Alrighty Then - Some Mail Art

(Click image for a closer look.)

Hmm-m-m-m, maybe I'm just easing back into doing some art by sending off mail art?? Well, that will work. I had some things to send to art  buddies, winners of prizes, and folks who wanted books and calendars, etc. Whew! I think I've caught up now with the mail.

Do you recognize the image on the envelope above ? I cropped my October page for the Arte Ed Anima 2008 Calendar. Then I opened it in Photoshop to take the color out and modified it to look like a large rubber stamp image. I brayered ink onto the manilla envelope for a background and then did a water/inkjet transfer of the image onto the envelope. Then I finished the whole thing with some collage pieces, markers, pen, pencil, and postage stamps. If I remember correctly, the post office clerk put two big red hand cancels on the stamps. If I get a scan from Sandi, I'll post it so you can see how it looked when she got it. Meanwhile, here is the back of the envelope:

(Click image for a closer look.)

You know what it is like to be working on a piece of art and have it go bad? So you do more to it and sometimes that fixes it. But for me with the envelope below, no matter what I did, it made it worse. I think the way it ended up is way too busy and not well composed. I like the colors ok but I think the background called for a much simpler design. Since I didn't have the time to start over, I just went with it. Hope the recipient wasn't too put off by it. It's the thought that counts, right?

The one below was done at about the same time. It, too, is too busy but the composition had potential. I just should have stopped adding to it long before I did. LOL.

Well, after those fiascoes, I took a break and when I got back to mail art to finish out the mailings, I was in a totally different mood. I got off on a Nick Bantock jag. I wanted to do some of those African women collages. I will post the results tomorrow. They turned out much better. Whew! sometimes I worry that I've lost it and will never be able to get it together again. Ever feel that way?

Comments

[Mieke]

Wow So Nice and beautiful colors!!

[robruhn]

Love your mail art Sally, they should be in a frame and hanging on the wall.
Ro
xo

[Sharon at Norah'S]

Put off! are you kidding me? I loved the envelope, couldn't see a thing wrong with it. You have the best real postage. I am declaring (for myself) March to be "March Mail Art Month".
Can't wait to see your Nick Bantock inspired pieces.
Oh yes, I still haven't tried the water/ink jet transfer. I clicked back over to reread and think I will incorporate the process into my weekend ART.
Have a great weekend.

[Julie Prichard]

This is some of the most magnificent mail art I have ever seen! I need to step it up over here! Thank you for the glorious inspiration!!

[Sandi(sugarbushfarm)]

WOW Sally! I don't know if I'm more excited about winning the calendar or receiving this gorgeous mail art!!! Honestly, I think the mail art wins!!! LOL Right now my scanner won't play nice with Windows Vista, but I'll try to get a scan somehow. Can't wait!!!!!

[DebbieM]

Your question as to feeling as though you've lost your touch, is one that I can totally relate to. I have been experiencing that lately both with my art and my cooking. Nothing seems to be working out the way it should. Art-wise, I am trying a different medium. Switching back and forth between collage and digital collage seems to be helping somewhat. Not too sure what to do about the cooking though... I may just decide to declare a kitchen strike and refuse to cook until my "mojo" is back! Looking forward to seeing your Nick Bantock style stuff.

[Seth]

These are all quite amazing. The details, the layers, and the blending of the colors are all so intriguing.