I'm filled with wonder. I am one of the participants in Mary Lou Zeek's annual (and final) 100 Artists Show: The Art of Communication, running February 1 - March 3.
Mary Lou paired two artists with the assignment to write each other a letter (paper and envelopes provided). Then, using the letter received as inspiration, we had to create a piece of art in response (the finished pieces could be no larger than 12 x 12). Mary Lou wrote a longer and more detailed explanation of the process, so if you're interested in the nitty gritty, just click right here. You can also see photos of all of the art donated (the whole thing is a fundraiser and all of the artists donate their art) and read the artist's statements about the creation of their piece. So here's my journey in words and photos.
I received my letter from the artist I was paired with: Kim Robertson of Pennsylvania, back in October.
About the same time, I sat down to write my letter to Kim.
After reading her letter, a page full of rich imagery and juicy words, I decided I would create a mixed media piece. I set out to glue strips of worn linen and gauze and planned to build up layers using plaster and paint, but somewhere along the way, I totally switched gears. At the time I was working on my piece, I was at the beach with Stephanie and Tory and we were all working on various art projects. One of the other things I was working on was some guerilla art (here's a little blip about that). Well, a comment from Tory, a comment from Steph, and before long, the guerilla project was put on hold, but the cardboard tiles I thought would be guerilla art pieces became the focal point of my piece for the 100 Artists Show. Words were chosen and circled from Kim's letter and eventually the chosen words were stamped onto the little cardboard tiles . . . . Fragments was created.
The finished piece.
The individual tiles.
Post Script: I made a cardboard tile for Kim as a memento of our project and sent it to her with a note.
Post Post Script: Two years ago I bought a piece of art from Mary Lou's 100 Artists Show. I didn't think anything about it until I saw some of the art that Kim created. It got me to thinking, so I went to my studio and looked at the art I had purchased in 2010 - yep, Kim was the artist! We were already connected and we didn't even know it.
Post Post Post Script: Kim sent me a beautiful three-page handwritten letter this week with an original piece of her art! I feel so honored. And the best part is we're now officially pen pals - the real deal kind. Handwritten letters on real paper. Tag, I'm it.
