Only Originals

Good discussion point, Melanie. As long as it is not expressly stated, I do not use other people's mail art as a basis for my own work. 

 I frequently incorporate the "bits and pieces" that people include with their mail art work; I assume that's why they're there. I don't rework a complete piece unless I've been invited to do that, but I may occasionally have been guilty of taking bits off a piece and using them in the new piece I send back to the original artist. I never send these things on to other people. I like the idea of mail art as being a dialog, and I've always been done this with good will, but maybe I've crossed a line I shouldn't have.

I sometimes incorporate things that look like "bits and pieces" too, but I wouldn't remove part of an original piece to use in a new piece. Sometimes there are gray areas. I like the idea of signing pieces to indicate that they are finished and shouldn't be further changed.

Received from Susan Gnaedinger--a joyful fairy to keep me company in my studio! Thank you so much, Susan!

I received a beautiful hand-painted "Neurographic" card from Coco Muchmore, in a coffee-themed envelope made from a donut bag, along with its namesake's historical origins.  Thanks also, Coco, for the delightful ephemera, including the mini handmade envelope with a list of "lucky numbers", one of which, coincidentally, is actually my perceived lucky number!  How did you know!?  :)

Nice drawings from Luís Filipe Gomes! Obrigada, Luís.

Early happy holiday card from Katerina Nikoltsou. Thank you Katerina!

From Carien Van Hest...original envelope and postcard. I hope I am posting the card with the correct orientation

Received from new(ish) member Tiffany Kalous!

Thank you for such a fun collage, Tiffany! Welcome to IUOMA (though I have not been here very long either (just since May 2021). --Coco

Received from Tiffany Kalous...I think its part of a series.

Received a postcard and artist trading card from Carien. I have spent a lot of time looking at them...amazing. I just posted the trading card. I will post the trading card when you open the doors of the church. 

This is the postcard. It says "Does your memory fail you?"

Received from Steph Dodson (Florida, USA).  The colors are so vibrant.This photo does not do it justice.

I received this delightful illustrated watercolor card from Susan Gnaedinger (Illinois, USA) today.  I really like her style. Thanks, Sue.

Wonderful card and handmade envelope received from Carien.  The photo doesn't do justice to the colors and texture.  The purple petals will come back to you as a flower! Thanks, Carien!!

C. van Hest sent mail art and I super enjoyed it. I laughed.

Collage and collaged envelope by A. Becerra

Sunshine in the house, brought by Coco Muchmore!

Oil pastel series by Coco Muchmore. The dancer seems alive.

Received an envelope of "tiny art" from Awyn. Her work is so free.

Little jewels indeed, Susan.

Two wonderful hand-sketched and painted postcards from Susan Gnaedinger.

Artistry of Charlotte Geister... LOVE THIS!!!

Superbe indeed, Coco

Zines are typically thought of as being designed to be duplicated, but an original zine can be an excellent form of mail art for that special friend!

Very true, Melanie. (something sent to you last week).

Bright spot in my day. Original zine and envelope from Carien van Hest.

Mail art from Awyn is always so free spirited.

AWYN's Mail art has feeling.

Received from Coco Muchmore - Year of the Rabbit

Thank you so much, Coco!

You know how you look at something and then you look at it again? Two small envelopes, 2 x 2 and a half inches, inside a larger envelope. The photo doesn't do them justice. The piece in the lower left hand corner is a three panel booklet.

Changing the original work (to various extent), is one of the common ''modus operandi'' in the world of Postal Art. It is the best to observe particular case, to be sure what one wanted to explain. Copyright problem may arise in some cases, but only if the original owner of the work is complaining. For instance, if somebody was using photo (cut out from the newspapers or magazines) etc etc. But it rarely happens, and of course, well known artists will never use someone else's work, that would be direct breach of copyright/s. There's thousands of cases and stories about it. 

Predrag, please read the explanation. Thank you!

Entire page of printing with hand carved stamp from Coco Muchmore. This is only a small piece of the printing and she sent me the stamp!

Received today from Kayenderes (Quebec, CANADA). Merci!

A collage from coco Muchmore with hand carved stamp.

Thank you for the invitation to your group. I look forward to participating.

Received from Susan Gnaedinger today.

received interesting collage postcard from Carien van Hest.

Received 2 pieces of mailart from Amanda Becerra...one is a sewn collage and one is a collage in a film mount. I can just keep looking at the film mount forever.

Hello. I just joined your group. Nice to meet you from Japan. 

Tomoe 

@Susan Gnaedinger: They both are fascinating indeed, Susan. It is so personal, don't you think? Amanda sent me something likely a few weeks ago. 

@SuTomoe N: You are welcome here!

Question 

Is original mean something paint/draw/collage on paper or postcard itself for example? 
Can I print my drawings which I tend to do so that I can send the same drawings to many people. Or do you imply “no add and pass” “no add and return”? 
I assume it’s similar concept as the “handmade postcard” group.

I just want to clearify. Thank you.

Tomoe 

Hi Does anyone who want to exchange with me? 
I am slow but I would like to exchange with anyone. 
I currently do drawings and collages.

and I also send some Trashpo. (Wrapping paper for sweets and food, etc.) 

I am sending from Japan.

Nice to meet you.

Tomoe

@Terry

Hi terry I don’t know about android but if you are using browser (in my case Safari) you go to iuoma < group page then should be able to see the picture mark on the 2nd from the left like mountain and sun in a little square. You tap on it and then it should open something to upload the picture. 

Sorry it is hard for me to explain. Good luck.

Tomoe

Received wonderful mailart from Awyn. Her work has so much feeling. The card is watercolor. She sent four people but I just scanned 2.