Sept from Cathy - Icelandic horse video

A good example of how simple and straight-forward can be sublime.

I've corresponded with Cathy long enough to know that Cathy's skills have been honed in quite a few lessons with the rock stars in calligraphy. The style on the insert is quite different from the uber-disciplined italics on the envelope. I would have to dig through my file to find the card and try to figure out if the card is something Cathy did or if it is a commercial card. But, figuring that out won't make a difference. Since I am on a binge of delving into people and the types of classes or workshops they have taken - I can't really think of examples of Cathy's work that are loose. So my guess is that this is not her work.  As a reward for getting 5 more posts written, I will do a search on the blog and see if there are loose examples from Cathy that I am forgetting.

Of course that little *initial* in the corner might be a clue that this is not Cathy's work...

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Real time update, I did not get around to doing that search.

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An off-topic add-on - for people who like horses and/or Iceland

Link to video

Sept from Juliana - math/font topic

Juliana sent this in Sept. I am writing this on Oct 17. Her October envelope arrived yesterday and it had a note enclosed that was block printing that looked like Juliana was/is an architect. But, I think she's too young to have been studying back in the day when architects had to letter everything beautifully on the blueprints. So - maybe Juliana will fill me in on whether she's had training as an architect or graphic designer or sign painter. Her lettering skill could be entirely self taught.  I'll report back if I find out.

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Two add-ons today - first one is for stamp nerds afficianados - people are posting the new 2025 stamp designs. USPS should be announcing theirs very soon. You may see stamps from other countries here.

https://community.postcrossing.com/t/new-stamps-issued-in-2025/915513/3

We'll be adding a snake to our Chinese New Year series - aren't these from Singapore wOnDeRfuL!!!!

***

And here is an add-on for the math nerds afficianados -- although I have no idea how many we have....there is a tie in with fonts - and we probably have a few of those.

Perhaps there is math+font nerd afficianado who reads the blog. If you are neither, your gift for the day is that you will not be tempted to click on the link and will get going on the stuff that truly needs to be done today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSzaC7CgHtI

If you watch the video that shows how the special math characters were invented with a typewriter, here is the new-fangled way to to get them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShOJYrZaMJU

Sept from Amy and Irene's insert - left-handed video

Amy is another person who encloses notes in her envelopes and I have the impression that she was not an art major but since she found the exchange she has enjoyed trying out some of the things I jabber about. If I'm wrong about that - Amy can email me a clarification - and I'll edit this. I am scrambling like crazy to get a bunch of posts filled but the one thing that I seem to be able to do is check my blog and make prompt edits when necessary.

This was tucked into Irene's envelope which I posted on the first of the month - 

Idea from Traci Thompson - LINK to Traci Thompson's Instagram

This is a link to just one Traci's posts. For some of you it will be hard to wrap your head around. She is left handed and the way she positions her paper makes it almost upside-down - which looks hard - but - it is the most perfect video I have ever seen that illustrates how a person needs to position the paper to correspond to the way they hold their pen. With left-handed people - there can be a *hook* where their hand is curved around. My younger son is left handed and I delved into all the details of how left-handed-ness works. I found it fascinating - but will not go any deeper here. 

LINK to left handed penmanship

 

Sept from Lynne - Folly Tree Arboretum

These colors look so nice on the kraft paper. The close tone of the petals to the background make them look so delicate and then the contrast with the centers give them dimension. The variations in light and dark add to the overall effect. Part of that might have happened when Lynne started at the top with a loaded brush - but if it was intentional - it's a very good technique to notice and then use in your own work. 

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Add on today is an article from the NYTimes - they usually allow one article before putting up their firewall. It's a very aesthetically pleasing arboretum - LINK to article 

If you can't get to the article - here is a link to the arboretum. https://follytreearboretum.com

It was hard to choose photos - they are all so interesting - plus, each has a story. Caution - do not enter if you have a long to-do list for today.

Japanese Umbrella Pine

Munchkin Ginko

 

Sept from Sharen - pause or end of the design topic

Sharen's envelope illustrated what I have been jabbering about - design - and the choices we make when we are composing our envelopes. I think she made this envelope out of a page from a coloring book so she had to decide where to make the folds. The image was going to be cropped. And she might have considered how the stamp would fit in. Other choices were colors and the placement of the address label and then the little bear-sticker. It's always fun when the USPS appears to be contributing to the design. Choosing to put the cancel in the lower left was perfect. Although we have to stay sane and acknowledge that it was just random.

That thing from yesterday that I was going to continue to jabber about was the hierarchy of the various kinds of art - commercial or *fine* --- and IMHO - the whole debate is a non-issue.  People love to debate - but - it's a deeply personal perspective. It's like snowflakes. Each one is supposedly unique and when it comes to *art* - it's so personal. It took me a long time to accept that if a person prefers Bob Ross paintings to Rembrandt -- that's fine. I need to respect that they have their preferences and I have mine. 

I just picked Rembrandt out of thin air. I don't mean to put him on any pedestal. If the Louvre called me up and asked me to come choose one thing to take home - it would not be a Rembrandt. 

Abrupt halt to this train of thoughts. We might come back. Feel free to send me your own perspective - as this is IMHO a very fun topic - but not one that's going to go very far if I am just talking to myself.

 

Sept from Janet - more art talk

 

Janet went with collage for September. The line under my name says:  The imaginative use of space and weight in this alphabet makes it delightfully elegant and subtle. 

I keep forgetting to ask Janet for details on her educational background in art. I suspect she's had some classes in design. She's skilled at drawing as well as composition - or design. Design is such a broad concept - which is why I am continuing with the topic. 

Everyone has heard of an interior designer or fashion designer - so I think *design* is often associated with 3D. But, we've all heard of graphic designers - and that's 2D - but it is also very much associated with *commercial art* - and to some people, if it is *commercial* it's not *fine art.* 

When I was in college 1969-1972 - the major for graphic design was called commercial art. I do not recall when the label switched over to graphic design. Either way, it will never solve the debate over whether art that is created for commercial purposes is *less than* fine art. Enough for today - will continue this topic tomorrow.

This eyeball was on the back of the postcard - and is a reference to the words on the front of the postcard about the woman who has done *half an eyeball.* That is one fine eyeball, Janet.

Sept from Hadley - 50 States Song

 

This envelope is from a. new exchanger, Hadley. She patiently drew a cable stitch which brought back fond memories of my knitting days. I loved doing the cable stitches and still have a small stash of yarn and a medium stash of needles. I'm saving them as a reward when I get my hoard reduced to perfection. It was fun to ponder a question that a friend asked me quite some time ago: When will you know you have reduced the hoard to perfection? Good question. I have designated zones - and everything needs to be condensed down so that I have an exact measurement of the volume of stuff. 

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An off-topic add-on that is something I would have enjoyed getting my grandkids to learn, but I missed that window when they were learning the states. Maybe some of you with younger grandkids can get them to learn this song....listing the 50 states.

LINK to The 50 States in Rhyme

Sept from Leslie - Zonkers assignment

This second idea, inspired by the Calder piece is a much looser interpretation. It reminded me of a truly memorable assignment I had as a freshman art major. It was homework for my class in design - to do while we were home for Thanksgiving. The snack food, Screaming Yellow Zonkers had just come out and our assignment was to create 5 drawings inspired by the package. It would be fun to see those drawings - but all my student work is gone - except for one thing that I will post next time I see it.

Of course I had to do a search to find an image of Screaming Yellow Zonkers. There was a long article about how they were way ahead of their time in the concept of frequent variations in the packaging and a design that stood out from all the typical snack foods. 

As I have said many times - unless you went to art school, you might not realize that learning to draw is only 50% of your degree in art. The other 50% is *design* - which is how you compose (or arrange) the elements. 

I've said it many times --- I was/am mediocre at best in my actual skills at drawing or lettering when compared to the true rock stars in art and lettering - I'm better at the design - or cleaver ways to present the mediocre elements - so that the mediocrity of the lettering is less noticeable.

This was just one of many different designs I found when I Googled to see if I could find the original package. One of the features of the package was that it was constantly changing. Now I wonder if it was a trail blazer in the world of marketing. 

 

Sept from Leslie

Leslie was inspired by a Calder piece she saw while on a trip to DC - pictured below. Above is the front of the envelope with the stamp - below, she repeated the image. Leslie is one of the growing number of people who puts the recipient's address on the back to insure that the USPS only has one option for delivering. I like how Leslie came up with a very creative design - but it still allows for the address to be clear and scanner friendly.

She also mentioned that she came home with a ton of ideas for envelopes - inspired by other works of art - and sites she saw in DC. 

This is the inspiration piece. She sent a second envelope that we will see tomorrow.

Sept from Irene - November exchange sign-up

 Holy cow - this is spectacular. Irene signed up for a class with Kathy Milici. I've met Kathy a couple times - long ago at conferences. It's been fun to watch her presence in the calligraphy community grow. From time to time I have conversations with people who started in traditional calligraphy and now find it difficult to loosen up. I always forget to mention Kathy as someone who seems to have figured out how to do it. She's also skilled at teaching it.  LINK to Kathy's Instagram

Time for the November exchange sign-up.

Today through November 4th is the window to sign-up. Lists are sent on the 5th.

If you participated in the October exchange - just shoot me an email that says: SIGN ME UP - you do not need to retype your address and info.

Let me know if it is your [Birthday] month or if you are willing to be on [2 Lists].

If you were not on the October list - or only sign up occasionally - or are a new exchanger - please send your information in the following format:

Jane Doe

123 Oak Street

Ames, IA 50010

[email protected]

[Birthday]  [2 Lists]

If you are new - here is a link with details about how the exchange works.

LINK to how the exchange works

June/July/whatever - from Janet and Carolyn

This was the post that I bumped on Oct 7th when I decided to talk about Halloween stamps.

Once again - I think I missed some envelopes when I was doing them by month. The one above is from Janet. She said she finally found something that worked on shimmer envelopes - Tombo markers and then you smudge the ink with a tissue. Of course, when I find images that I forgot to post - I can't always find the stack of envelopes in which they reside - so - my new thing is to photograph the messages. We'll see if that works.

Carolyn sent some fun Legos - or maybe they are tiles or bricks - or something else. I wonder if I have stated that I am as fond of grids as I am of dots? If not - consider it stated. I guess this isn't a grid. It's rows. I like rows. Ooooooh - time to revisit the posts on Knolling - that *thing* where people line things up. So satisfying.

 

Sept from Mia - testing Blogger feature

 

Mia had a note on the back of the coffee art saying that she had an issue with the space in the upper right. I think she meant upper left. I think it's fine because the bird is clearly staring at the stamp. That makes those two elements relate in a rather unusual way - but it works. I have my doubts that she actually used coffee on the card because I have worked in coffee and even coffee extract is thin and disappointing - but she nailed the color of coffee - and that's all that matters.

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https://www.pinterest.com/slaporte425/calligraphy/

https://www.pinterest.com/slaporte425/calligraphy/

This is a test for me. The top one was just a simple copy and paste. The bottom one is the same info plugged into the feature that inserts a link into the blog post. I'll figure out if they do the same thing.

If you go to the link you will see a random pin-board off Pinterest with tons of pointed pen examples. Also some pretty watercolor flowers. 

Sept from Mary - that student's painting

 

When I pulled this one out of the mailbox, that guy looked familiar, but I had to email Mary and ask who it is/was. And now with my scattered brain - all I can think of is Richard Diebenkorn which is not correct. OK - Lichtenstein, Roy Lichtenstein. Whew. I think that image of him was on the sheet of Lichtenstein stamps. And I think I will be appropriating this idea.

***

My post yesterday, talking about encouraging Janet to make a painting herself rather than looking for something to hang in her home reminded me of a favorite story from my teaching days. While I enjoyed the calligraphy classes - my favorite class was Art for the Intimidated. I've talked about it before. It was my own idea to offer a 7 week class to people who were intimidated by the studio arts program and to introduce them to a wide variety of mediums. By the end of the class most people were no longer intimidated and many went on to enjoy all kinds of classes.

One student who was enjoying all the different things we tried was inspired by my suggestion that if you liked abstract art it was pretty easy to buy a canvas and some paint and do your own version of pretty much anything you saw that you liked. Towards the end of the series of classes she shared something with the whole class. She was in the process of getting a divorce and her husband had shown up at the home where she was living with the kids - to pick up the kids for his time with them. He came into the front entryway and saw a large painting that was new. He made a snarky comment about the soon-to-be ex-wife spending money on art -- and she smiled as she told us how she let him know that she had done it herself - and it only cost ?? - I do not recall how much - but it was a modest sum.

It was nice to see how happy she was. I always enjoyed hearing from people who took my suggestions to *just make it yourself.*

Sept from C - Ann Miller's gallery

 

This is from a newer exchanger, C Canfield. She lives in Santa Fe and I just read an article about how even more artists are moving to Santa Fe. For as long as I can remember, it was a hot spot for artists. If it gets too saturated with artists maybe they will have to pick a new place. I wonder where it will be. They seem to like nice weather.

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This will conclude my links to Ann Miller. I hope this link takes you to the page with her gallery - where you will find 14 sub categories. She does a ton of stuff. Everything from silk scarves to books to murals. It's hard to choose which example to post....

I chose this one because it's in a category called *Letterfield paintings.* In the world of abstract expressionist painting (mid 1900s) there was a category called color-field - which were the big paintings that were just huge fields of color - no subject matter. Controversial - but, I liked them. I like that she came up with the term letter-field. 

I was having a conversation with Janet about her needing a painting for a specific place in her home. I suggested that she just make one - since she is very talented. I didn't have anything in mind - until I saw this. Now I am going to send it to her. I'm writing this a month before it appears. I hope by the time it pops up that Janet will have sent me a photo of her painting - inspired by this one - or maybe she will do something entirely different.

Sept from Patty - Ann Miller's classes

 

Patty enclosed a nice note describing her original plan which changed and then changed again and she ended by saying that she also had vertigo. So, IMHO she did a good job of riding a wave - and the result is lovely. Before I read the note, my first impression was that I wanted to get my watercolors out.

The vertigo was caused by hunching over her desk and she found someone to work the kinks out. Let that be another warning for all y'all to set your timers and every 20 minutes get up, walk around, stretch, turn your head in many directions and even *stretch* your eyes by looking out the window at things in the distance. Trust me --- this is valuable information.

The note was on the back of this card.

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Here is the link to Ann Miller's online classes. It looks like they are offered through Stanford. It keeps referring to *Stanford* - so I'm guessing that's Stanford University. But maybe not. She has Zoom classes scheduled for 2025. I do not do classes anymore - but if I did - I would be taking this 8 week class based on runes. My impression of runes is that they were done so long ago that I can just put on my clothes made out of animal skins and pretend I'm a rune-person. Yes, that makes me sound like I am somewhat uneducated - and to be honest - when it comes to runes - I am. But - IMHO - that's what's fun about messing around with the oldest shapes - they seem very welcoming to the *simple* folk. And that's the good kind of simple.

https://www.pennib.com/teaching

Sept from Rachael - Ann Miller

 

Rachael enclosed a note that this was her first attempt at a button stamp being stuck on a t-shirt and she thought it was *kindergarten-ish* - I think that's the word she used. I think it's clever and an idea I'll be using - although probably not for the exchange. When stealing for the exchange I tend to steal the ideas from Rachael that are nearly impossible to replicate. Those holly wreaths still haunt me.

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I have posted a couple things by Ann Miller previously. She's a fellow old-timer - we crossed paths at calligraphy conferences. She's still doing beautiful work and teaching. There is so much good stuff that I might post more than one day.

https://www.pennib.com/blog

That is a link to her blog - which isn't actually useful in terms of finding out where she is teaching - but there are some good images. Like this one. It's so simple - but so pretty. I'm thinking I should use the idea for a set of exchange envelopes. On any given month - these are the initials that show up regularly. 

A-C-G-I-J-K-L-M-P-R-S---and sometimes T

Sept from Christy and Lynne --- cool photos

I love black envelopes and have a few to use up - however - I have noticed that black envelopes take a long time to arrive. I feel like the scanners cannot read them. Apologies about my broken record comment that I need to find someone at the USPS to talk to about this. Maybe I will get it done before we get into their super busy season.

This is the beginning of the envelopes that arrived in September - although both of these were clearly marked as August envelopes (on the back) They did not arrive until some time in Sept - which is fine -- I'm just letting readers know that black envelopes might take longer.

Christy's is at the top, then Lynne's and then Christy's Sept envelope. My filing system is still under construction. I'm not sure whether it matters that the envelopes mailed on the last day of the month end up as the *early birds* in the following month.

 

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Some pretty photos - from the olden days - when people just took a picture of something and didn't use digital magic to enhance it.

LINK to 100 photos

I'm very drawn to the ones that feature trees - but there are so many others that are beautiful.

This one (above) reminded me of a photo I took in my *back yard* with just my phone. I hope it shows up (below). I tried a new way of inserting a photo.

Sept to Susan and Patty

It will come as no surprise that the minute I wrote the post yesterday announcing the end of the Sept outgoing envelopes, I found two more that have not been posted. I got out my 23K gold foil and filled in some of the spaces on Susan's and then forgot to take another photo. It was nice. 

Patty's envelope has appeared previously - pre-covid - but still in the Forever era. I always loved it and when I posted it, there was a pencil name and address - but, I never mailed it - so I erased the pencil and addressed it to Patty. Then I hand delivered it because I am doing everything I can to send scanner friendly mail.

I forgot to take pictures of the items inside. Grrrr

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Then I found the image below - but there's no photo of the front of the envelope - I wonder if Patty received that envelope. It was a test to see if the USPS would deliver something with her address. There is a weird force field around her address that keeps sending perfectly acceptable mail back to its point of origin.

 

Sept to Mia - Sharpie Creative Markers

 This is the last one I sent in September and it made me very happy to figure out something for Mia. I've struggled with her name - and the international postage can throw a monkey wrench into the process. This time, the stamps were perfect inspiration and scattering 6 buttons is so much fun. It would take a lot of research and test runs to figure out a perfect way to replicate the styles and colors. These are pretty rough and were my first attempt - so, I wouldn't give this one a 100% - but it gets a solid 90%.

And with that -- we conclude the September envelopes that I sent. Next we will run the September envelopes that arrived. It looks like I am back on track - but, the minute I say that - chaos will return....so why did I say that?

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I keep referring to the *new Sharpie markers.* I don't like to recommend new products because it's impossible to predict how much other people will like the stuff I like - and I know for a fact that there are some very popular products that I can't stand --- but --- if you are an art supply junkie - you might as well give these a try. 

I have both the bold tips - bullet pointed and also the finer tips which have some of the flexibility of a brush marker - but *brush* is an overstatement. They are somewhat pointed and somewhat flexible.

https://www.sharpie.com/markers/new-creative-markers/

At the link above - you will see the product - and then you can click to the right - through several different images - and at the end there is a 50 second video - which you can click on and it has many fun examples - and bouncy music - to make the markers look like a whole lotta fun. I can't find a way to link directly to the video.

I do like that they do not bleed through paper. They are supposed to be wonderful on all sorts of materials - but, I have not tried them on anything other than paper.

Here is a random person showing 10 things to do with the markers. Her skill level is nowhere near what they have in the Sharpie video - which is to be expected. Sharpie will have a big budget production to make everyone feel like an artist. This link is more realistic - LINK to random person's video

OK -- here is a direct link to 15 seconds of big budget Sharpie promotion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW6RlvIFdWk

and.....if you have a ton of time to kill - here's the main page with all kinds of Sharpie videos.

https://www.youtube.com/@SharpieUS/videos

Sept to Irene - USPS podcast

 On the Sunday post, there was a quote from Janet's envelope and I couldn't find the author - and then - voila - it popped out of my stacks - It was from Christoph Neimann's manifesto for artists.

It surprised me that something so simple turned into something that was hard to mail. I really enjoyed looking at it. I used the new Sharpie markers. I think Irene emailed and asked if I used neon markers - and I said no - but I don't think I remembered that the address is neon gel pen. Those Sharpies really pop on the black.

I was looking for some new chore avoidance activities and decided to deal with old emails that have piled up. I found one where Kristine sent me a link to the USPS podcast. I do not recall posting it. I also have not gotten around to listening to it. Maybe I can get that done and add a critique to this post. Or maybe I will go address envelopes. I did 5 earlier - and then had to take a break. 

https://usps-mailin-it.simplecast.com 

I'm writing this on the last day of September so I am gearing up to do my October envelopes. There are more good ideas for Halloween than any other topic - with the possible exception of *flowers.* 

Sept to Alex --- Lego motor scooter

As previously mentioned, in September I finally made three envelopes that I just loved. I even delayed mailing them so that I could enjoy looking at them. It occurs to me that when I do something like that, I should make a little sample to keep for myself. Too many good ideas take off and I forget them. The lettering on this one could be better, but I don't bother with anything going to my granddaughter. I have a couple people in mind who often get duds. Hopefully, I'll remember to do something like this for them. You know who you are....or at least you will when this idea shows up in your mailbox.

I deeply regret that I don't pencil the ones to Alex - not that she'd notice - but if I am going to post them they should not have the hideous inconsistency in the width of the letters. Yuk to the nth degree.

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I don't like to link to anything that is going to take 30 minutes unless it relates to envelopes and mail art - but this one is delightful - if you like Legos. 

I want to know if anyone is working on life size furniture. I know I've seen plenty of things built out of Legos - but 3D printing has made the manufacturing of parts so much easier.

 

LINK to 30 minute video  which includes showing Matt Denton riding it.

Sept to Maggie and Mary -- garage door.

These were the first two that I did with the new Sharpie markers that have a finer and more flexible tip. It was easy to lean into the variations of foliage. I might do more of these to use up that set of stamps on Mary's envelope. I love the images, but, as mentioned - it's frustrating to have only one of each design.

After they were finished, I went back and added white gel pen highlights. 

Although, I can't see them on the pink and black snowflake - so maybe I didn't - but you can see them on the green and pink.

***

 This isn't a very good image and I can't remember whose garage door it is. It's something that I ran across about 30 years ago. Then I ran across it again while trying to figure out how to organize the photos on my laptop. So this is just a test to see what it looks like. 

In case you can't figure it out - the guy reproduced his exemplars on the inside of his garage door. It might be Buddy Blackwell - or that guy who invented the Whopperplate. Maybe someone knows and will let me know.