"Ain't No Cure for the Summertime Blues" by Mail-Art Martha (Beckenham Kent UK)

[De Villo Sloan]

Boekie by IUOMA member Mail-Art Martha (Beckenham Kent UK)

October 8, 2014 - On the current mail-art scene, bolstered by her legendary Trash Trolley, I suspect Mail-Art Martha is primarily known as a trashpoet working with found material. She certainly has distinguished herself by having had a major role in leading DKULTUK to global prominence and has received much recognition for her innovations. But be careful before you D-Klare her just another orthodox, card-carrying DaDaist! As this wonderful, end-of-summer missive illustrates, Mail-Art Martha is not limited to Trashpo in her artistic pursuits. (I believe this is true for many trashpoets who do outstanding work both in and outside the genre.) I am absolutely enthralled by Quick sketches by the sea, a boekie (or TLP or perhaps even zine) that bears not a shred of trash in all its charm.

Obviously there is much to praise here. I am taken particularly with the color scheme, and one should never overlook Mail-Art Martha’s wit nor her insightful eye.

This mailing came as a reply to the summer issue of the DKULTNY Trashpo Fanzine, and includes some great ephemera as well:

The reverse sides:

I always appreciate Mail-Art Martha’s kind messages. She is very handy with stamps as well:

Many thanks to Mail-Art Martha for a near-poignant mail-art memoir of the end of summer 2014 that somehow manages to contain threads of a celebration as well.

[Mail Art Martha]

Thanks for all the nice things you guys say. I have found out a lot about me I didn't know. Like being a Trahsemic poet, that is from another blog i just realize... more of that presently.

The blue colour you like happened because I used the back of one of those paper mats that they put on the table in cheap restaurantes, at least in France, where the food is reasonable and very tasty. The mat happened to be blue and was quite trashy really. On the front it has the menu. It doesn't show in the copy how trashy it is, I am giving deep consideration as to whom will get the original.

[De Villo Sloan]

& thanks DK - you give Martha your blessing here, even when she's doing non-Trashpo art.

[De Villo Sloan]

LTVS - I was hoping someone would pick up on my "Summertime Blues" reference. It's great for Martha's work because of the amount of blue she uses, but "Summertime Blues" is a song with a hell of a history. You could almost write a book, OK a hefty article, about it.

You mention Dion and Leaping Lizards - I was thinking of Blue Cheer - that other Owsley Bay Area not quite as well known as the Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane but originating from the same place.

Great song. Glad I could weave it in.

[DKeys]

i'm always happy when I see her signature envelopes--great whimsical and dreaming mail art from Mrs Martha of DKultUK!!!

[liketelevisionsnow]

Just last night, I downloaded the Dion cover and the Leaping Lizards cover of "Summertime Blues" ... I think there was a definite connection to your title, but I could be wrong!