David Stafford's Blog (201)

I received this original Jim Leftwich but the provenance is a little shaky. I think I got this by way of Diane Keys. Is that right, Diane? Anyway, I'm having some art appraisers flown in from Virginia to see if it's real. These guys know Leftwich from …, well, I think you know where I'm going with that…(performs low bow, misses tomato and exits leftwich.) Thank…

Jay sent me this collaged landscape which depicts a wizard who has inadvertently let loose upon the world some sort of infernal knowledge. His cloak of many colors is not protection enough against the forces he's unleashed. That's my story anyway. Thank you, Jay.…

My Seoul Mate Kim sent me this quiet wish for peace. (The numbers are the digits to her Swiss Bank Account). Thank you, Kim

The Aphorist from Carbondale (possible folk hit) has struck again with four 4 (count'em) One, Two,…

Yes, loofahs can kill if they are properly loaded. That sound advice came to mind when I opened RCBz's joint homage to Malevich and Mike Kelley. (I just threw in…

First of all, I am glad that you're not dead, Dean. There were other ways of putting that but that seemed the quickest and truest. The news from Paris has not been good and the repercussions, at the moment, seem to be expediting our path to…

Gü is working on her branding again. I think this could be sort of like a change of address card for her new name: Gü (formerly G___ U______) but still in Norwich thank god. In which case: Duly noted Gü though I may occasionally leave the ümlaut behind to save valuable time. In the cellophane bag a lower case "u," inscribed on side: "What wood u do without G?"…

H/T to Jon Foster

Jon Foster's portrait of Uncle Ray Ray is a wonder to behold and stark departure from Jon's tape transfers. Thank you, Jon. I'm honored that you sent this to me.

A combo platter just because they looked good on my scanner…

I received this petri dish from the Diane Keys Family (I'm presuming it was a family affair because of the team effort implied in the sentence, "We grew a baby 4u: David Jr." I have learned from past experience with Diane's work that it is not a good idea to rush into the opening of packages lest spring-loaded trashpo bounty escape across the floor. So for the…

In compliance with current Vermont mail art statutes, Thom Courcelle has put a cow on his mail art. Thank God. I didn't want to be the one to turn him in. Looks like Thom is working on his hand-lettering. So am I. I'll send you something soon. Thank you, Thom.…

These are ads that have lost their way in my vast collection, orphans with great pedigrees. They are going fast. So let me know. No returns though you are free to give them to deserving strangers.

More recently I received a packet of Tie Stories, RCBz's response to a mail art call from Cheryl Penn. As I've come to expect from the man from Saint Clown, they are masterful collages and the stories that accompany them are just as witty. To wit:…

Way back in April? I received these two car cards. This one, I believe, is from Indiana Rogers, currently on the move in San Diego. Thank you, Indiana. Let me know when you settle.

And this one from RCBz. Impala with Polar…

I'm always amazed at full time artists who have energy and wit left over for mail art. Wenchkin of Albuquerque, not only does both but she also runs an international business concern with offices across the globe including our beloved Petsmo. (Waitpinga and Wakoshi pending). This is a nice grouping of Wenchkin's work which is defined by a high level of craftsmanship, elegant…

From the Musee Wakoshi Catalog, The Art of Marie Wintzer: Exile in Artville:

The radiograms of Marie Wintzer are absurdist bits of high drama which mimic the hysterical tone  of our media and at the same time make perfect sense. The lack of Kale Rooting Hormone could, plausibly, be the turning point in the collapse of our tenuous grasp on the planet.…

Linda French of Tiny Two Harbors, MN sent this Clown Suit Pattern today. I've assembled the pieces so the average viewer at home can see what it could look like. Thank you, Linda. I'll send the Red Riding Hood costume pattern you requested…

I think, if you look closely, you'll see the foundations of much of the work that now finds its way into the Tate, the Whitney, the Elgin St. Vincent de Paul. A great animated cloud of pigeons erupts from St. Mark's Square.  Freeze Frame. A Non sequitur to clear the palette. So...I received this boekie from Rebecca and Diane who jointly filled this tome called…

From the venerable Richard Canard, a fellow curmudgeon. It's a somewhat sad commentary on the state of red state fashion. Thank you, Richard.

In certain mail art circles I seem to be the go to guy for climate disaster. At least…

Thank you, ladies.....and secret admirer. No card from Katerina would be complete without....

It's amazing how natural it…