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. 

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...

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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

Incoming Mail Art from Judy S. and her doggie Joey (Manchester, MO) arrived on May 26, 2020.

Much thanks to Judy S!

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.

Bonnie gave me a "Loved" collage she made with vintage images. Also received some add and pass materials.

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.

Incoming mail art from SUBREAL ALCHEMY, David Stanley Aponte, (Philadelphia, PA) arrived on June 4. David sent a handmade postcard - made with a 4" X 6" piece of corrugated cardboard. 

The front of David's postcard features, what looks like the mythological creature, the Griffin. In case you've forgotten what a griffin is - it's a mythical beast having the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle. Look closer...is the Griffin "flipping the bird?" Haha! 

In late May, mail from Jokie Wilson (California) made its way to the LYONS' DEN post office box.  It's the first mail piece from Jokie, and it comes in the form of a photo postcard.

At first glance I figured it was a photo of a destination in San Francisco, where Jokie lives. Only today did I notice the caption on the flip side of the postcard.

The photograph was taken in front of Claudette's at Riis Park, Rockaway, NY on July 30, 2017.  Claudette's is a casual health-conscious cafe with several locations in the area. 

There's a dude in front of Claudette's with a guitar in hand. That dude is none other than The Sticker Dude, Joel Cohen. After a little sleuth work I discovered that Joel seems to hit the Riis Park Beach every summer (at least he has over the past few years). He strolls from "blanket-to-blanket" entertaining the beachgoers. Sounds like fun! 

The image credit goes to Dozen Fingers Photography. The postcard was printed by Cohen's Ragged Edge Press. ​ The printed sentiment reads, "Mail Art Is Pushing The Envelope." For his part, Jokie Wilson jazzed up the postcard with a variety of rubber stamp images. Gotta love it!

Thanks so much, Jokie X. Wilson! Looking forward to corresponding with you!

Mail Art arrived July 9 from Florida - Norma Soulet (Port Saint Lucie) is the sender.

Norma created a lovely mixed media piece. On a 'Gelli print' postcard, she affixed a die-cut vintage portrait of a young girl. This die-cut (Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Paper Dolls) was one of the goodies I had recently sent to Norma. The sentiment on the card reads "Welcome each day as a fresh new beginning." 

Norma also gifted me with some vintage-inspired ephemera.

I always appreciate mail art from Norma Soulet! Thanks much!