kinds of cool crafting including mail art, cards, tags, and fabric postcards to die for

Thanks to all of you who emailed me addresses.  
I promise to mail you something in February, but 
**warning**
--don't expect the caliber of some of the above folks!

Here are a few places with good ideas for techniques, especially for art journals, but can be used in such a variety of ways:

Diana Trout
Roben-Marie
Dina Wakely

11 comments:

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    1. :) I just need to clear out a space to keep working, but I am having some childish delight even in the mess!

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  2. Wow, you're back on a roll! Great links, thanks for those...I've subscribed to Annie's, love her work. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Too many ideas can be almost as frustrating as too few! Annie is inspiring, isn't she?

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    2. Thank you both for your kind words for me work...which is really just play.

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  3. LOVE your Friday thoughts! I am right now sitting in a total mess myself. I hate it, but it still doesn't distract me. I get too focused on the project and don't see a thing else...thank goodness. I'm honored to be in your list. And humbled by the kind words from Connie. Thank you so much Jen!

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    1. I'm glad to have the Month of Letters challenge because it has spurred another round of activity after a long fallow spell. Finding creative inspiration keeps my mind in gear--so thanks for your inspiration, Annie!

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  4. Your creativity knows no limitations! I love that!

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    1. Shucks, Rian! Jack of All Trades, Master of None, but enjoying it. Your latest art quilt has me in awe!

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  5. Sounds like fun. You ought to post photos of your work space, I bet that, too, would be interesting!

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    1. :) I thought about taking pics of the chaos, but chickened out. It is pretty scary because I'm working on painting, stitching, cutting, choosing, pasting, etc.--all at the same time. Maybe I will take some pictures after all. Will issue a warning, though!

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Good to hear from you!