Speaking of Art in the Mail . . .

(Click image for larger view.)

The mood for doing mail art has hit me again. I can hardly stand to send off an envelope without art on it. The envelope above was sent along with a letter to register for Susan Lenart Kazmer's art retreat in Seattle. When I do an envelope front, I sometimes try to make the compostion so that it accomodates the post office cance that will come when it is mailed. In the example above, I figured that the cancel over the two stamps (among the faux stamp-looking pictures) on the right would help to balance the dark spots on the left. Do you wonder what the back of the envelope looks like? Here ya go:

Once in a while, I design stationery to use with an envelope. In this case, I was sending only a note and a check so I did a page of stationery to use for writing the note:

Here is a set I did to send to my friend Deryn:

Isn't it funny how you want art meant for a friend to be spectacular but that is exaclty the time it doesn't turn out close to spectacular? I'm not crazy about the envelope that went to Deryn. The stationery was ok but I couldn't seem to let go enough for the envy to take on a special look. See, when I do mail art, I'm usually divorced from the final product. I just slap on a background and then start gluing on elements - designing as I go. When I want a piece to be extra good, though, I tend to plan it out more and that usually ruins it for me. My intuitive mind is much better at mail art than my rational mind! Go figure. Here are a couple more mail art envelopes I've done:

To see more of my mail art, check out my PictureTrail.

Comments

[Ro Bruhn]

These are great pieces Sally
The envelopes at the bottom are my favourites with all that colour.
I love the idea of the personalized paper.
Ro

[Sharon at Norah'S]

Hi Sally,
I absolutely love love your mail art. I know what you mean about your "intuitive mind" doing the best job.

[debtrotter]

Only YOu could take such care to design the mail that goes off to your lucky recipients! I love these! And by the way, aren't you a lucky Duck to be attending Susan's workshop. What a perfect place for the workshop and to stay! Sounds wonderful. I can't wait to hear all about it upon your return.
Deb

[Maija]

Wow! Fabulous mail art Sally!

[Charlotte Kemsley]

Ooooh, these are deli-licious!!! Funny how these things go round and you feel like doing them again, isn't it? Since I'm so bad at giving away anything I've made (since it usually takes me so darn long to do it!!!) I think I'd have to just send them to myself to get the cancellation stamps and all (not) LOL! How sad am I! Though I know *exactly* what you mean about the 'going with the flow' thing - whenever I try and think hard, just fall flat on my face:-( And lastly.... wouldn't it be wonderful if *all* your mail came in mail art form?? ESPECIALLY bills!! That would take out the sting a little bit, wouldn't it?

Hugs, Lolly xxx

[Deryn Mentock]

Well!! I loved my envelope AND my special stationary! Thank you Miss Sally!

[Megan Pickwell]

I would just love to opn the mailbox and find a letter like that - they are so special.
meganx

[Karen Ouellette]

Love your envelopes Sally,love how that creative mind of yours works!!
Hugs, Karen!

[katie]

i love your mailart, sally! what lucky friends who recieve them :-)
i TOTALLY relate to how when you're doing art for a friend (or family member too, in my case) i try too hard and it's not nearly as good as when i'm just doing it for the fun of it. i think that's why i rarely do art for specific people intentionally. i'm glad to know i'm not alone in this.
i'm so sorry to hear about your family's loss of your Aunt Betty - she sounds like one great lady!
xox katie