Carmela Rizzuto's Blog (12)

I've resisted ATC challenges for a long time, but have finally succumbed. Two of 12 unique, handmade Artists Trading Cards (ATCs) sent to the ATC project are posted here. Media: watercolor paint and ink pen ( 2.5x3 inches). These were made from a series of slow drawing sessions hosted by Amy Maricle at mindfulartstudio.com…

Inspired by Tiny Art mail artists I made a series of one-of-a-kind Teenie ‘Zines in 2022. The pages were collages from my drawings and art experiments of the past few years. Here are a few pages and the cover (bottom) from Teenie ‘Zine #5. Details: Size 2.5 x 3 inches, mixed media. The first one to Carien Van Hest can be viewed here…

I have started a new series, titled, Calli-dance. This is an  'automatic drawing' series using a calligraphic style of mark-making. This variable edition was created with sumi or other inks, and Inktense or Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils on watercolor paper. The sample below is the first in the series.…

In 2018 my husband started collecting tea tags for me on a whim. Then I added to the collection by emptying and drying tea bag papers. So was born this interactive collage, postcard series. Each card is 4.25 x 6 inches. Layers of papers/imagery were loosely glued together and an inspirational text added—usually hidden under one or more layers. Materials used include hand-painted papers (sometimes painted with tea), tea tags, tea bag papers, ephemera, and stamping depicting a steaming tea…

CALL ME: Mail Art Call---

I read the poem below in response to Jon Foster’s Call for Entries: CALL ME.  Respondents were asked to call a  phone number and leave a message about mail art.  There were 38 responses. You can listen to them online as a digital recording (Discography) in the following link. …

Did you know that Ray Johnson used Add & Pass? Did you know about the queer community's involvement in mail art? Find out more interesting facts in this well-written article about the history of mail art. 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/collaborative-mail-art-puts-post-postmodernism-180969783/

In April I sent out a series of cards featuring snow geese. Some of the recipients asked how I made them.  Each card in the series is different, but with common elements. The card is Canson-mi-tientes paper which has been enhanced with watercolor crayon and over-written in white colored pencil with text from a poem by Carolyn Forche. The snow geese are hand-drawn, and then painted with acrylic paint.The envelopes feature a collage created with scraps of mulberry and other papers, plus a…

I  recently learned to make leaf prints using an eco-dyeing process from Jamila Rufaro. See my efforts in my photo album--Mail Art Sent 2014 . The mirrored image below demonstrates how the front and reverse sides of the leaves print differently. The prints are very unique and a reminder of our role as stewards of the planet. 

The person who made Eco-dyeing and printing well-known is India Flint of Australia. If you have the time to browse her web site and blog prepare to be amazed.…

Ray Johnson's spirit still thrives through mail artists, performers, book artists. Known in the US and beyond as the founder of mail/correspondence art. Read the article---

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/arts/design/ray-johnson-defies-categories-20-years-after-his-death.html?emc=eta1

Jennie Hinchcliff who headed up the Ex Postal Facto Conference was interviewed by the US Postal Service. Read the interview at   http://uspsstamps.com/stories/postal-moderns

The following sent mail art in response to the Celebrate IUOMA 25 Call for Entries. 

My thanks to all for their creative mail art!!!

Karen Alekyan-Ayumri, Armenia.

Parys St. Martin- Glenelg, Australia.

Guido Vermeulen (3)-Brussels, Belgium.

Patricio: Celestial Scribe (3)-Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

Edna Toffoli -Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Anna Banana (3)- Roberts Creek, BC, Canada.

Laura Bucci -Vancouver, BC Canada.

Denise Souray…

The display of mail art from the Mail Art Call, Celebrate IUOMA 25, was a wonderful success. My thanks to all who sent entries! The event was held at the Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto, California. About 300+ visitors viewed the display. At least 160 took the informational handout and stopped to ask questions about mail art and how to become involved in the IUOMA network.  Mail artists stopped to chat about their own experiences. It was a pleasure to meet Raphael'L, an…