Mail Art!

I found out about Canadian artist Jessica Gowling’s artwork through Twitter some time ago, and became really interested in the Mail Art that she does. She creates beautiful packages of fun and interesting art and ephemera that she sends to other artists around the world, and in return they create packages for her. After doing a zine-swap with Jessica in April, I really wanted to make a nice mail art package for her and finally got round to it a few weeks ago. I have to admit to getting a bit carried away making my package… from worrying that I wouldn’t have anything to go in it, I ended up with way too much! Here are some pics of what I sent:

There were a few little bits of my artwork including a pencil drawing and some prints, some photos of my garden wildlife and my street, some 70s fashion, a letter, and various other odds & ends. Within the package there was also a little tissue paper parcel containing some ‘Loteria’ cards from Mexico, a flower, a doll from Guatemala, and some badges/magnets.

There was also a Mexican peso!

I included an envelope containing some postcards & cards by a few of my UK illustrator friends… and some tiny samples of Japanese handmade paper

There were other nature stickers, a bird illustration postcard, and possibly my other favourite item: an awesomely random advert coupon for a lawnmower catalogue!

I can’t wait to do more mail art… it’s so great to receive stuff in the post, and reminds me of the fun and silly letters I used to write to friends as a child. Jessica’s blog Nature’s My Friend is a fascinating read, and she (somehow) manages to post virtually every day! Do check it out to see what other creative projects she does with artists worldwide… from ongoing mail collaborations, to trout decals that get sent around the world and have to be stuck in interesting public places! Amazing stuff. Highly recommended.