The Collage is the Main Course

Jon sent me two beautiful collages as well as what I think of as 'freebies' in mail art. Sticker Dude is the master of 'freebies', but Jon also stuffs a mean envelope. The Collage, is the 'main course' though.  Often I have received tape transfers from Jon, these collages are equally strong and effective.

Jon has an American enthusiasm that I know and appreciate, too.

Thanks Jon. 

As a side note, you know I archive everything, but sometimes mail art becomes an inspiration for something else. The painting that took inspiration from another piece you sent me is hanging on my studio wall.  `i was sure it was going to be selected by the Royal Society of British Painters. They chose a different oneof mine, though.  I will need to submit it to something else and if it gets accepted your mail art will live on in another kind of nonor or infamy.  Thanks!  

 

Variations on a Passport

When I was at Uni, learning to paint, my professors wanted me to paint and draw like a kid.  They taught me to respond intuitively. That would result in the gold the standard, the authentic 'pure' stuff, they opined. Jon's mail art is not self conscious, but it is often about self, it is sure-footed and inate. His portraits remind me of photo booth mug shots.  Above and below are about the same size as a passport. Where are we going? (It's a beautiful collage, too).

What I have always noticed about Jon's mail art is that it is rooted in mail art.  It looks back and it plays forward.  His iconic tape transfers are Jon's unique selling point but his photocopies are always funny, unique and spot on.

Thanks Jon. Perhaps you will get something from me on Cranberry Island soon!
 

Hey How are You?

Jon's mailings are surprising because they are full of stuff and some of the stuff is really excitng, and for me, the pieces that rise to the top are his unique tape transfers. But all the other stuff makes me smile and wonder.  It is recogniseable mail art.  These pieces remind me of monopoly money but instead of being monopoly 'tender', they are newsy, informative, philosphical, communicative and instructive. They are also graphic, and often funny. If I didn't know, I'd think Jon was an english teacher

Huge thanks and hopefully I will respond soon!
 

Yikes! Gangu Ginko

You send to some people because you have a conversation going on.  You send to some people because you know they 'get' you or your work.  And you send to some people because you want something back.  Jon foster is one of my transactional mail art correspondents. This isn't something good to admit, I know, but what can I say? Jon has not disappointed me with this beguiling tape transfer! It's asemic quality makes me think of islamic grafitti.  It's so unique, so other, so cool! And the colours are GREAT. Huh, this will never be sent to a charity shop! 

Jon is also a great writer and, I imagine, a great teacher.  Who wouldn't listen to this guy?

In these covid times, fluxus bucks must be worth more than usual. To be honest, I'm all for bartering. I have a punnet of sungold tomatoes.  What do you want to trade?

Life is like a walk in the woods with a zebra, or something. It certainly is different these days.

Thank you Jon, You make me smile.

How to use this toilet

 Delighted to have a new Jon Foster tape masterpiece! I can't explain it but it makes me think of watermelon. I guess that is my synesthesiac reaction. 

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As I type I am listening to tune in to get a fix of the USA news.  As ever these days it is pretty crazy in the free world. Jon is equipping me in case things get really nuts. Or MORE nuts.  And Jon is right, mail art does bring freedom!

In my opinion we are in one big cistern at the moment and I am thankful to given instructions on how to cope. It sure stinks these days 

The envelopes go round and round

John Foster's adorable 10 page, 20 sided add and pass boekie made out of old envelopes (with their  stamps, or part of their stamps) is sheer genius! It's simple, haptic, surprising quality makes me want to get doodling or stamping immediately. I also thought about taking it apart and altering it but I like the crispness as it is so will be good. 

Does he really want me to leave some space for others or should I fill it to the brim and send it back?http://thejonfoster.blogspot.co.uk

So pleased to be on Jon's mailing list again.  Now what am I going to do to stay there?

Postal Protesting with Jon Foster

 It doesn't happen often, but this time I opened Jon's envelope and began altering its contents before I had scanned the original!  I feel awful.  I rarely post my own mail art at the postal ledger, but in this case I will, because otherwise you will miss the key bit of this mailing from Jon, a Trump protest postcard to do what I like with.

Yes, I'd happily cover him in stinging insects. 

My current thing is to take a series of stamps and doodle them into a story about Trump and bottoms. You may be shocked, but this guy has unlocked something base in all of us.  I am certainly going to use it on him. 

I might even win the bad poetry prize!