USA Mail Artists

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Comment by Kit Gonzales Moore on December 2, 2009 at 8:13pm

I was thinking about holiday gifts and I found it amusing that I can't remember gifts that I got last year (for the most part) but I can remember each piece of art that I got in the mail and who made it for me! I'd like to wish all my friends a wonderful holiday season and thank you all for the pleasure you've gifted me with via the mailbox!

Comment by Kit Gonzales Moore on October 27, 2009 at 7:14pm

Kerry, thanks for some very useful information. I have family in Ridgeland, WA, just over the bridge from Portland, so I may just take you up on your invitation for a tour!

Comment by Kerry Jeffrey on October 27, 2009 at 6:55pm

The key phrase to use is "Non-Machinable". That lets the clerk know that the piece will not go through high speed sorting equipment and must be sorted manually. Only about 3% of the mail is handled that way anymore since the machines can read about 97% of the addresses, handwritten or otherwise. It can add .20 cents or more to the price, but it should guarantee that your artwork will go through relatively unmolested, and interestingly, it will actually be seen by our clerks as it goes through the system. The machines read and sort about 30,000 pieces an hour so we never really "see" much in processing.

And yes, something rigid that goes through the machines will get caught and often is shredded, or the contents expelled. Keys are notorius for being separated from envelopes. I once got to watch maintenance dig a melting Hershey bar out of a machine. Not cool.

Tours are rare since 9/11 and have only just begun again for industry groups. I led a few last year for our Postal Customer Council. If you come to Portland some day I can hook you up.

As for ugly, there have been artworks I thought were ugly as sin, but came to love because the technique, the story, or the emotion was engaging. How much of life is really "pretty" anyway?

Comment by Kit Gonzales Moore on October 26, 2009 at 9:59pm

Kerry, tell me...is "hand-canceling" a thing of the past? A few postal workers have told me that they don't do that anymore. But, if I should mail something that is hard, fairly unbendable, how does that get processed? From videos I've seen, it looks like mail goes through this high speed conveyor belt that sort of loops around (bending the envelope in the process) and I understand that's for regular size type mail. But what if I had a regular size business envelope that had something stiff inside it? Does that stop the machine? Is the envelope sort of mutilated at that point? For the way you create art...on heavy matboard and with shelac, how is that canceled if not by hand cancelation? Geez, I'm now thinking I need a personal tour of the post office...is that a possibility? That would be so interesting!
As for that "ugly" mail art call - I'm right behind ya, fella! I painted some really wonderful stuff after a mentor told me to put down my expensive art brushes and use a "twig, a Q-tip, a spoon, your finger", etc. to create art. Wonder what would happen if I intentionally set out to do some ugly stuff? Can't wait! Thanks, Amigo, for all the inside info. Kit

Comment by Kerry Jeffrey on October 26, 2009 at 8:36pm

Hey Kit! Don't dos? The Postal Service likes sizes that go through automation well, like a postcard or a flat (8.5 x 11), but it's really all about choice. There is something to be said for the patina a piece acquires as it goes through the dirt and handling of the postal system, so a piece that is easily mailable may not always be what you want. I do my pieces on heavy matboard and shelac them with a layer of clear packing tape, but I like the weight and feel of them that way. I'm ready for that "ugly" mail art call!

Comment by Irene Watts on October 26, 2009 at 5:57pm

An interesting idea, Alison. These days (post Suzi Blu) when I'm feeling the inner demon/critics regrouping for an attack I usually 1. Watch a SuziBlu video, 2. re-organize my Art Cart (sort of a studio on wheels), or carve another rubber (or lino...or wood) stamp. Putting my hands over my ears and yelling la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la also helps. :)

Comment by Alison Noble on October 26, 2009 at 5:23pm

Sometimes it helps me to make a conscious decision to make ugly art. That's my intention going into the work; it seems to release me from...the inner judge. I think I'm going to do an ugly mail art call!

Comment by Jennifer Zoellner on October 26, 2009 at 4:44am

Ha ha...

Comment by Irene Watts on October 26, 2009 at 4:38am

Good for you! No mercy for those inner critic/demons...whatever it takes...leather, whips, silver bullets, garlic...........BE GONE YOU DEMON-CRITICS!!!!!!!!!! Sha-zzzzaaaaaaaam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Jennifer Zoellner on October 26, 2009 at 1:52am

Thanks Irene! My inner demons roam free sometimes... But i put on my leather, get out my whip and beat them back down...

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