As promised, it's the triumphant return of Mail Art Mondays,
and in honor of our recent superhero theme we are featuring origin stories.
How did you get your start in mail art?
and in honor of our recent superhero theme we are featuring origin stories.
How did you get your start in mail art?
When I started dabbling in art a few years ago, I was compelled by the idea of art journals, and was trying my hardest to fill a sketchbook with paint smeared pages and meaningful words.
I enjoyed playing with the techniques, but couldn't find a journaling groove.
And I didn't really like working in a book. I was working on loose bits of card-stock and paper and gluing them into journals.
I'm not exactly sure when it first dawned on me that I could take those loose pieces and turn them into postcards, but it was exactly what I needed.
I dug through the archives of my blog, and found my first post about mail art - I wrote about opening my Post Office box (May 2011) and sending my first mail.
Interestingly, one of the very first things I sent is still among my favorites:
For me, there is tremendous joy in creating, but there is even greater joy in connecting.
I could satisfy my need to practice and grow as an artist by creating on small bits of cardboard, and make new friends at the same time? WIN!
Even though I was a fledgling artist, and a bit shy about showing my work to others in my real life, I had no qualms about dropping it in the mail to a total stranger.
Because seriously, who doesn't like to get mail?
I know I've said this here before, but no one has ever opening their mailbox to find a sincere note on a handmade postcard and turned up their nose.
Handmade mail is a joy to receive, no matter what it looks like.
Here are some early (and ongoing!) influences and sources of inspiration:
Like many other new mail artists, finding the book "Good Mail Day" was a life changer.
It took me to the respective websites of the authors, Jennie Hinchcliff and Carolee Gilligan Wheeler,
and the Good Mail Day website provided my first list of addresses of kindred spirits.
Links on those above websites led me to Pamela and her blog Cappuccino and art Journal.
I sent her mail, and not only did she write back, she put a picture of it on her blog. Imagine! I had no idea!
I was hooked, and there was no looking back.
I was hooked, and there was no looking back.
It's been two and a half years since I mailed my first piece of art, and
I've grown and changed a lot. I create almost every single day, even
if it's only for a few minutes, and I'd say 90% of what I make gets
mailed. I've met some amazing people. Some I've only interacted with a
few times, some have become close friends. Each encounter has enriched
my life.
So now it's your turn. Tell us how you got your start in mail art.
What was your inspiration?
Who influenced you?
Any good stories about the first things you sent or received?
How has it changed you?
If you've got a blog post, add a link.
If you don't, just share your stories in the comments.
And if you haven't started sending mail art yet,
what are you waiting for?
Hop right over to our own address list, and just start mailing.
Because as Pamela always says,