Susan McAllister's Red & Black Saga Continues (Berkeley, California, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Susan McAllister (Berkeley, California, USA)

December 18, 2014 - Susan McAllister has been a fantastic correspondent in 2014 and has factored into my sub-project of mapping West Coast USA mail-art. She closes the year by sending me this piece, which I believe is a spectacular addition to her series done in red and black.

Stepping back and taking a look, you will likely agree that Susan McAllister’s work is very diverse. I have praised the red and black pieces specifically, so she has kindly responded and I have focused on those. I believe I detect a more “edgy” quality in this most recent postcard-size drawing. I find a hint of R. Crumb, something hallucinatory and a little menacing. A street art aesthetic is woven in as well, yet there is a retro hint of Escher and probably a dozen other things I didn’t catch. In short, Susan McAllister has an incredible ability to synthesize a wide range of influences into a cohesive work, and that includes the incorporation of found material (sometimes). This is a seamless and flawless piece that could easily be a FAB zine illustration.

Deepest thanks to Susan McAllister for her great mail-art and faithful contributions to M-L!

[De Villo Sloan]

Yes, that's great! Abstract comics - I couldn't agree more, PP. The drawing is excellent. You have to see the original to fully appreciate.

[Petrolpetal]

I agree with you DVD - and its so much more interesting than 'normal' zentangle!

[Susan McAllister]

Hi DVS, I recently stumbled into the world of abstract comics. Totally new to me. I'm finding them very exciting, and while that's not exactly what I'm doing, I think they have contributed a new energy to my drawing. Thanks for the nice blog.