My project for 2011

[MaryAnne]

It has been at the back of my mind for several years so it is about time I got it done. Not exactly a mail-art project more of a "collaborative artist book" project or some sort of mini archive which is why I thought I would mention it here rather than announce it as an "event".
For a long time I have been putting by odd stamps ... not just the occasional artist stamp that has come my way but anything curious or unusual ... stamps from made up countries, tourist labels and "real" stamps designed by, or showing work by dada artists, surrealists and "pop".
I have now found an album .... smart red cover and over a hundred usable pages .... and I plan to fill it up with what I have plus whatever anyone sends me over the coming months and year. I have made a start and a dozen pages are now filled with stamps and finished off with collage, rubber stamps, paint and drawings. Some of the stamps are on envelopes or postcards and they have been added in tact just as they would be if it was a "proper" collection of "real" stamps. When it is finished I will show it to some Real stamp collectors and give them a shock and a half! strange bunch that they are!!
I am in the process of getting some of my own stamps done so will soon have stuff to exchange with anyone who might like.
As well as stamps I want to include envelopes, cards and stuff that have a philatelic interest about them ... Strange shapes and sizes of envelope, things sent with just artistamps on and no real stamps, things addressed in scripts other than English (such as Russian, Greek, Japanese, Gobbledy Gook or Moonish) any thing that would attract strange and unusual postal markings from the mail service thereby adding to the overall artistic effect. Google Reginald Bray if you need any ideas.
Not sure how to document such a project. It is not very original and I am sure it has been done dozens of times before but not by me! I am looking forward to having a nice album full of curious and interesting stamps and stuff on my shelf to see me through my dottage
Among the pages finished.. or nearly finished so far are a page of Ben Mahmoud's Poco Post stamps, a page of Royal Mail stamps by Peter Blake, some envelopes with surreal drawings on them, several pages of stamps by Mark Valentine (stamp collector not artist) and a couple of Miscellaneous. I hope many of you will feel moved to send something, glamerous printed stamps or hand made one-offs, mint or used, anything will be valued. With a bit of luck I might even have to worry about starting a second album!

[MaryAnne]

hi possum, will send you some info snail mail this week.

[Plush Possum Studio-Rose McGuinn]

How would you recommend any artist fresh to the making of artistamps begin? I've been looking for sticker sheets, altho' not recently, and without much success. i might add I am a longterm fan of the works of Nick Bantock, an artist exemplary in his field. It is a little daunting, even getting a start. perhaps you could help?

Thank you for any words of wisdom!

Rose

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

Well, Mary anne, I know were you can get some stamps with strange Greek writings on them :-) Sounds like a great project, I will be sending you something soon!

[Laurence Roberts]

This sosunds fantstic !  Really exciting......