Greetings from San Francisco

An unexpected mail art card arrived. The front was a very San Francisco cable car card but the back was ful of interesting information. The cancellation is that of the SF Center for the Book. 

Genie from Kiev

Here is a fabulous genie card from a postcrosser in Kiev. I hope she is keeping safe amidst the troubles in her country. In response to my acknowledgement of the card and my concern for her safety she wrote that the situation there is indeed very difficult. 

Some Cards Sent

A postcrosser in Germany requested a handmade card. This card was made during a particularly harried time when the only time off I got was to make a batch of jello. Weird pleasure, I know.

A postcrosser in the Netherlands wanted a "book" card of any kind. I happened to pick up a batch of pulp fiction poscards at this year's Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale. I used to love these salacious book covers - the actual stories were never any good though. 

A postcrosser from the Ukraine wanted a happy card. This is one of my favorite cards from NYC of a bunch of guys frolicking during a frosh-soph rush at Columbia U. This tradition had died out by the time I attended that school in the 1970's.

And then...there is the Belarus postcrosser who collects cat statues. These are Egyptian mummy cats from the San Jose Rosicrucian Museum. I hope she enjoys them as much as I do!

Cosmonaut

After many months away on the job I am back! And what better way than to share this fabulous cosmonaut card from a postcrosser in Russia. What is he saying? "To infinity and beyond!" Or...some other inspiring phrase...I feel like I've been on a space journey myself...to strange & distant lands filled with ice and snow and women in all sizes and shapes. It will take a few weeks of decompression to get back to planet earth. Meanwhile, my city is warm and wet and sunny all at the same time. So glad to be back home.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! It is the Year of the Horse, and I'm looking forward to an energetic year. Lots of changes in store this year, and high on my list is a re-dedication to making art and perhaps doing a mail art show. I'm also ready to do a major house cleaning. And travel abroad. 

Ikuta Shrine in Kobe

My mother sent this retro postcard for Christmas. The Ikuta shrine is located in downtown Kobe and is still active today. The city has grown up all around it and no rickshaws are in sight, even for touristic purposes. The big mountain looming in the background must be Mt. Maya. It is considered one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Love the hand-coloring of this reproduction postcard. 

Christmas Tree

A simple embossed card from friend Geoffrey. Made by Austin Press at Hunter's Point. I must go check them out sometime.

Gollum Maxi Card - Altered

A fabulous maxi card from a New Zealand postcrosser. She added a messy mop of hair on top of Gollum's head. Actually he looks like a surfer dude with that hair. 

Christmas Beauty

Here's a lovely winter card from a postcrosser in Belarus. She illustrated the back of the card with floral decorations. The front is my favorite kind of card - lots of glittery snowflakes and snow-covered trees. I don't know why I love glitter so much. It is such a magical element, particularly in the winter. 

Het!

A fabulous Soviet-era anti-drinking postcard from a Russian postcrosser. I can't imagine anyone saying "no" to Stoly, however. Even I drank a glass or two when I visited Vladivostok back in 1999. I loved my trip to the Russia Far East. riding the overnight train to Khabarovsk and driving along vast stretches of highway with nothing but snow and pines.   

Red and White

An elegant Christmas card from Audrey. I got together with her and several other writer friends for a fun tapas dinner a few weeks before Christmas. This group has kept together for many years now over a play or simply a fun meal somewhere. We met at a writers' circle but few of us are still writing fiction. However, this is a great group to get reading lists of interesting novels.

Handmade Christmas Cards 2014

Susan quilted a vintage, repurposed Christmas card. Note the use of photo corners - something that seems to have disappeared along with photo albums.

Irma painted the remaining FIPs partners with knitting in the background.

Tanya created a lovely abstract card that incorporated staples.

Yuriko used silver and gold joss paper, and bits of paper scraps for a festive card.

I promise to get back into creating Christmas cards in 2014! In fact this is part of my New York resolutions. 

Lady Pumpkin

Friend Susan made this lovely Halloween card of seemingly random scraps of paper. I had to rub my fingers over the pumpkin - it looks like fabric. There is actually a ribbon tied on the pumpkin stem. Went to Half Moon Bay and picked out a pumpkin but never had time to carve it. When my niece and nephew visited over Thanksgiving, I did my annual pumpkin toss - a big heave-ho down to the garden from our second floor deck. 

Madonna Open Studios

Work has consumed me. Time has passed and I am just now getting around to posting some interesting cards. Here's an October Open Studio card from Paul Madonna. His pen & ink drawings and stories are quintessentially urban...it's a snippet of conversation you might overhear while walking around a San Francisco neighborhood. This one reminds me of the financial district, where I used to work in the 1980's and 90's. 

Rockpile

I love this amazing pile of rocks along the ancient coastline of Lauhansarven. Thanks to the Finnish postcrosser who sent it. How did these rocks form? Did a mountain crumble? Mysteries...mysteries...

Thunder Bay Pagoda

The Canadian postcross sprinkled glitter in the area around behind the pagoda and added a couple of stickers. This pagoda has nothing to do with Chinese pagodas. It was built as a tourist attraction for people arriving in town by rail or boat. It is designated as a national historic site.

Humor, Bathroom and Otherwise

Korean character, Jetoy choo choo cat postcard, altered. Card sent by a Dutch postcrosser. I have never heard of Jetoy cats, and this one is really sweet! Interesting assortment of toilet, bidet, towel for bidet, and toilet paper roll.

Altered card from Germany created by kids between 3-8 years old! I especially like the fangs on the girl!

An altered card from Germany. I love the way she traced the lines on the scale on the green background. And the fat lady is a collage! 

Special Delivery

A great mail card from a Dutch postcrosser. I suspect mail-themed postcards like these will disappear soon. If not for postcrossing, there wouldn't be much in the way of interesting mail. Sad that two of my letter-writing friends are no longer here. 

Oakland, My Oakland

My friend Susan sent this marvelous card about Oakland. It is a city much-maligned, but I love going there for their great art, restaurants, baseball, and many other amenities. 

Art for the House

Hospitality House is doing a fundraiser in our gallery next week. This nonprofit provides a daycare art center for the homeless. I've bought many pieces from artists who use their services. I hope we have a great turnout for the fundraiser! 

October 24, 6-10 pm at Arc Gallery, 1246 Folsom Street, San Francisco