Jan exchange envelop to Eric - fraktur

There have been some other fraktur envelopes. Sadly, I do not keep track of who gets what kind of envelope. It would be really cool if I could click on a name and see everything I have sent to each individual person. A tempting project. Not on a front burner.


If time permits, there will be more color on the drawing.

Time permitted:

I (heart) fraktur

Off topic - Fraktur

Some time ago there was a post about one of my favorite jobs, creating a fraktur-esque broadside for a client. I delivered it during one of the summer months and then a couple weeks before Christmas, the client called and wondered if I could do another version in a smaller size. Luckily, I had plenty of time and it is a-l-w-a-y-s fun to do a job the second time as there are almost always things I would tweak.

So, that sent me off looking at fraktur art again and I ran across this cool piece. It is just under 8x10-inches and sold for $53,125 at Sotheby's. It warms my heart to see funky little designs on paper go for prices like that. In some ways, it's absurd. But, in other ways, I get a kick out of such humble work by anonymous artists being valued.

I do have a fraktur label, but it only shows two marker envelopes. I'll try to go back and find the other fraktur items.

If you want to read more about this piece:
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2014/so-esmerian-n09106/lot.679.html

Alison's Purple Fraktur

Second of three.

When I took the photo, I cropped off some of the left side. I intended to refold this and crop the right side, too. Then, I forgot. SO it ended up with extra white space on either end and I actually liked it better that way. The address was in gray G-Tec under the line at the bottom, in one line. I like the dried up marker look. 

Grace's Fraktur birds

First of three that were inspired by Pennsylvania Dutch or German fraktur drawings.

In the clear-out-stacks mode, I found a stack of penciled fraktur ideas. They seemed perfect for the exchange after I used up all the pet stamps. The top bird's head is too small. I like the proportions on the bottom bird. I am drawn to fraktur designs because they are so un-trained. I loved these stamps because they have pale gray which is perfect for the addresses. Somehow, black would be too strong.

I filled in the drawing with markers that are nearly dried up. Colored pencils would have been lovely as well. Of course watercolor or gouache would be dreamy. S-o-m-e-d-a-y.

I had to rescan this one because I like the way the birds are talking. Once again, an accident was an opportunity to make it a little more fun.