From Experiment to Mail Art

Another somewhat successful experiment turned into mail art for a fellow mail artist.  Still lots to learn!  Which means I hope I end up with more mail art.

I’m sharing the back of this one to share a “nonsense letter”. Of course you can’t write much of a letter on a postcard, but you can still write some nonsense.

And add some Washi Tapes.  I get on as much as I can.  I love that tape of envelope fasteners.  Of course this one was put on upside down.  Didn’t notice the writing before I stuck it down permanently.  I put a bit of glue on each end to make sure my tapes don’t interrupt Mr. Postman’s duties.  So there was no pulling it up to turn it around.

Have you seen those fabulous new Bioluminescent Life postage stamps?  Such fun they are to add to mail!

Happy Mail Day!

February/March 2018 Calendar Journal

February is now history.

I changed the bottom corner as I wasn’t quite happy with what I had.  Of course I proceeded to turn it into a mess that I was even more unhappy with.  Washi Tapes to the rescue!  Like Duct tape they fix everything.  And just like Duct tape they fix everything — sort of.

Anyway, moving on.  March is here now.  I very bravely gave brush lettering a try.  At least it turned out okay enough.

I look forward to Spring right after Fall.  I am not a fan of Winter and cold weather.  So I’m definitely ready for the season change.  Not that it means it will happen in the Midwest according to the calendar, but I’m always hopeful anyway.
Make your days count!

An Art Journal

This is my story of An Art Journal.

Of how and why I started making one.

I love seeing the art journals of artists.  And I always wanted to make one.  BUT first, I never considered myself an artist.  Second, I kept thinking why would I want one?  What would I do with it?  Just leave it on a shelf with no purpose?  No, art journals are not for me.  And that’s how I’ve left it for many years.

However, now that I’ve been being brave and trying different products, supplies and techniques that have always frightened me, I found myself rethinking the art journal thing.  I could use it as a way to first “test” my ability with these foreign products and supplies.  AND a way to finish up using leftover paint because I squeezed out more than I actually needed.  (Hate just tossing it out!)

I bought this book.  8.5” length X 6” width.

I bravely began testing.  Knowing I could always rip out the page and make it disappear within seconds.

I always hate it when those tests come out looking better than the real piece.  (Not necessarily in this case that you see here).  This truly was a testing ground.   

Then after I was finished testing, I have kind of challenged myself to create an art journal page with what ended up on that test page.  I did struggle towards the end of this page to make it into a keeper rather than rip the page out and tear it up.

This kind of art stuff (anything that has to do with painting) does NOT come easily to me.  I really have to work at it and in the end I either get lucky or I rip it up for the trash bin.

And I mean it about getting lucky.  Nothing with paper ever turns out how it looks in my mind.  In my mind I’m a wonderful artist.  Everything turns out just as I imagine it will.  LOL. In real life, if it’s a keeper, I got lucky.  (Sheila, is that what you mean by the supplies did all the work?) (Renee, Gesso and I are still not friends.  But I’m determined to figure out how to become friends!)

But now I’ve gone back to thinking, what do I do with it?  I feel like art needs to be seen or shared.  Closing the book and leaving it on a shelf just doesn’t work for me.

I’ve come to the conclusion that at some point when I’m ready to let go of a page, I can cut it into a postcard or greeting card and send it out into the world of mail art.  Now it has a purpose!  Now I can sit it on a shelf knowing I can chop it up whenever I want to.  See how I worked that out for myself?  LOL 

That’s my Art Journal story and I’m stickin’ to it!

Experiment Mail Art

Yes, I’m still experimenting with inks and acrylic paints and now modeling paste.  Then rubber stamping on top of those mediums.  

Isn’t that an awesome postage stamp from Finland?!  I love it and it needed to be in a piece of mail art.  

There is a new supply of skinny Washi Tapes in my supplies.

Beacause I didn’t already have enough?

Washi Tape is a weakness for me!  A very happy weakness. *snicker*

Birthday Mail Art

Another very special birthday has come around that fast moving calendar.  For this mixed media card I dug into my selvage and trim stashes.  Did a bit of sewing them onto scrapbook paper.  Then added a Tim Holtz paper doll and typed and stamped the sentiment.

Then an artsy envelope was required.  I have not altered an envelope in quite some time.  So that was fun.

I especially have not altered an envelope back in an even longer time.  I’m fairly certain I went back later to add an edge to the “Letter” letters so that they stood out better.  But failed to update with a photo.  Not important, don’t sweat the small stuff...right?

Since I indicated on the envelope outside that there was a letter inside (not just a card), I did actually write a letter.  That also felt wonderful to do.  It was a nonsense letter as we email often.  That doesn’t leave a lot to say in a letter.  One must be a bit creative when writing a nonsense letter.  I’ll be working more on that idea.

A very Happy Birthday wish to you Sheila!