I'm sorry and thank you!

[Pam VanderWiel]

Hi everyone.  I'm sorry that I don't get around to posting the lovely art that I've received.  It's not from lack of appreciation, but rather because all my free moments are spent making art to send back out.  I'd promise that I'll get better, but I'd be lying.

Now with the thank you.  Thank you everybody for filling my postbox with lovely art!  Mail time has become the highlight of my day.  If you haven't heard back from me yet, you will.

Cheers!

[Ruud Janssen]

The sending of mail-art is always a gift. Never an obligation to answer.

[Richard Canard]

22.05.17 Dare Ms. Pam VanderWeil & MIster  DeVillo Sloan, ....DVS....there you go again....encouraging people to be themselves,... tolerant, ....reasonable, ....relaxed & accepting of what "the mail art life" has to offer.  ....same ole DVS.  SinCelery, Richard Canard  

[Pam VanderWiel]

Thank you for the comment, De Villo.  I have actually been struggling with this dynamic a little bit.  I have enjoyed receiving unexpected mail art, and I'd rather not dilute the surprise by posting it.  Part of the charm of mail art is pretending that the internet does not exist.  On the other hand, I can't criticize the internet or this site, because I  enjoy looking at the art posted here and also because I wouldn't be involved in mail art without it.  Regardless, I appreciate your advice.  I don't plan to let it ruin my fun.

[De Villo Sloan]

Pam, your angst has been expressed and discussed at the IUOMA before.

So I think it's worth repeating (especially for the benefit of those new to mail art culture) that there is no rule written or unwritten that states you are obligated to post mail art received on the internet. In some cases, in fact, it can be inappropriate. The intimacy of the "old" mail art before the internet is changed by making the exchange public. In fact, some believe that mail art should not exist online at all.

So don't worry about posting. Heck, don't worry about replying to mail. I think good people are lost because they become overwhelmed. It should be fun.