the way things go

The other day a friend of mine, who I had sent a postcard to, had mentioned that she read the note but hadn't noticed that there was anything hand-made on the picture side of the card. The note went straight to recycling. Yesterday, another friend told me that I am always with her at the computer since my postcard is posted right next to it in her office. I have been curious about the question of what happens to these cards after I drop them in the mail. Some might end up as shredded paper, while others will be treasured for a while. A small number won't even make it to its destination since the address was old or the mail carrier got it mixed up in a magazine. Does the destiny of the card change the production? I believe the answer is twofold. On one side, I am trying to make the postcards stand out more so that it can be seen as an artcard. On the other side, I become a little more attached and am at times hesitant to let go. 53/365, Seattle, WA

54/365, Seattle, WA

55/365, Hamburg, Germany

56/365, Hamburg, Germany

57/365, Berlin, Germany

reconnecting

Last week I received an e-mail from an old friend of mine, whom I haven't seen or spoken to in ten years. She had received one of my postcards and was thrilled to have heard from me. The last time I saw her, was when I visited my old home town and we just ran into each other at the local playground. Both of us with multiple kids in tow and strapped to our backs. We were not the closest friends during High School, but close enough to spend many sleepless weekends together dancing or day-dreaming. Close enough to venture on our first big Euro-rail travel together (amongst other friends) and to explore the hottest summer on record in Greece on foot, train and bus. What does reconnecting now mean to both of us? Maybe just reminiscing in old memories or maybe even securing old ties and rebuilding an old friendship. In any case, it was lovely hearing from her and catching up after a long silence. 51/365, to Brookline, MA

50/365, to Montreal, Canada

49/365, to Seattle, WA

48/365, to Seattle, WA

47/365, to Seattle, WA

direction

I find myself being all over with my art. I haven't found a particular style or a direction. I should care, but I don't at this point. But maybe that reflects on life as well and it just takes time to try out different avenues in order to find the one that suits you best. While trying things out I get to explore my likes and dislikes, the things I am drawn to and the things I don't enjoy. The commitment of doing, whether it in life or in art, pushes you forward in interesting directions that you might otherwise have never chosen. I look forward what else awaits me.

47/365, Seattle, WA


46/365, Braunfels, Germany


45/365, Seattle, WA


44/365, LA, CA


43/365, Braunfels, Germany

the beauty of handwritten notes

How do handwritten notes differ from electronically communicated messages? When we can quickly and efficiently communicate over the Internet, is there a value in a hand-written note? When I get a handwritten letter or card in the mail, I feel that the sender really tries hard to reach me. Since there are multiple steps that go into sending a letter/card, I get the sense that I am truly important to that person. The deliberation makes the communication more meaningful. On another level, there is also the handwriting per se - the actual ink that has traveled from point A to point B. I can almost envision the sender bending over the table and handcrafting the letter or note. The ink poured over the paper and the occasional spill of tea or a mistake erased is proof that somebody else has touched the paper before me. The deliberation of the act and the personal touch of the actual writing is what makes the handwritten note so special to me.

42/365. Hamburg, Germany


41/365. Seattle, US

40/365. Jever, Germany

39/365. Munich, Germany

38/365. Seattle, USA

37/365. Braunfels, Germany

36/365. Seattle, WA

35/365. Hamburg, Germany
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daily practice

I have just come across this beautiful book on artist's sketchbooks entitled An Illustrated Life. Danny Gregory has been writing and creating a personal sketchbook ever since he was a child. He has made it a daily practice to record the world around him visually. Gregory has always been curious to get a glance at other artist's sketchbooks. But since they are private by nature, he had no luck. While his first book Everyday Matters inspired many artists or creative people to keep an art journal, he reached out to several artists and published a book on the practice of keeping sketchbook. The book is a treasure for young and old and my kids and I have enjoyed pouring over the both serious and ridiculous entries of the many artists featured in the book. As a result, my six-year old now keeps an art journal for his many silly ideas that cross his mind throughout the day. As for myself, I find the daily practice of creating a postcard not quiet as private, but equally gratifying. The one benefit is that I am not only connecting with my inner artist but also with family and friends.


February 3, 2012, to Seattle




February 2, to Bern, Switzerland


February 1, to La, CA, by guest artist Yonah Light

Jan. 31, to Seattle

Jan. 30, to Seattle