 I recently started a mail art project called "CowParade: Mail-Art Style." The project came about when I started to make 4' x 6' collages using cow images sourced from a thrifted book, CowParade New York, by Thomas Craughwell (2000). I ended up making twelve cow collages, and I sent them to mail artists who are active in 'mail art cow groups' on either IUOMA.ning or Facebook. Along with a collage, each recipient has been given a cow image cut from the same book. I have asked them to create a piece of cow art to sent back to me.  CowParade: Mail-Art Style - letter to the project recipients
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Here are postcards I received from the FAB Richard C. in 2020: Richard C. Mail Art (April 17, 2020)    Gotta say, I love this fun and witty postcard from Richard C. (and Baby Ruth)! At first glance one may get the idea that it's a photo from a grocery store ad, but I understood what was going on from the get-go. Look at the name of each of the products and you will understand.
The backside of the postcard reads, Family Portrait, 1976-79. Mixed Media, Life size. Left to right: Little Debbie; Grandma; Kitty; Dad & Mom; Uncle Ben; Aunt Jemima and Baby Ruth. I just noticed today, almost five months since receiving the card, that Richard C. is credited with creating the portrait. Neat!! See photo above. In 2020 the Lyons' Den has received mail from a new correspondent - Olivia Arrow (Chicago, Il). . Mail art from Olivia arrived in late April and mid July. Olivia Arrow Mail Art (April 24, 2020)   Olivia, a member of IUOMA-ning, found my name via the CIRCLES group. On April 24 a postcard arrived from Olivia. On the postcard she mentions that it was made for Earth Day / new moon. Olivia Arrow Mail Art (July 16, 2020)       Mail Artist Jimmy Connors (Germany) sent a couple more homemade postcards with his signature 'cut out' windows. The more recent card is featured first. Take a look... Jimmy Connors Mail Art (July 09, 2020)   The 'self portrait' postcard made its way to me on July 9. A collage on front is a composite of images that form an offbeat person. The base of the work is a glossy postcard. Jimmy cuts out several 'windows,' then adds other collage elements. At first glance I thought I was looking at a bandaged head with only the face exposed. Upon further study I realized that the white area is actually a silhouette of a head. It looks like the silhouette of Ray Johnson's head that I've seen elsewhere in the Network. The postcard has a 2019 Deutschland postage stamp featuring Pippi Langstrumpf (Longstocking). As a young girl I enjoyed the Pippi books. On the backside there are words in blue that read, "You can recycle, compost or flush me down the toilet." There is also an image of an old dude holding a jacket. I wonder which image is the self protrait? Jimmy Connors Mail Art (May 28, 2020)   The earlier card arrived on May 28. The larger portion of the piece may be from a clothing catalog cover or something similar. Windows were cut out, and a section of a 'blockhead' postcard was placed over it. Various collage bits and pieces were attached to finish off the piece.
Thanks for the great mail art, Jimmy Connors! Updated: 08-23-20 - Added photos and text for the postcard from July 30, which was initially omitted from the post. In recent months I received a few postcards from Keith Chambers, who also goes by Amalgamated Confusion (Anaheim, CA). The more recent piece is listed first - see below. Mail Art Received August 12, 2020 Postcard shows Amalgamated Confusion as the sender.   This first postcard features "Our Forest Home," art by Keith Chambers.
April 26, 2020: Mail art arrived from my Twin Cities neighbor, Allison Anne - an accomplished collagist and mixed media artist. It is the first ever piece I received from them.  Back of cardboard post card from Allison Anne (Minneapolis, MN) The art piece I received is a cardboard collage card. This 'trashpo' work measures at approximately 6 3/4" x 5 1/4". The postcard is made entirely of layered cardboard scraps. The back of the postcard is made up of larger pieces of cardboard. A mailing address label has been made from an envelope scrap.  Front of postcard, featuring a collage composed of various cardboard odds and ends. Artist: Allison Anne (Minneapolis, MN) Incoming Mail Art from Judy S. and her doggie Joey (Manchester, MO) arrived on May 26, 2020.   Much thanks to Judy S!
Mail Art sent to Jorge Martin (Virginia) on June 10, 2020:  One of my favorite mail pals, Bonniediva (Gurnee, IL) has sent a few mail art pieces between February and July. I decided to feature this mail here. Bonniediva Mail Art (February 8, 2020) Bonnie gave me a "Loved" collage she made with vintage images. Also received some add and pass materials.    Bonniediva Mail Art (May 19, 2020) A couple of add and passes came my way via Gurnee, IL. Bonniediva also sent me another collage made with vintage scrapes. I am happy to report that two zines arrived - BON-ZINE No. 10 (the timely Quaren-zine issue) and a cute CATS ZINE.     Samantha "Sam" Price, a member of the IUOMA-ning family since 2017, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020. Due to a host of health problems, Sam was completely bedridden and hadn't left her bed for over three years.  Mail Artist Sam Price (Nashua, NH) had a wonderful sense of humor. Sam had a wonderful sense of humor. The above screen capture (from her IUOMA profile page) clearing shows what a fun loving gal she was.
As a result of her illness, Sam's world was reduced to a 10 x 10 inch space on her bed. As she said in her IUOMA-ning profile, it's "the same space I eat, sleep & cuddle with my cat on." Mail art afforded Sam the opportunity to communicate with people from around the globe, and thus expanded her world. I'm fortunate to have been one of those folks to correspond with her. |
AuthorJayne Barket Lyons, Mail Artist and Collector of Stuff. Categories
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