APRIL SHOWERS/MAY FLOWERS - Part 4

Three from Anna R:

Three from Janet R:

Four from Jovanna:

Dendritic Patterns Post Card Swap - Postmark by May 21st

For the background or main elements in this paint technique swap, use patterns made by "smooshing paint drops" between two non-porous surfaces, i.e. clear lucite container lids, a mirror, or a smooth glass or plastic cutting board. 

CAUTION:  Please do not use thin plate glass, we do not want any cuts fingers or other injuries while making art...

You will end up with two mirror-image designs each time, unlike mono-printing which results in only one unique print.

Liquid craft acrylic paints work for me.  I don't know if other types of paint would give the same results or not.  

After I drop paint on one surface and cover it with another, I press with my thumb or finger to make the drops or drizzles spread out.  

Then I carefully separate the two layers and lay a piece of paper or cardstock on each paint design, pressing gently to pick up the paint.  Don't move the paper around or you will lose the patterns.

You can create a scene using the dendritic shapes as a background, or you can make the shapes and then cut them up and use them as flower petals, leaves, trees, balloons, abstract designs, etc.  

You can also layer several different dendritic patterns on one piece of paper like I did on the red, white, gold and black sample below.  Let your imagination take off!  

  Gently press paper onto paint patterns.
Do NOT rub paper around or you will lose the patterns.

It's okay to add other elements to your piece of mail art as long as the dendritic designs don't get buried.

APRIL SHOWERS/MAY FLOWERS - Part 3

Four from Cheryl Mc:

Four from Yayoi:

Sketchbook Inspiration

I was just made aware of an opportunity for free online classes to encourage artists to start or develop the habit of sketching to boost creativity.  I'm told that there are two sessions a day with various teachers and they have already started.  If you would like to check it out, here are two links:

https://www.karenabend.com/sketchbook-revival/

https://www.karenabend.com/sketchbook-revival/schedule/

APRIL SHOWERS/MAY FLOWERS - Part 2

Four from Ellen:

Four from Sarah C:

Three from Wanda:

Altered Faces Post Card Swap - Postmark by May 7th, 2018

When a similar swap was active in June-July of 2016 (search "FACES" in the Archived Swaps), I thought the results were a bit weird.  But now that I have made a few cards, I sort of like the effect.  

As you can see, I "played it safe" and didn't go too wild with it. Splicing collages for a mix-and-match effect wasn't as easy as I had thought it would be!!!  You don't have to use the same technique or approach.  Just have fun with it!


As for media, you may use collage, paint, ink, pen/pencil or any combinations to alter face images.  

Summary

THEME:  FACES
MEDIA:  any
TECHNIQUE: any
SIZE PARAMETERS:  6" x 4+1/4"
CHECKLIST:

• AS MANY SELF-ADDRESS LABELS AS PIECES YOU EXPECT TO RECEIVE BACK
• SUFFICIENT POSTAGE FOR EACH PIECE YOU SEND IN
• WAXED PAPER, PARCHMENT OR CELLOPHANE BETWEEN EACH PIECE
• YOUR RETURN ADDRESS ON EACH PIECE YOU SEND IN
• WRITE "MMSA - ALTERED FACES " on the side you write on anyway, not the on art side

*****ANYTHING LARGER THAN POST CARD SIZE LIMITS WILL REQUIRE AT LEAST 50-CENTS LETTER RATE POSTAGE.*****

*****ANYTHING THICKER THAN SEVERAL LAYERS OF INDEX CARD, ANYTHING TOO STIFF TO BEND EASILY, DESIGNS WITH ART EXTENDING OVER THE EDGES, POST CARDS ENCASED IN CELLOPHANE SLEEVES, WILL REQUIRE AT LEAST 71-cents  "NON-MACHINABLE" POSTAGE***** 

Put your card(s) in an envelope and 
get into the mail no later than May 7th.
SEND TO:
H. Chassin

Post Office Box 142
Freedom, New York State  14065  
USA

QUESTIONS?  s.h.greenstamps@juno.com

SAMPLE MAIL ART SWAP POST CARD TEMPLATE:


SWAPPING GUIDELINES:

• You may send in as many as four cards unless specified by the swap host.  (You will get back the same number you send, each from a different artist).

• Your cards will be mailed to your host in an envelope, and your host will mail them as-is to other swappers.  International swappers may request to have them all mailed together in one envelope.

• If you're sending more than one, please make sure you insert waxed paper, parchment or cellophane between the cards so they don't get stuck together in the envelope, especially if you use glue, paint or sealant.

• Write “MMSA -  ALTERED FACES" on the back of each card and attach your return address in the UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER in case of postal delivery problems.  Including an email address legibly written would make it easier for your recipient to thank you.

• LEAVE SPACE FOR THE "ADDRESS TO" LABELS WHICH YOUR SWAP HOST WILL ATTACH
• Include a mailing label with your name and address for each card you expect to receive back.
  (Your host will attach them to the swapped cards she mails to you)
•  Please include the proper postage in the envelope or adhere stamps to your postcards (see below for postal guidelines)
• Postcards made from thicker cardboard (therefore stiff/not easily bendable)  will need nonmachinable postage.  Thank you.

POSTAGE AND CARD SIZE

• In order to use the postcard rate ($.35) your card cannot be bigger than 6"
   x  4+1/4", and it must be thin and flexible.  A card that is larger, thick, lumpy or doesn't bend, will require nonmachinable postage.   

Cards smaller than 3+1/2" x 5" may also require nonmachinable postage.

• If your card is an unusual shape (square, round) or is flexible but has some lumpy embellishments it will probably cost you the "nonmachinable" rate of $.71

• If your card is very thick,  heavy and doesn't bend at all, the post office may consider it a package and you should get it weighed and measured to figure out the proper postage.

INTERNATIONAL SWAPPERS - contact the swap host regarding using PayPal to cover return mailing postage, or make other arrangements.

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

APRIL SHOWERS/MAY FLOWERS - Part 1

Two from Anna R:

Four from Cathy I: 

One from Kathy M:

Four from Rose:

Year of the Bird - Part 7

Four from Susan H: