"Inspired by...." postcard swap - Due May 19th

Here’s one I hope you’ll have fun with.

Choose a favorite artist and create a postcard in the style of his or her work. 

You can interpret your artist as literally or as loosely as you want.

You could re-create a famous painting. (want to try your hand at the Mona Lisa?) or interpret a famous painting using a different technique (Starry night in torn paper, perhaps?)

You could adopt another artist’s technique (want to fling some paint like Jackson Pollack?  Or use paper cut-outs like Matisse?)

You could focus on an artist’s favorite subject matter or motif.  (How about some giant flowers like Georgia O’Keeffe?)

  

The possibilities are endless.

Use any materials you want, but try to capture the essence of your artist’s style in some way.

The artist can be famous, or rather unknown.  It’s up to you.  Just be sure to write on the back of the postcard which artist you chose, and perhaps share a few words about why you chose this person, or how you approached this challenge.

Swap details:

• You may submit as many as  four cards  (you will get back the same number you send)(you can interpret the same artist multiple times, or create a card for several different artists)

• if you're sending me more than one, please make sure you insert waxed paper or parchment in between the cards so they don't get stuck together in the envelope

• write “MMSA inspired by…” on the back of your card to remind your recipient why they are receiving this wonderful work of art in the mail

• write your return address on the back of the postcard (in case of postal delivery problems) and your email address so the recipient can thank you. 

• Add a note on the back explaining which artist you are interpreting.

• include a mailing label with your name and address for each card you create
  (I will attach them to the cards I mail back to you)

• Please attach the proper postage to your postcard (see below for postal guidelines).  If you don’t have any stamps and it’s difficult for you to get some, go ahead and send me money instead.  You can stick cash in the envelope, or send it to me via paypal (iamrushmore@gmail.com)

• international swappers are welcome - the postage cost is $1.15 per card (paypal account is iamrushmore@gmail.com)

Postage and Card Size
You are welcome to make any size postcard you want, but please pay attention to the following postal guidelines

• In order to use the postcard rate ($.34) your card cannot be bigger than 4.25 x 6 inches, and it must be thin and flexible.  A 4x6 card that is thick, lumpy or doesn't bend, needs more postage

• If your card is a rectangle bigger than a postcard, but still flat and flexible, a regular "forever" ($.49 ) stamp is what you need.

• If your card is an unusual shape (square, round) or is flexible but has some lumpy embellishments it will probably cost you the "non machinable" rate of $.70

• If your card doesn't bend at all, the post office considers it a package and you should go get it weighed to figure out the proper postage.

You can find all the postal specifications (and a handy postage calculator) here:  http://postcalc.usps.gov/

Mail your cards no later than May 19th. (I don’t need to receive them by the 19th, they need to be postmarked by the 19th.)

Karen Isaacson
PO Box 532
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
United States