I recently took part in a postcard swap organized by Kat Sloma along with 216 other artists around the world. The general idea was for any visual artist of any medium to take photographs of their art (or if their photographs are their art) and have postcards made either of a variety of images or just one. We each sent 5 postcards to Kat and she sent each participant 5 postcards from other artists plus one from herself.
Can you imagine the excitement waiting to see whose art and what type of postcard would come in the mail? Checking the mailbox each day became such an adventure and was always full of anticipation. I love opening the mailbox finding a real piece of mail, from an actual person (artist) including a handwritten message — what a treat. The blog hop mentioned above is like a finale for the swap so a link appears at the end of this post should you wish to visit other participants also blogging about their participation in the swap.
Each of the postcards I chose to send were entirely different from each other (and sorry I didn’t photograph them before sending them out). Since each one was unique in its image, I chose to write a unique message on the back of each one as well. So far, however, I have not heard back from anyone who received one of my postcards. A bit disappointing but those whose postcards I received made up for that disappointment. If you did receive one of my postcards please don’t be shy — say “Hi”. {UPDATE: I found one! One of the lovely recipients posted my postcard on her blog! I see the card was a bit damaged in transit but that adds character.} It was delightful and surprising to see each postcard — and in one case, to actually feel the postcard — what a unique experience. So here are the unique works of art on postcard that I received:
First to arrive: This beauty from Natasha Papousek of musingsofahennaphile. Natasha wrote an inspirational quote on her postcard plus this message: “My art made it to you! And I hope it makes you smile.” It certainly did. Natasha actually added a textural element to her postcard by adding the little gold glittery dots. I still run my fingers over the card to feel it. That is art to enjoy visually and texturally.
Second to arrive: A lovely photographic work of art by Mel of ispeakmelsh all the way from the UK. On the back was an inspirational quote plus a lovely and meaningful handwritten message. Thank you Mel. I love the bold colours on her art.
Third to arrive: A unique work of art from William Charlebois titled, “Abercrombie Moose”. When I visited his website, I could see he has a very unique style and, being very familiar with moose, was pleased to receive this particular work of art. This is art that makes a person smile — and muse a bit too.
Fourth to arrive: This cute little red head from fellow Flickr-ite Carola Bartz. I’ve always been intrigued by red heads and the gal Carola painted causes me to grin each time I see her. Carola wrote a lovely Eleanor Roosevelt quote in her own handwriting. This particular postcard has a bit of a story. I had the postcard for a couple days already and while spreading the postcards out I noticed something on the surface of this one. When I looked closely, I could see there were lip marks on the face of the red head. Yes, no kidding! Someone along the way must have loved the painting by Carol Bartz and actually kissed the postcard but left behind very distinct lipstick marks with their lipstick!
The fifth postcard to arrive: This artistic photographic art from Duck Island Guy. He wrote one of my favourite quotes by Marcel Proust in his own handwriting on the reverse. Check out his website for more interesting photographic art. The method he uses to enhance his art certainly makes a person want to look deeper but I can’t help but be drawn to those dramatic clouds and the couple on the beach.
The final postcard to arrive was from Kat Sloma, who organized and did all the work putting this together for all of us. It’s titled, “Adorned and Alone”. Isn’t it a beauty? I love how she has adorned the tree with the blocks of watercolour — Kat is a very inspiring artist. Thank you Kat for all you’ve done once again in getting artists together to liberate their art and share in this exciting project.
Talk about a handful of unforgettable art and I was fortunate to receive each one. Each year Kat creates a video using one image from each artist — the video alone is beautiful and incredibly inspiring. Don’t miss her video. I just watched it and the art will amaze and inspire you — I promise. One of my postcards is featured at exactly the 1:00 minute mark at the beginning (the one of the swans). I’m going to let Kat tell you about the video because she explains it so well:
“Enjoy this year’s video, which includes one piece of art from every participant. The collection is an amazing tribute to the individuality and expression that comes through art. (Be sure to watch it in HD if you can, it looks awesome! Also note that there is a pause partway through, as the songs change, so don’t stop watching too early.)”
The thumbnails below allow you to hop around to many of the blogs belonging to the participants who, like me, will show you the art they received and likely tell you something about it.
Diane, I do still have some postcards left, and I would be happy to send one to you in Vancouver (One of my favorite places!) Just send me your mailing address and I’ll send you some Beauty-by-Mail Liberate Your Art Post Cards. Cheers!–Michele at Sweet Leaf
You received some great ones. I love the way you’ve presented them.
I love the postcards you got! One was from my friend, Bill, so I am biased! 😉
They are all wonderful. I wish I could see your postcards. I still have not found mine yet either.
They’re all so pretty, Diane! I got one from Natasha last year. It’s fun to see familiar names again…from last year’s swap as well as many bloggers that I know from the blogosphere.
Love how you presented your cards and what you said about each one. Beautiful! I’m so glad you got one of my cards and appreciated the glitter dots!
It’s been such a thrill to be part of this project! Hope to see you again next year (if not sooner!)
Diane, you wrote such a beautiful post!! I love how you put all of the cards on your piano. And I still have to giggle about the lipstick on my card… 🙂
What a great collection you received! Love that first one so much.
This was my first year – I look forward to sharing my story tomorrow xx
I enjoyed your blog post! So nice to visit everyone and see more art in action!
Beautiful cards! I love the way you displayed them and also included the backs, great idea!
I love the wonderful postcards you received and I’m understanding how you feel having not heard from anyone myself as to where my postcards landed. But, I know they’re out there somewhere and I hope they made someone’s day. I hope to find one or two of them in the Blog Hop…I hope you do too! Take care…
Last year I only knew where one of my postcards ended up; it is a bit disappointing. Hopefully, you’ll find one or two on the blog hop!
What a beautiful collection of art you received! I love seeing them all lined up on the piano. Like you, I was disappointed not to hear from anyone who received my cards, but Kat’s comment above is of some comfort. And maybe some of them will turn up in the blog hop.
Wonderful post, I love the collection you received. It’s always so much fun to be able to look forward to the mail arriving, excitedly checking when the postcards start to show up!
hopefully thru the hop you will find out where your cards went to. Beautiful post!
cheers, dana
I am so enjoying the blogs. You can tell the true story tellers…fantastic to see the project through your eyes. Hopefully your cards will pop up soon, I’m sure they were works of art that are going to be treasured for a long time.
It’s so much fun to receive art as mail, isn’t it? Don’t be too disappointed that you didn’t hear back… just know that your art brightened someone else’s day. They too were anxiously awaiting the art at the mailbox, even if they weren’t comfortable reaching out to others they don’t know. Thank you so much for participating this year! It was great to have you.
Wonderful collection of art…I’m so glad I participated this year. I’m eager to think about what I’ll create for next year — and what I’ll receive in return!
Each of these are just beautiful, Diane!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wonderful post…What wonderful art you received!.. I’m enjoying hopping around all the blogs to see what lovelies everyone else got in their mail 🙂
so many good ones! They look great on your piano!
I love mail call! 😀 I’m enjoying the hop to see what was in everyones post. Fun!
Thank you for your kind words – what a thrill to see my card here! 🙂 I do hope you track down the recipients of your cards, I’m hoping to spot more of mine during the hop too. I’m really grateful to you for contacting me to let me know you’d received mine x
Such fun to see the art that came your way.
Well, it’s early Saturday morning and I’m a bit tired…but I stayed up to join the blog hop for Liberate your Art right at the beginning. Thank you for being the first to comment! I love your post and all the gorgeous pieces you received. What incredible variety. I love yours all together on the piano. I can’t wait to start going through the blogs. I only heard from one person who had received mine so I hope to find more. I know you do too. But I’m sure wherever they are they just love them! Sweet dreams…