Today I sent off this postcard to Finland, using postcrossing. Do you know postcrossing? Postcrossing’s website says: “send a postcard and receive a postcard back from a random person somewhere in the world!” People mostly send commercially produced cards about where they live, but I like to shake things up a bit and send my own original artwork.
It was because of postcrossing that I really got into mailart and have sent lots of handmade postcards all over world. It has been a long time since I’ve used postcrossing, so I hope that the person that receives my card is delighted to get it. I always had a great response from my recipients but there is always that fear each time I send a piece out that it could get lost, stolen, or not appreciated by it’s new owner. I see it in a very similar way as I see Found Art, you let go of a piece of artwork and hope that by the mysteries of this world, the right piece will make it into the right hands.
If you enjoy sending and receiving real mail you might want to try a few of these websites.
postcrossing
sendsomething
swap-bot
postcardx doesn’t look like this one is up anymore
nervousness
postsecret
This particular postcard was another piece at my show. I love how the detailed linework in the checkers came out, it’s part of the magic of my rapidoliner pens. The grass was achieved by gluing down fake grass used for miniatures and models. My friend tom does miniatures and I’m so impressed by the tiny paintwork he does. I love everything tiny and often it’s all I can do to keep myself from going crazy and buying everything in the miniatures isles at hobby stores.
edit: oh yes, I just realized I have to add in my “everyday create” friend’s store The Flying Housewife. In one of those brilliant “Why hadn’t I thought of that!” ideas, Joon has an etsy shop where she lovingly will compose a letter and send it to you. This is what the description says: This listing is for one handwritten letter, from the heart, from me to you*.
What a coincidence. I recently sent my first fh letter to Norway. Surprisingly, the next day after I posted it, I received another order from Norway. The first person has never communicated a word – no message to seller, no response to my emails and so far no fb. The second one was very excited and emailed back and forth quite a bit. The letter arrived there in less than a week. But, I am very disappointed in the fb. So, I can so relate to what you are saying. I spend three days on each letter, not to mention the emails. It is extremely personal and a labor of love for humanity. Most of the time people are thrilled and touched. But, when the people who don’t ‘get it’ come along, I do feel crushed and despairing. Isn’t one of life’s most difficult challenges taking risks? One thing I have always marveled at and liked about myself is that I recover & carry on with blind faith. I’m nothing if not resilient. I don’t understand it. But I do love defeating cynicism.
I hope your mail connection turns out wonderfully. I have people who write back to me ~ more than once, even ~ and have made me wonderful, beautiful, touching little art works. It’s amazing. Life is a mystery.
Your postcard is lovely, Robyn. I used rapidiographs years ago. They are magical, aren’t they? I love miniature everythings, too.
Thanks for a special post. I will check out those sites. ox joon