Heavenly wonders of Herman Kamphuis

It's a trip around the world of antiquities, history, news from times gone by from Herman this time.  I read the visuals and see social commentary through the stories, the juxtaposition and all together I delight in the beaut and meaning. I see the wonders through Herman's eyes. 

Profiles. I love them! One has to wonder if this beauty's 'Daemon' is a bird...

If you don't know Arvo Part, you can listen here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z76I0gwKmu0 
My studio radio station (BBC 3) plays his music fairly regularly and when they do I have to stop and listen.  How did Herman know? Look at the way Herman uses paper here!  It helps me to see this woman as a feline creature, a beauty.

And here, the cut paper feels like a kaleidoscope, taking me back in time. One has to think about the stories this young man knows now… did he serve in the war and whose grand father is he now?

Herman tells me:  'it's all about memory and told stories…' 

 As ever, I love the gorgeous expressive faces from Herman… I can feel some new stamps coming on!

This envelope feels a bit like a bandage, stitched together to hold Herman's time capsule… We find the contents of Voyageur, an American Flag, some people from the past and objects we recognise from years gone by.  The stamps are an observatory, an airplane - technological advances of our lifetime.

To learn more about the beautiful Mistinguette: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistinguett

Thank you, Herman, and sorry it's taken me a while to pen your letter.  It was certainly worth the wait, though!

Catching up with Simon Warren

Simon! I love seeing into your visual mind too. I think I mentioned that when I had the Memories are Made of this exhibition at Old House (Pimlott Foundation) I took all the mailart that had been sent in (uncounted but lots and lots) and either displayed the pieces or had a big box for people to look through.  I had 60 something from Simon so took a special Simon box for those and laid out the newest - the six previous ink dances.  I had lots of interest in the ink dances (particularly) from artists and other people liked reading about Tring etc.

Years ago I got to know Jennifer Bartlett's work. Her book, In the Garden, is one of my most treasured sources for inspiration. http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/jennifer-bartlett-698.  In the 80s she went to Italy and rented a house and drew from the garden, which did not inspire her at first, but became a constant source of experiments in the end. I find that Simon uses his life in a similar way.  Perhaps we all do, one way or another.

I have been quite snowed under - not a good choice of cliche as it's piping hot today - but you know what I mean... so am only just beginning the process of archiving all the wonderful stuff I've received recently. I sent Simon a little nothing yesterday to ackowledge all the instalments I have received from him and until today not documented.  I wonder if Simon knows I'm the judge of the IUOMA MOBMA competition this month.  http://iuoma-network.ning.com/group/iouma-mobma-museum-of-bad-mail-art We have loosely asked for portraits.  Simon, these don't qualify.