No matter how I fine tune the flow of mail that comes to my letterbox, there is a daily abundance of junk mail. This year I’ve finally embraced the inevitable with new vision. It started with Carla Sonheim’s on-line class here.
Recent inspiration from my friend and fellow artist Priscilla Read followed this week! She created postcards using junk mail. And I received one of them in the mail. Click on image for a larger view.
The postcard made its journey and arrived in fine shape. Thank you, Priscilla, for the postcard and the inspiration!
I’ve been creating and mailing fabric postcards since 2004. I’ve shared that experience and my affiliation with Postmark’d Art here many times. But until now, I haven’t created my own paper postcards. After reading Priscilla’s how-to description, I couldn’t wait to get started.
I recently went on an art walk with a friend and picked up quite a few postcards. Some of my junk mail postcards were too large so I trimmed them to 4″ x 6″. Using a hard rubber brayer, I applied gesso to one side and let it dry. Next I used the brayer to apply acrylic paint mixed with matt medium.
Then I added more junk mail. Click on image for a larger view.
A few of the postcards received some sketching
One also needed some watercolor.
I’m viewing junk mail with fresh eyes!
These are great, Franki. I’ve been doing something similar whilst unable to stitch properly. They satisfy the immediate creative urge.
They do indeed! And it’s nice to have a stack of them handy to write a quick note to someone. Much nicer to use your own art to make the message extra special.
I’m curious to see the other side. Has it been revamped as well? Very nice. I like them! 🙂 I have that picture of the polar bear and cub cut out as inspiration in my stack ‘o stuff. We must get the same ‘junk.’! 🙂
Aha! I’ll send you a photo of the address side — not too interesting really, it’s simply painted with gesso so that I can write on it.
Besides using artwork to make artwork, you are helping the recyclers by shredding the unused portions before putting them in the recycle bag! That makes this a win-win-win! Keep up the good work.
Yep, I like the whole idea of this!
Love your take on this way of recycling junkmail to make postcards.
Thanks Priscilla! And thanks again for the inspiration. They are a lot of fun to make and to mail out.
These are so great. I especially love the postcards with your drawings.
Sad that your are leaving Postmark’dArt but I can understand that you want to concentrate on all the other art you are making so beatiful – and successful.
Happy still to be able to follow you here.
Thanks Gurli! Yes, I think the next batch (or maybe even more of these) will have more of my sketches. In fact, I can personalize a sketch on these for the person I’m mailing it to. Good idea, huh?