From Folk Art to Asemics by Grace Sanford (Henderson, Nevada, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

minkrancher

Mail art by IUOMA member Grace Sanford (Henderson, Nevada, USA)

September 10, 2015 - Grace Sanford is new to the Eternal Network. I see her as a perfect fit for mail art. Much of her previous work – admittedly based upon my probably limited impression – fits into the folk art-informed strain that many claim they see in the current network. I tend to agree and have called this style Mail Art NoveauX.

Work I have seen by Grace Sanford, including the ATC (Artist Trading Card) above, could be Zentangle or Zentangle-like. (I do not know much about this practice so could be in error.) Grace has developed an interest in asemic writing and vispo; she is a member of the IUOMA-Ning asemic writing group. Very perceptively, I believe, she has noted the vispo elements in her earlier style and has begun to experiment, expanding upon those elements that are somewhat latent. Her style also fits in nicely with the current “doodle therapy” craze started by Rebecca Guyver (Suffolk, UK). I am absolutely thrilled Grace sent me these piece for the archives.

I note an R. Crumb quality in Grace Sanford’s work that adds a certain degree of edginess.

Grace Sanford also included a larger piece that seems to be a printed card and thus an excellent example of her work:

The envelope is spectacular and stays true to the theme of the mailing:

And the reverse:

Many thanks to Grace Sanford! I look forward to watching her work evolve in the Eternal Network.

[De Villo Sloan]

All this about Grace's Crumby art?

And I am posting R Crumb fakes? (Thank you, Noma Jean). This just proves how far out of my element I have gone to try to make a point.

And thanks Grace for supplying more info to confirm the point.

So let's make sure we at least have a real Crumb. I think this one is:

 

[Grace Sanford]

I was 22 in 1972 and was very aware of the artistic styles of that time. I read Zap comic books, browsed art posters in all the head shops and music stores, etc. I was always drawing and doodling, since birth practically, and creating my own art. I mentioned 1972 because I just scanned something I drew that year to share here. I have been a doodler and designer for a very long time, way before the ubiquitous word 'zentangle' came into being. I happen to loath the word, but I can't fault anyone for using it since it seemingly can't be avoided these days to describe any abstract line art. And having my name and R Crumb's name in the same sentence put a smile on my face that won't be leaving for some time :-)

[Richard Canard]

10.09.15 Dare DeVillo S., ...Okay,  now I get it. ...a perfect example & now as obvious as can possible be...you have a good eye & an equal memory ....thank you ...plus now, thanks to Mys Noma...my ignorance stumbles into the mystical & erotic symbols of John Thompson....my hippie visual arts education sorely lacking.Right on! Peace & Love, Richard Canard

[borderlinegrafix]

Isn't that great how connections work in the mind.  Do you remember those posters you could buy that were black and white line drawings and they came with a set of colored magic markers to use for filling in the negative space.

[De Villo Sloan]

Richard, you are a thoughtful and careful reader.

I struggled with the R Crumb reference. Sometimes comparisons are very clear. I could compare PopArt-rooted work by Ray Johnson and Andy Warhol. The connections, I am confident, would be clear to a reader/viewer.

Comparing Grace Sanford to R Crumb is far more subjective and possibly even obscure.

Grace's second ATC, the one that looks like an eye, made me think of psychedelic art and Crumb's b&w, stream-of-conscious work. For instance, here is a Crumb piece about Allen Ginsberg:

Compare to Grace Sanford's piece:

No? Yes? Maybe?

Grace has mentioned in online postings being in school in the 60s and being influenced by those times. I thought I did detect some of the art of that time in her work. Perhaps narrowing to R Crumb is too limiting. At any rate, I think it is better explained now.

Thx again

[Richard Canard]

10.09.15 Dare De Villo S., ...yes, I am in somewhat of an agreement ,understanding & appreciation of your observations concerning the works of Ms. Grace Sanford...(of course , that's only because you made it so easy & figured it all out). What I don't recognize immediately is the reference to R. Crumb.. Just exactly-- to what (If I may ask) do you refer? The so-called "intensity" of the line quality,  daring playfulness or what???? Huh? Richard Canard