Minneapolis Gnome

Male

Minneapolis, MN

United States

Profile Information:

Mail-Artist since:
February 2014
My Website (without http://):
http://www.geocities.ws/gnome_reserve/GnomeHome.html
Why I am involved in Mail-Art:
[UPDATE as of December 2019: (Then Revised December 2021)
I have SUCKED at mail arting for the past 4 to 5 years. I haven't been able to make it, send it, open it, post pictures or blogs about it, respond to it...life has changed significantly. I'm clearly unable to get back on a steady roll. I'm popping in and doing a Wreck this Journal (by US Postal MAIL!) art project right now, which is the only mail art I can commit to - but it's REALLY FUN AND COOL.]

What my bio USED TO SAY prior to 2019:
I like art, that of others and also making it. It's hard for me to make anything without knowing that it will have a place to go, so mail art motivates me by giving me a project with a purpose. Getting surprises in the mail ain't too shabby of a benefit, either.

When I started in mail art I made a lot of carefully cut collage postcards, which was fun, helped loosen me up and build my confidence. I now enjoy making and receiving original hand drawn or hand painted art, fun little doodles, sketches, drawings that take longer to complete, copies of zines, hand carved rubber stamp prints and lino / wood block prints.

Please don't be shy, I don't think you have to consider yourself "good" at drawing / painting or have ever even spent a lot of time practicing in order to doodle out and color a postcard that will delight me. My heart sings when I see people’s free hand drawings / paintings / carves, they are wonderful eye candy to me.

My mail art is often light hearted or whimsical, I hope to bring a smile and positive feelings to the recipient and also to focus my own mind in a happy direction while I create. I sometimes let myself make political or societal statements with mail art as well, though I walk a fine line trying not to bum the recipient out without offering some type of solution or hope in how we can make the world a better place.
My Mail-Adress (snail and/or E-mail)
E-mail through IUOMA messages

Comment Wall:

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  • Tracy Anderson

    What a wonderful surprise to wake up to all of your wonderful comments. Thank you so much!
  • stripygoose

    From my first mailart 365 series!

  • Carina

    Hello MG!

  • Kit Gonzales Moore

    Steve! That's a piece of wonderful art you created for me! The drawing and hand painting of the allysum was so delicate, and perfectly reflected the postage stamp. The brown paper used for the envelope was perfect background. And, to top it off, the goodies inside were so fun and I'm going to incorporate some of them into other mail art. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with me!
    Kit
  • Petrolpetal

    Hello! Could you pls send me your address so I can send you something?

  • Olympia Zisi

    thank you very much for your comment! :)

  • Shellie Lewis | moved 2020!

    Hey, What up my Gnomey? You want that rabbit I drew? :3 Send me your address and I will mail him. It would be cool if you sent a drawing back at some time. Also, I tried this new colored pencil technique and it is great! Check it out: 

    How to blend colored pencils with baby oil

    Blend colored pencils with baby oil, a new example

  • Mandy Fariello (FarStarr)

    Thanks for leaving a comment on my gnome postcard! Want to hear the funny thing? That gnome actually went to a friend in Minneapolis, so he might have driven right by your house!

  • CleAn

    It miss only an adress...

  • Shellie Lewis | moved 2020!

    Got your envie this weekend, fantastic! Love the Basset puppy. Will send to you soon. ☺

  • Dee Rodrigues

    Thank you for the lovely comment on my postcard!

  • Ficus strangulensis

    And ol' Bud!

  • K.H.M.

    Hey, thank you so much for your comments on my postcards and envelopes! I did go to art school when I was a kid back in the 70's. And I am technically a professional, but not by any lofty standard (smile).

  • K.H.M.

    Thank you! That was a very encouraging welcome, and I appreciate it, much!
  • Grethe Bjørnhaug

    Hi Minneapolis Gnome. I will send you a letter tomorrow, hope it arrives soon. Please let me know when you have received it :)

  • Carlos I. Botana

    MAILART PROJECT

    Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez
    Size: Free
    Technique: Free
    Deadline: August 15, 2016
    Exhibition: September, 2016
    No sales. No jury. No return
    The work is publisehed in the "blog": mailartlasmeninasdecanido.blogspot.com
    Send your work to:
    Carlos I. Botana
    C/. Javier López López
    Nº 11 - portal 2 - 3º E
    15009 - A Coruña - Spain
  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    Gnome, I received, without injury, my amazing mail art from you today! Hooray!!!!

    Far from crappy, I think it's pure genius. It makes me laugh and I keep turning it over in my hands because there's so much to it! I feel incredibly honored to receive the original "finger tip book" -- which also makes me think "this guy is truly insane." But so are many great artists throughout history, so no worries. I love the "Methane Boekie" I did read all the way to the end, I think. Wonderful. I think you are what we so badly need in this world -- a cheerful anarchist! The piece made from Transit materials -- also genius. I want to check out the artists you credit in that piece. The envelope, too, is a gem. Thank you so much. I can't be snarky about it because I love it so much! 

  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    :->

  • stripygoose

    subway map-birdy arrived, complete with typed letter inside. That's really neat! Thank you. Keep on making and sharing in the post. Something coming your way soon.

    http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/minneapolis-gnome-goes...

  • stripygoose

    The Story of Blarch © blogged here: http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-story-of-blarch-mi...

    Thanks mg!

  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    Gnome, Your mail art package leaves me completely gobsmacked! I love love love what you did with the poetry prompts I sent--not enough that you made a add-on cut up poem out of them, but you illustrated it as well! The schoolbus, the baby on top of the car, and the house/jail at the end "[Just lock the door, it will be alright....]" The very honest plea on the inside to civic responsibility -- welll said. AND the little paper bag turned into a boekie with its own little bag--brilliant! And your envelope, the ephemera, etc. etc. Like the previous package from you, this all just blows me away--you are obviously so connected to this art and this work at such a deep level, even though you are often very funny. Good stuff. I'll blog it all in the next few days so everyone can see.
  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    Oh and the letter on hand-made paper! Love!
  • April Jean Rocco

    Your gnomes have landed in the Space Coast. Thank you for the colorful mail.Loved the handmade paper with a secret gnome in it. Your mail art brightened my day .
  • David Alan Goldberg

    Thank you and you're welcome, M.G.! This is a great community!

  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    OOOH lovely! Another fab package from MG! The envelope is impressive, the way you've drawn about justice and used ALL justice oriented postage stamps! Incredible! The crappy mini-zine addresses an issue that has long intrigued me--the single shoe beside the road. A pair I could understand, but just one? Your zine is a fascinating look into this neglected American problem. And I'm so pleased with the new glasses. I'm sure they'll improve my vision a great deal. Sharkie doorhanger? Going on the downstairs bathroom doorknob. I'll try and blog all this some time soon, but for now, THANKS!
  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    Oh gee, I forgot the Sweet n Low poetry book! Amazing, and yes, bad.
  • Bruno Cassaglia - poetArtist

  • Debra Mulnick

    Hi Mr. Gnome,

    I made a comment about your description of April's last mail art to you, but I'm not sure where you will see it posted - on her page, and not yours, maybe?  Anyway, I thanked you for your blow by blow description and photos.......fantastic! 

  • Debra Mulnick

    Greetings from Idaho to the Gnome.

    I'll need a snail mail address to post something to you.  Cheers.  Debra

  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    Most esteemed Gnome! Your cow made my day,,, completely. The foot is nice, too, but lacks the sexy eyelashes of the cow. Great letter. Also I enjoyed the very thorough warning on the outside of the envelope. In spite of it all, I did open it and am so happy I did. You will be receiving something from me as soon as soon, although I am out of commission for much of July.
  • Petrolpetal

    hey! Please send me your address - want to surprise you with some Mail!
  • Heleen de Vaan

    WOW!!!! Minneapolis Gnome, thank you so very much  for  your wonderful mail art!

    Here a snapshot, 

    I'll post the complete version of this and the others tomorrow at the Animals blog.

    Thank you!!!!

  • Carmela Rizzuto

    Hello MN. Gnome--thanks for the reinforcement. Part of the reason to question the e-mail is that it purported to come from Ruud, but the details of my app said that it came from Mail Art Martha--who would never attempt such a thing, I'm sure. So I decided to go to the 'master communicator' himself for an answer. The mystery continues.

  • A.Hennig

    Thank you for the nice compliments - if you would give me your address, I love to send you a mail art....

  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    MG, here's something to lift your spirits today (I hope it works)

    http://giphy.com/gifs/love-comfort-knitting-3oriO6qJiXajN0TyDu

  • Melissa Wand

    Thanks for the pin card. I blogged it!

  • Mail Art Martha

    Yep! EEEEK indeedy Gnome. that mouse does not move from where I can see it. It lights up my spirits.

  • Shellie Lewis | moved 2020!

  • Sa Mue

    Thank you so much for your friendly coimments, dear Minneapolis Gnome. That will encourage me to continue in this way. On my website you can see little drawings on play cards with marocain motifs.

    http://www.samue-kunst.de/acryl/Marokko-Skizzen/spielkarten.html

    http://www.samue-kunst.de/acryl/Marokko-Skizzen/Marokko_Skizzen.html

  • Heleen de Vaan

    Thank you very much, Minneapolis Gnome, for your great mail!

    I've posted it  there.

  • Shellie Lewis | moved 2020!

    Color, paste, mail, protest. Join the #IdesOfTrump postcard protest March 15th. https://shellielewis.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/ides-of-trump-protest...

  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    O my dear Gnome! What a blessing it is to know you though Mail Art! Thank you for your beautiful art and words. You lift us all up. Happy Ides of Trump!

  • mariano filippetta

    welcome back !!!
  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    YES! I've heard the Gnome is BACK!!!! Prepare to receive some mail art!
  • Jayne Barket Lyons

    Hi Gnome! Just sent a friend request. I have mail art friends from afar, and thought it would be neat to have one near - and since we're practically neighbors (I'm in Lakeville). Hoping we can swap mail art! 

  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    Esteemed Gnome, in spite of your warning, I opened the mail. Perhaps this was because you warning was INSIDE the mail. Oh well, I seem to have survived but there is now a giant woolyworm creeping around my house. He seems rather starry-eyed. Maybe he thinks he's made it to Hollywood instead of plain old Oregon. I LOVE HIM, and your delightful letter, even though it has woolyworm poop on it. Thanks for attempting to save me from this menace!

  • Norma Soulet

    Hi Minneapolis Gnome,

    Something went out in today's mail for you.

    Be on the lookout! LOL

  • Toni Hanner -- tonipoet

    My dear Gnome, do you still walk among us? I miss you.

  • Sabela Baña

    Yes, The picture is very nice.

  • Jayne Barket Lyons

    Hi neighbor! Love, love, love the zines, zines, zines! Thanks so much! Read about it here!