The Bicycles arrive!

Last night, we went to our local for a late dinner, after the server took our order, another server, whom we've known for years, came over to me and said - "you left some of your mail here." I was puzzled by this, which she noticed on my face. "The bicycle mail." That was even more puzzling. "Last week, when cleaning up, we found mail with your address on it." She went and got it from the bar, where they'd stashed it. This is what she handed me.

What happened is this, or so I surmise - Someone chose a couple of the entries from the Mail Art exhibit that were in a box at the Coffee shop being offered to the public for free, to take home and display. They could donate to an animal rescue organization or not as they chose. AND that person, had dinner at Joe's Inn (our local) and left their choices behind. Boo Hoo, they are probably really sad about this. I have no idea who they could be, but I'll keep these safe and if anyone ever mentions to me that they lost their lovely choices, I can give them back.

What a successful exhibit! My most successful, and made so by ALL of the participants.  Oh happy heart!

Magda's photo has been on it's way to us for awhile. Happily, it finally arrived.
The photo was taken in front of the railway station in Groningen, the Netherlands.

 It reminds me of the first time I arrived in Amsterdam and was stunned by the number of bicycles parked in front of Centraal Station. Wow! was all I could say, and here I see it again in this photo. Thanks for the memories, Magda.

This large collage card was sent out on 27 July from Paris. It arrived after the deadline but I had a feeling there were a few cards still en route.

You can see how involved this card it, questions to be answered, information of interest, and it arrived intact though the center part of the front was bent up like a pop-up book.

Perhaps, Dean, you can let us know if anything came off of the front.
Thanks for this additional entry.

I received this today, past deadline, but Katerina wrote that it might arrive post deadline. I'm happy to add it to the blog and will bring it by the venue. There's a good chance that it'll be on display.
Thanks, Katerina, for another fun Mail Art piece.

B Kapp has sent us her two final cards, based on her text. Notice her playful dots? Thanks for all the Mail, B Kapp. We've enjoyed receiving it. See you at the finish line, indeed.

Piro is active in the international Mail Art community. What a wonderful vintage print with color added. I love seeing the old time cycling costumes. Imagine women cycling with such long skirts. Perhaps, he'll tell us the technique that he used to add the color.

Thanks, Piro.

Mariana sent two more entries for the exhibit. They are quite large and as my scanner is small, I was only able to get a portion of each of these wonderful collages. You get the idea, however. They are very vibrant and exciting.

Thanks, Mariana, for sending more Mail to us.

I like Terry's technique! The tricycles are stamped and the balloons drawn on, but I can't figure out the background, which I like very much. Maybe Terry will tell us her technique!

Thanks, Terry, for this sweet Mail Art. Encouraging future bicycle racers?

 B Kapp has sent us more of her wonderful Mail Art.

I enjoy the way she melds the images and the text and adds her playful dots.

Thanks, B Kapp, for continuing to support this exhibit.

Margaret made sure that her Mail Art arrived in time, she hand delivered it! Does that count as Mail Art, you bet it does!

Thanks, Margaret!

Two altered photos from Tomoe, who is active in the mail art network. A lot of excitement in her submissions, which is what will be going on here in Richmond, soon.

Thanks for sending your Mail Art, Tomoe.

This entry looks like something from a medieval tapestry, update with bicycles. A pencil drawing with a motto.  I find it very amusing, which I hope is what Michael Paul was going for. Is it Latin? I'm not sure, maybe the artist will let us know.

Thanks for this entry, Michael.

Dan is an active Mail Artist who'll be able to see the races in person. His entires really capture the excitement and energy that our little city will be encompassed by, for sure.
Thanks, Dan, for participating.

 Mail Artist, Gina Ulgen, sent two cards in one clear envelope. I didn't realize that until I slide what I thought was one card out of the envelope. What a lovely surprise.

On the reverse of this card, with a map of Virginia, USA, and an extraordinary cyclist, is a note about her getting a new bicycle and her adventure with it.

It's Duck egg blue with a wicker basket. Lovely sounding.
The reverse of this card, a fabulously altered celestial scene, has the addresses, to and from.

The postage stamp was adhered to the outside of the clear envelope. Clever move.

You can see, even in this scan, how precisely she cut the image of the cyclists.

Thanks, Gina, for these terrific entries.

 This appears to be a parking permit for a bicycle. Interesting. I'm curious about where one would be charged and if the amount is indeed $4 usd for an hour. Seems a bit much, don't you think.

I like the text: Really?

Bicycles in the neighborhood. I've been noticing more and more of them in my neighborhood. For a long time there was one chained to a sign at the end of our block, for months, then one day, it was gone. Who did it belong to? Why was it there so long? Questions to remain unanswered.

Thanks B Kapp for submitting more terrific cards, and with your signature dots.

 Vizma's envelope is collaged and stamped with the theme of this MA call.

Very exciting to receive, but then - inside the envelope was a small Zine!


Vizma took the quote and played with fish postage stamps and drawings.

Isn't it delightful?

Vizma is a Mail Artist and a member of IUOMA.

Jill was the art teacher at the camp this summer and initiated the project with her art campers.
What a nice addition to this exhibit.
Thanks for having the kids participate, Jill, and thanks for sending your Mail Art, too.

Which bicycle would you ride? B Kapp has sent us a variety of styles to chose from. Any of them would do, but I can't image riding the vintage bicycle.
Thanks for your enthusiastic support, sending in many pieces of Mail Art, B Kapp.

Jill is the person who organized the Mail Art activity at Camp Lutherlyn. I'm happy that she chose my Bicycle themed Call to respond to. The art campers will hopefully carry on beyond this summer, to make more Mail Art. Good Job, Jill, giving them this experience.

 Two more cards from my Chicago friend and Mail Artist exemplaire.

Bici offers a narrative - I was creating a story for it the moment it arrived.
I like them, too! Now isn't this fun. A second bicycle with a basket of flowers has arrived. I love it!! Seriously, I'd like to ride a bike with a basket of flowers on it. If only we had dedicated bicycle lanes here.