Postal art inbox Apr 28

Ive been away a few days to the coast, and while I was gone these cards came to my inbox. The card with the family and happy face is from the always amazing Robert Schmidt. She and most of the other artists decorate both sides of their cards. I'm only showing one side here. Norma Soulet sent the mermaid card in the art envelope that is shown with it. A double treat. Norma and I are becoming online friends and I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future.
Here is where you can find her blog.
The Paris post card is from Carroll Woods.
I found her through the Good Mail Day folks and am glad I reached out as I love her works. The card with the striped border is from Maria Moesch, one of the California Art Girls. I''m showing both sides as they are so different from each other. It came in a clear envelope which cleverly had my name and address right over the little house.

Easter post cards

Here are a couple of pieces made for easter . Post cards of course.

Easter comes by mail

I separated the Easter cards from the others so here are pics of some of them. Cat Jackson made the one with rik rak and the little bunny in the egg. Sally Peters did the amazing folding dimensional card. The post card is from the Antique Gardener shop in Sutter Creek, and the victorian card was sent by Pat Schmidt. Thanks Ladies. I love them all. The rabbit post card from Sally Peters arrived later but I wanted to keep it here with the others. Soon as I find the one Nancy sent me, I"ll post it too.

Incoming mail

I have some more new mail art to show you this morning. Still a bit chilly to work outside - but a good time to scan and share.

The front and back are shown of the Yosemite card from Joanna. We met years ago when she was doing some research on John Muir, and we have been art friends ever since. I"m so glad she exchanges mail art with me. The Asian inspired card is from Pamela. The card was made by Karen Foster. it came in an envelope as it would have been ruined traveling naked though the mail system. The last post card was sent by Linda Levine, who is someone with whom I used to exchange artwork in decos. I hadn't heard from her in ages. I' really glad to know she's still out there and maybe we can do some more exchanges.

Mail art - in box - envelope w stamps

This is an envelope I received. I love the assortment of stamps sent by Kathy C. in New Phila. OH. I had not seen the law and order stamp before.

Mail art - in box

These are some of the goodies I've received this week in the mail. The cathedral is in Montana where Gin G. was visiting. She knew I'd like it. I didnt' know there was anything like that in Montana. It's certainly not rustic, like I would expect. The loyal friend is from Linda Giese from El Cajon. The two shown together are from Mari Ruth in Palo Alto. The cowgirl is from Bobbi Gardner in Acampo, one of my best buddies. That cunning face on black background is from Barb Schwartz, right here in Stockton. Paris is from Norma Soulet in Florida, and the L'Hotel card was altered by Pam Vane from Oakdale. Didn't I get a mail box full of delightful things?

Prayer flags

The Lodi Mixed Media Group is making prayer flags. One member, Barbara had gone to an art retreat and she came home with some to show us, then started making more since she enjoyed them so much. So, I got inspired to dig out some old canvas and make a few for myself. Here are the first ones. Very rustic, but they suit my garden just fine. These are pretty subdued. Tomorrow I plan to go wild with color. We'll see.

Circus in mail box

Pat Schmidt sent me the coolest circus post card. Here are the pics. Don't you love it?

One stamp post cards

I found a stamp in my collection that I had never used. It was misfiled in the circus packet. The same day I came across a couple of post card books in the studio. I thought I'd combine the two things. The post cards are from "Expressionism" by Magna Books, and "Ernie's Post Card Book" by tony Mendoza put out by Capra Press in Santa Barbara. I didn't want to cover the images entirely, so instead used stamps, rubber and postage, with a few clippets. Here are a few of them.

Three of the paintings are by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, the one with the golden retriever is by Erihc Heckel.

Now, who will I send these to? Hmmmmm.... That's part of the fun of mail art. Who would appreciate these? It makes me think of each person and their likes and dislikes. The golden retriever HAS to go to friend Jill, who lost her beloved Max last spring. She will appreciate the good old boy.

Send in the clowns

I"m working on a series of circus inspired post cards. I needed a piece to work o n at the Senior Center where a group paints together. So I decided to paint a clown face. I layered on masking tape coated it with a light layer of liquid gesso, and then drew on the face with charcoal. A little colored pencil and some liquid acrylic paint (titan buff) and I had a face. Here he is. I've made some minor changes since this was taken, but essentially this is it.

Play day in Lodi

Today the group of 12 mixed media ladies made accordion fold decos, which we passed around the table, each person working on a page in each book. Here are pics of mine with everyone's work showing. We limited the time each person would have a book. Five minutes or six if needed and soon people got into the pace so we had 12 people at 5 minutes a page - done in an hour. It was a wonderful way to spend the morning and each person got to take home a bit of everyone's art.

Collaborating with Susanne

Guess what showed up in my mail box? A holy cow post card I sent Susanne a couple months ago, with some additions to it. I'll add more to it and send it back to her. Here is the way it looks now.

In box Mail call

Two friends sent post cards that arrived yesterday. Here are the pics. Barbara sent the handdrawn figure. Pretty cute, huh? On the back of the card a rubber stamps says " Time and Trouble may tame a wild young woman, but a wild old woman is uncontrollable by any force.

The second card is from my artpal Jackie, whose cards always make you pause and think. This is another good example of using a transfer. Thanks gals.

Collaborative post card

Here is the card that just came in from Punwit. Now, it's my turn to add to it and return it to him. Hmmmmm.... it's hard to think what to do when it's pretty well covered with images.

The large images are after i did my damage. They are on their way back to Punwit now.

Look What Roberta sent.

This post card came in Apr. 1st mail. The only fun thing that arrived. You can see more of her work here. Thanks, R. This was a fun one.