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!

Incoming mail: A HANDMADE “MAIL ART” RUBBER STAMP from master stamp carver (and to think he lives in CARVER County Minnesota), Adam Roussopoulos.

I’m looking forward to using the stamp on all my outgoing mail. Love it!

Thanks, Adam! 

Late last year I participated in Sharon Silverman's 2019 50 Mail Art Books project. I discovered the mail art call on IUOMA-ning. Early participants of the project shared photographs and blog posts of their collaborative books on the platform, and I was rather intrigued.

Howdy! The latest mail art from the tremendously talented Bonniediva (Illinois) arrived earlier this month.

The mail was sent in an envelope that was handmade by Bonnie. From what I can tell, a page from an  art publication was used.​

It's awfully annoying to get mail that's been butchered by the postal service - especially a piece of mail art.

​Well, you know what they say, "Sh*t Happens!" Yes, it does happen, but you can't help thinking about the time and care that went into making the mail art. 

Here in the good old U.S. of A, the postal service places damaged mail into a plastic bag. Printed on the bag is the USPS's apology and regret for damaging your mail.


"Dear Postal Customer,
We sincerely regret the damage to your mail during the handling by the Postal Service. We hope this incident did not inconvenience you. We realize that your mail is important to you and that you have every right to expect it to be delivered in good condition."

We can always count on getting Add & Pass sheets from mail artist Ed Giecek.  Most times Ed includes at least one or two sheets that he's created. Who can miss the all-too-familiar "Frum the desk of ed!" at top, or a large stamped image (Ed's own hand carved stamp) that adorns the page.

Ed's recent mailing to me (received in late January) includes three Add and Pass sheets, along with a sticker from The Sticker Dude. 

The front of the sticker features a Taylor guitar headstock. Color photos of the two mail artists are layered over top. The sticker reads, "Taylor Brothers, Mailer Brothers."

The backside has a nice write up about The Sticker Dude's relationship with Ed Giecek. How wonderful that these two have so much in common, and have a friendship that's endured. Take a moment and read it.

Thanks for the mail, Ed!

Some mail artists cringe at the mention of Add & Pass sheets. Others are delighted to receive them, and at times may even volunteer to take some from mail artists who are burdened with piles of them . 

A&Ps are okay by me - they're fun, but my turnaround time is pretty bad. I tend to let them stack up. Months may go by until I get around to adding to and passing them on.

I also enjoy creating my own a&p sheets, collab. books and faux money to circulate throughout the network.  I haven't kept track, so not sure of the number of pieces that are floating around out there. 

To follow are photos of a few that have made their way back home.  

Here is a recent piece I mailed to Richard C. (Illinois). I couldn't resist making something from this recycled pop-tart box.