Mail art by Linda French (Two Harbors, Minnesota, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail art by IUOMA member Linda French (Two Harbors, Minnesota, USA)

February 2, 2015 - Linda French has generously sent me this beautiful new work in a second mailing. Included are several abstract painted works (above and below). The piece above is on an approximately 8.5 X 11 inches sheet.

Due to the folds, I am not 100% sure how these are meant to be displayed; but I think this should give viewers a good sense of the art. Linda French also sent a large quantity of unaltered (except for cut-up) material likely meant for collage use in the Trashpo spirit:

The envelopes hold their own in this marvelous mailing:

And the reverse:

Many thanks to Linda French for more wonderful mail art!

[Linda French]

DV, I messed up a little again. I was saying LOL about what you said about the little people crawling up your arm, not about the painted paper.

I try not to make a big deal of it, but some of my favorite of my own art is the painted paper. I make other things, boekies and abstracts, watercolor, and collage, but for pure satisfaction and pleasure (both in the process and the results) I love to paint paper. Usually I do layer after layer until the result is as rich or as clean or as simple or as complicated or whatever, as I can make it. Until the finished product makes me happy. The 'happy' element is what counts for me. I don't necessarily feel that way about other artist's work -- it doesn't have to make me happy -- but happy is what my art is all about. I want a certain delight in the things I make. They don't have to be beautiful, but if a piece doesn't strike that chord in me, it isn't finished.  That's what I've tried to teach my kids, too. "If you don't like it, if you're not satisfied, it's not finished." They are all artists.  --Linda

[De Villo Sloan]

I'm used to this. I received what appeared to be the contents of an entire waste basket once. Serves me right. The painted pieces are very subtle. I think those can stand without alteration.

[Linda French]

LOL!  If they would be useful to you, feel free to use the painted paper in projects, or you could also send it on.  Yours to use or not. Keep, toss, or line the bird cage. hee hee 

If the little people are climbing up your arm, St. Paddy's Day can't come too soon!  --Linda

[De Villo Sloan]

Right, I see little people climbing all over everything all the time. A bunch of 'em are climbing up my arm as I write this. We're planning for St. Patty's Day.

[Linda French]

You are very welcome. Did you happen to see the little people climbing on the envelope?  --Linda