Received: Larned Justin's mail art meets Main Street (Missouri, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

September 12, 2010 - Larned Justin's mail art arrived, along with other pieces by Bifidus Jones (Minnesota) and Jen Staggs (Texas). In this artwork (above), Larned uses a phtoto of the classic U.S. small town upon which to overlay complementary images creating, for me, an overall vintage and ghostly impression. I had seen Larned's work at the IUOMA but until now never looked at it closely. He definitely has a distinctive style. I can appreciate the humor intended in this piece but also note an almost dark quality. This has to do with his choice of subject matter. "Main Street" is familiar and pervasive throughout the U.S. Larned inhabits it with references to the past and bygone characters of popcult, overseen by ominous flying skulls. I think of Sherwood Anderson's "Winesburg, Ohio." Larned also carries his images onto the exterior:

You can see more of Larned's work here: http://candidcartoons.com

Larned Justin's mail art made me also think of all the notable U.S. art about Main Street, and I dug up this Charles Burchfield painting, "End of Day," from 1938, produced during another notable economic downturn:

[De Villo Sloan]

(lol) that's why I stayed clear of them. "Indeterminate floating signifiers." Very tricky. Glad you clarified. Relieved they're not car logos.

[Larned Justin]

The cats are wearing necklesses with a peace sign on them. but, I guess it could be a Mercedez logo. lol

[De Villo Sloan]

Hi Larned, thanks for the mail art. I still have a little more revising to do. I noticed, I think, Mercedez or BMW logos? Or is it some accident of the old cartoons? I'm not going to pursue that but did note. It was a perfect chance to use Burchfield's stuff from The Great Depression. Later.

[Larned Justin]

De villo, Thanks for taking time to analize, and write your thoughts regarding my mail art piece. You have pretty much nailed what I was thinking about when creating the picture.