The Agonizing Decision Can Only Be Hers

Keep Your Laws Off My Body!

Men Should Not Be Making Laws About Women's Bodies

It's Too Hard to Care for a Baby

Postcard from Hong Kong. 

According to Wikipedia, "abortion is legally available in Hong Kong." It goes on to say, "In 2004, a news report found that the abortion rate of Hong Kong was the highest in the developed world...Medical experts attributed the high rate to inadequate sex education in schools. "

My Body My Choice

A postcard from Poland. 

Effective January 28, 2021, Poland has enforced a near-total ban on abortion. According to Wikipedia, "Abortion in Poland is legal only in cases when the pregnancy is a result of a criminal act or when the woman's life or health is at risk." According to BBC, "The court justified its ruling on the grounds that 'an unborn child is a human being' and therefore it deserves protection under Poland's constitution which ensures the right to life."

All Women Should Have the Right

I Do Believe in Maternal Healthcare

One Child Policy

Choice is Difficult

No Man Can Decide Instead of Us

A postcard from the Ukraine with the comment, "I def. in for the right for women to choose what to do with their bodies! No man can decide instead of us." According to Wikipedia, "Abortion in Ukraine is legal on request during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Between 12 and 28 weeks, abortion is available on a variety of grounds, including medical, social and personal grounds, and for any reason with the approval of a commission of physicians."

A Woman's Decision

It's Complicated

Support Right to Choose

Never Again!

Two fiber art postcards received on January 15, 2022. 

(Pro-Choice) but with moral reservations

The first postcard was received on January 13, 2022 and expresses the complexity of the issue. 

CALL FOR ART: I DO BELIEVE POSTCARD SHOW

I am organizing a postcard exhibit with the theme, I Do Believe, on opinions about abortion. The woman’s right to abortion in the United States became Federal law on January 22, 1973 through the Supreme Court Case, Roe v. Wade. Individual states could no longer have their own laws that would contradict the provisions of this Supreme Court decision. But the passage of Roe v. Wade did not put the issue of abortion rights to rest. Recent cases under review in the Supreme Court may change or overturn abortion rights in many States. There are widespread disagreements among United States politicians, media, and citizens about abortion. I would like to receive your personal point of view about this complex and difficult topic.    

To participate, please write on the front of your card (the side with the picture) your belief on either right to life (against legalized abortion) or right to choose (legalized abortion). It can be a few words, one sentence, or a paragraph. You do not have to be an artist to participate. It can be in English or any country's language.

The card should be the standard postcard size of 6 x 4 inches (148 x 105 mm in Europe). You can use any commercial postcard or you can create your own. You can mail your postcard with or without an envelope. For all postcards received, I will black out the name of the sender to safeguard anonymity. 

The purpose of this exhibition is to share beliefs, opinions and experiences on all sides of this issue. Postcard comments will be documented in this mail art blog. From August 29 - September 26, 2022, the postcards will be exhibited together, without prejudice or judgement, at the Vargas Gallery, Mission College in Santa Clara. Postcards will not be returned.

The deadline is June 30, 2022.  Mail your postcard to : I Do Believe, c/o P. Otani, PO Box 31083, San Francisco, CA 94131.

I hope that you will share your thoughtful, heart-felt beliefs, whatever they may be, on this complex and important subject. Please share this call for postcards with your friends and organizations.

2019: HAPPY YEAR OF THE PIG!

A lively image of a wild boar leaping over a spring seedling. This was my New Year card for this year. 

A jaunty pig drawn by Bill Traylor. It is going to a Postcrosser living in Japan. 

Chinese New Year is coming up on February 5 and I hope to make a visit to Chinatown to take in the festivities.

Women Do It! Postcards Shipped

A variety of postcards in the Women Do It! exhibition. We have 372 entries now and they will be exhibited at the Torpedo Factory in Washington DC in February.

Motorcycles and Hares

Some recent cards sent to Postcrossers. The Dallas postcard depicting JFK and Jackie just before the assassination went to a Postcrosser in the Czech Republic. His profile indicated that he loved motorcycles. The motorcade was the only motorcycle card I had in my vast collection of postcards. Alas, I only received a prefunctory acknowledge of receipt. No doubt JFK didn't even register with this person in a distant country, and he was probably born eons after that tragic day.

The antics of rabbits and frogs went to a Postcrosser in the Netherlands who loves hares and the idea of postcrossing spreading the love around the globe. I echo her sentiments about postcrossing. The card is from the Kyoto screen paintings titled choju giga or frolicking animals. Thought to be ink brush paintings of the 12th century, the artist is unknown. I've always loved these animal images and had the pleasure of visiting the Suntory Museum in Tokyo a number of years ago when these screens and related ones were on display. 

Happy New Year!