Thursday, March 27, 2008

It's for the birds



What exactly constitutes art mail? Does it have to be mailable? Or at least look as if it could make its way through the old USPS?

I was pondering that question as I my gaze fell upon a pile of rejected envelopes. My son's bar mitzvah is growing ever closer and I was inscribing them with what passes for calligraphy in my house. Inevitably, there were some mistakes. (That will teach me not to watch Emma Thompson's "Sense & Sensibility" while I'm writing. Yes, I'm still being extremely diverted by Miss Austin's creations.)

Since I'm one of those people who can always envision another use for anything (I suspect our numbers are legion among the GPP Street Team) I decided to spare the envelopes the trash. Immediately, I thought of a play on the idea of air mail -- or par avion (love that French term!) -- and use my new birds stamps. After applying a little paint to the envelopes, I took my art kit (making use of GPP Street Team Crusades 17 as well as 18) to bed with me and embellished.


While these birdies won't be winging their way through the mail, it was fun to work on an unfamiliar surface. I may have to do that more often. And of course, now I want to make some that are postal ready. Sigh. What do normal people do with their evenings?

4 comments:

Ursula Clamer said...

I love how you are combining and utilising both crusades, Michelle will be so proud of you!
I can't imagine myslef creating in bed, I'm way to messy there would be paint/ink everywhere! You have done really well though, these 'envelopes' are great.

Rosie said...

I have no idea what 'they' do! But I bet they don't have as much fun as us... and those envelopes are beautiful. My fave has the orange on it!

Unknown said...

Your birds are wonderful, you are really good with those stamp tools!

AND your calligraphy is perfect, I think....

Maj said...

I just love your bird stamps! AND now look at your envelopes!!! They are beautiful! Funny, that you took them to bed to finish! I prefer to read... less messy! ;)