A maiden voyage and pussy willows

Delighted to receive Mailart from a ’femail’ Donna MacPherson who has spread some spring cheer  in an original print card she was inspired to make  when she found some pussy willows in the park. 

Not sure if you can tell, but I am writing from airplane seat #30 on my way to the states. I have been rushed off my feet so am carrying the pile of mail art I have accrued to blog and hopefully to respond to.  I feel terrible! Especially about someone who was so generous to someone she trusted and had never met. 

Rest assured I appreciate your mail ART! I will bring it across the pond and archive it at the Nayland Farm mail art site, but in the meantime,I am enjoying it on a darkened plane.

I sure hope it isn’t too cold in Maine (not too far from Canada)  but if it is that will be an excuse to get to work on some return mail art!

Thank you!

Conversing with Ben Westley Clarke

A few weeks ago I was on that annoying train from London to Stowmarket that isn't really a train.  It's an underground, a bus and finally a train. It takes forever. I had been to see my NY running partner of thirty years ago's daughter, who I'd never met.  We had a thoroughly wonderful day visiting the Tate.  I had left home early that morning and had zillions of things to do at home before I went to Maine.  I was the second person on the bus and I knew I wanted an aisle so I asked the young man who was already seated if he minded if I sat next to him.  That young man was Ben Westley Clarke and it turned out that we had a lot to talk about, so I never read my book, or wrote my list… instead we gabbed the whole way to the final train.

Here's a link to Ben's website, although this time it looks as if you can't see much of his work.  He must be 'spring cleaning'. http://www.benwestleyclarke.com. Not only did Ben grow up in Ipswich, he loves to paint and draw and to teach. I am absolutely delighted to have these original prints from Ben! His painting work reminds me of the German Expressionists and the bottom print (for me) is reminiscent of Toulouse Lautrec! Wow he makes great marks and look at how they are composed, poetry! And they smell like a print studio.