Smooth as Silk
June 5, 2009 by Janice · 3 Comments
I spent yesterday processing some hand painted silks. Just washing them, softening them, and hanging them up to dry in the gentle breeze. It was a beautiful temperate day. Not yet too hot. Mild, breezy. Just right. So I took Hugh Macleod’s new book out on the patio too, to read while the silks and the color danced in the wind around me. It was nice in the shade. Light filtered through the trees. Birds chirped. Yep. Nice.
That’s what creativity looks like sometimes.
Hugh’s book is called Ignore Everybody and 39 Other Keys to Creativity, and no, no this isn’t a review. But one thing Hugh does very well is he keeps things simple. So I am serving up some simple today. Because I want this mail art project we have going on to go as smooth as silk for you. And it will. Cause I have your back if you get stuck.
Last Friday, I mentioned stamps. You have to pick some out that you want to come from you and go out to the others on that list you’ll be getting soon.
Today, all you have to do is consider and round up the cards you’ll use. Buy them, make them, recycle something you have. It doesn’t really matter. If the post office will mail it, you can use it. The size needs to be about 4″ x 6″. That’s all. And you’ll need at least a dozen. More if you want to play and then select your favorites to send out.
That’s it. Simple.
The confidential list with the addresses and an email on what to do is going out soon. ( I am waiting on three addresses, we have very busy creative people on this list. ) And I am available to anyone who has a question, or wants to sound out an idea, or will this work, what if I am doing that, or sheesh I am not an artist, what am I going to do? Just put it in the comments, tweet, or email me. I really don’t like the phone…maybe later, but not just yet.
I’ll be getting my cards ready, that 45 or so is not a small number.. but I have a plan…and a thing…you’ll see.
And it is Friday, so we all know the drill…Naughty limes to cut up and toss in a chilly little pool of Patron. See? Smooth as silk. That’s what creativity can look like sometimes. Just one thing, then the next, then another.
How about you, things going smoothly? Has summer caught up with you yet? Giving yourself some breathing space while you work?
Have a good weekend. Cut up some limes, sit in the breeze, or do something gentle for yourself.
Snail Mail Art Stamps and Margaritas
May 29, 2009 by Janice · 3 Comments
We have a small group of really cool people who are doing a snail mail art postcard project with me. Today’s the deadline to confirm by emailing me the physical address you want the group to use for you. You can see some of the crazy brave players in the comments here. They are my new favorite people in the world. And it’s actually easy and fun. The post office is going to do half your work.
See. Look in the photo. These are stamped postcards I’ve gotten from all over the world. Finland is pretty cool. Subtle . And Russian is very bold. Tokyo likes lots of variety and little extra non postal stamps too. It’s a thing they do. The starfish is from Grand Isle, the only inhabited barrier Island off of the coast of Louisiana. They don’t take up that much space, but it is really beautiful space.
Anyway, if you’re going to do this project here’s step one:
Confirm by sending me the where we are going to send you our art. Privacy will be respected. This is a closed group of friendly respectful people with the same concerns that you have so not to worry.
And you could start picking out your stamps. What will you choose? What will your stamps look like. You can see them online you know. We’ll need international ones to get our art across an ocean, or several regular ones will do.
What else could I do?
You could also get your refrigerator door ready for the show you’re going to have there as these start coming to you in July. Or plan just which shelf to display them on. Dust off your mail box, make sure the hinges work, or the slot is not nailed shut on your door. Or probably just get your head around the concept that people are going to send you a little bit of fun in the mail in exchange for you sending them some.
Easy.
Not too much.
And no pressure.
Now here’s where the margaritas come in. It’s Friday. I’ve had a full week and I have to go round up all of these addresses. And we have new margarita glasses for the patio…so I am slicing up some limes. Naughty is scheduled around five this afternoon.. hm… maybe sooner.
One more thing.
What if you aren’t in this group? How did you miss it? Well it’s limited to about a dozen. We may have a couple of slots. If you want in and I don’t know it yet, ask me. Either in the comments or through the contact page. Easy peasy.
Now … I must go herd some kittens… the artist smiles and wiggles… she is very very excited about this. How about you? Did you have a good week? Do you like getting snail mail?