Monday, August 13, 2012

Back to the drawing board

After a bit of a hiatus, I am back to creating the smaller simpler works that I so enjoy creating.


Most of these works start out by tearing up a cardboard box or a cereal box and cutting them down to the postcard size. I look through all the collage images and scraps that I have collected over the years and find new images and search for some inspiration. This past week I found inspiration in a funny little frog and a schooner.
Feels good to be back.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Speaking Voice

My work will be on display for a solo art show at Mighty-O Donuts (famed organic and vegan donut joint in Seattle, Wa) from May 1st to May 31st. 

Please stop by in Wallingford if you are in the area. Pieces will be on sale and detailed information for purchases will be available at the shop.

The title of the show is called Mail Art: The Speaking Voice, drawing from the title of a 1897 book written by Edgar S. Werner I found 14 years ago based on vocal exercises for development and preservation. Most specifically I have used the images included in the book of a man and a woman in awkward poses intended to be exercises, but I also intend a deeper meaning of what it means for me to improve the power of my own voice. 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Kudos to the USPS


I love that the postman knows my name. He sees me waiting for the mail or coming out right after he has delivered it and says,"Hello, Ritchey!" That in itself is awesome. I love that connection.

But what I find truly incredible is that in this past week we have had snow. Real snow. And in
Seattle any kind of snow is amazing, but we got the first snow storm in Seattle for quite some time.

The city shuts down. Literally. Hardly any stores were open or if they were they were ghost towns. Very few buses were running on time and they were all on a snow schedule. Roads aren't plowed. Chains and snow tires are nearly required. People called off work or the businesses/schools/universities were closed for all non-essential personnel. And yet our postman was out in his mail truck. Early even!

The USPS has no official creed, but an inscription on a Post Office in New York City reads... "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

Over the few snow days this is what came in the mail...
Day 1: Residential junk mail business advertisements
Day 2: Postcard advertisement for a chiropractic care professional
Day 3: Passports, Letter from Cousin Dylan (age 3) to our 2-year-old son Ewan, and birth certificates

I will always appreciate our postal system and have an even deeper appreciation now.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Kickstarter Campaign: A Success!

"This project will be funded!"
Link
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone's support of my work. Thank you! I am heading to Paris in February!

Incentives are in the works... I am still collecting addresses and funds. Below are some of the works being sent out!