Within Spring 1 ATC

One of two ATCs entitled: Within Spring

2.5 x 3.5 Inches (6.35 x 8.9 cm)
Ink and Watercolor on
140# (300 gsm) Cold Press
Bright White Arches Watercolor Paper

88s Shrine

Ink and Watercolor on
140# (300gsm) Cold Press
Bright White Arches Watercolor Paper
4 x 6 Inches (10.2 x 15.25 cm)

Another version of one of the 88 Sins Shrines in postcard size.

Two 88 Sins Shrine ATCs

Ink and Watercolor on
140# (300gsm) Cold Press
Bright White Arches Watercolor Paper

These ATCs are a result of a recent visit to Kauai (a neighboring island) where I sketched the form of a shrine similar to these that fascinated me. That shrine was created by monks who had created a walking path of 88 shrines.

While on Kauai for a week I worked on 22-25 ATCs, 25-30 pages in a sketchbook and took 400+ photographs all of which will probably show up in some way or influence my work for some time. For the time being I will probably keep the ATCs I did on Kauai because they are so connected to the trip. Recently I have begun to create ATCs and other work for Mail Art projects using the work I did while on Kauai as inspiration. These I will use in Mail Art swaps and other projects.

Postal Stamp Postcard Swap Postcards: MAIL ME

These postcards are for a 3/3 mail art swap (send in 3, receive 3 in return). The only requirements being 4 x 6 inch (10.2 x 15.25 cm) postcards, each with at least 3 used snail-mail postage stamps on the card and that the cards be un-addressed with an available message space.




All 5 postcards are on either 140# (300 gsm) Cold Press Strathmore Watercolor Paper (4 cards) or 140# (300 gsm) Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paper (1 card).

In addition to the postage stamps I've used watercolor, acrylic, ink, graphite and colored pencil on each postcard.

I've been wanting to play with stencils again and this seemed like a great opportunity to do so. The stencil i used is a simple small plastic one that is old enough to be breaking up easily. While working i was wondering how much longer i would be able to use it for actual lettering so I'm glad i managed to use it on all 5 postcards. Some of the letters were made using 3 broken pieces to form the letter.




The Fifth postcard (above right) has one of my own Plumeria Blossom 23¢ postcard stamps from my 19 Planets cafepress shop (from a time when postcards were 23¢ to mail).




This postcard has a 25¢ letter stamp from 1990. i like to keep the cancellation mark with stamps as much as possible because i think they are visually interesting as well as providing bits of information like city and date as well as other phrases or images occasionally.




This is the obverse side of the third postcard. All 5 cards are similar to this on the message side.

Tomorrow (later today) I plan to mail the 3 cards that i will be submitting to the Postal Stamp Postcard Swap.

Tree ATC

Title: Tree
2.5 x 3.5 inches (6.35 x 8.9 cm)
Ink and Watercolor on
Arches Bright White 140# cold press Watercolor Paper

An ATC with a tree potted as in bonsai. bonsai is a theme i return to often. this is one i did working out the idea for the 4x4 piece Trees i posted a couple of days ago. I may use this ATC in an open theme Mail Art swap group.

Feather To The Sky

this is an ATC (Artist Trading Card) from a few months ago entitled:

To The Sky

Ink, Watercolor, Acrylic, Grommets and Punch on Watercolor Papers.

ATCs are always 2.5 x 3.5 inches (6.35 x 8.9 cm). the same size as baseball trading cards or a standard card from a USA deck of playing cards (hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades).

i frequently work with feathers as imagery. personal symbols have become visual elements in my work.

working several pieces at one time for mail art swaps has become a habit. creating 3 or 4 pieces more than required for a swap allows me to keep a couple. one as documentation and resource/inspiration for future pieces. another may be used for display purposes as well as back ups incase there are late players added to a swap.

One Start Another Stop

aloha & Welcome to More 19 Planets.















Title: One Thought Next To Another

One of these planets will become my current abode. however for now art, bonsai, stones and life about the middle of the pacific ocean also work well for me... as do some of the other 10,000 things.

as a first posting to this blog (above) i've added a 4x4 watercolor and ink piece i did recently. i did two of these. one has been sent off as part of a Mail Art Swap. the image below is another 4x4 watercolor and ink piece sent off in the same swap.















Title: Trees

because i do things and work in sizes other than 4x4 i thought i'd add a 4x6 postcard too.















Title: Night Shore

have fun reading, viewing and exploring what i do here. commenting is welcome - have fun. aloha - Wrick