Heebee Post #876 - Sky City (Lord Fugue) - Hickory, North Carolina - USA

 I see the Halloween night life is alive and well in the newest effort from the effectively imposing Sky City.  A playful, malevolent majesty seems to be injected into each of the smiling Dandies seen above. Perfect for a delightful Halloween posting! Great colors Count Fugue!

Sky City's vibrant postcards are invariably wonderful works of incredible mixed media. Lord Fugue is a great artist to exchange creative mail with. His enthusiastic approach to Mail Art is somehow tangible and infectious. Thank you very much dear Fugue and Happy Halloween to you too! And for you folks that are reading this late Halloween night - you might want to consider listening, with your eyes closed,  to my favorite spooky tunes:  "Biomutanten" and  "The Witches Multiplication Table"..

Heebee Post #875 - Otto D Sherman (Part #2) - New York, New York - USA

 This dazzling , apparition-like, decorated Sultan is powerful, dreamy and surreal. The vivid color scheme makes this postcard a psychedelic museum relic. Lovely, entrancing appeal - wonderful work!

The large Artistamp rode in on this thick,  trademark looking envelope from Otto. Doesn't it seem as if it came from far, far away?  Otto can sure capture an exotic look.

Beautiful detail of adorning medals.  Kind of like a cross between a military Toulouse Lautrec style and Yellow Submarine. Fantastic!

Also included in the packet was this large delicately printed tissue extravaganza! It is incredibly fragile and and, I must say, much nicer to behold firsthand. Thank you Otto - Be seeing you in the mail.  Otto D Sherman Medals and Stamps.

Heebee Post #874 - Otto D Sherman (Part #1) - New York, New York - USA

 Otto's cast of nefarious looking fellows should make for a tough 'spy ring'  for the Squid Patrol to 'sweep up'.  Otto's artistamps appear as if in a 'line up' to be 'found out' and identified. Fantastic work - like a 4th Dimensional "Casa Blanca" -  very entertaining!

 Some of these characters are a bit more sinister than the others. This fellow (Joseph Goebbels?) looks more suspicious the more I peer at him.  Super artistamp!

 Otto is quite versatile with different printing techniques.  The above panel is actually quite large (18" x 10") and very delicately printed on a fine tissue paper. It is rather amazing seen in person - tender and beautiful! These are some large rubber stampings.

Seen above are both sides of Otto's envelope. I am a big fan of his work and am glad to receive this great stuff. Although the next posting shall prove to be the real show stopper!  Thank you very much Otto - If you haven't been to Otto's Art site, it is recommended that you do: Otto Art - Badges and Stamps.
-----  And I think I should be terribly remiss if I did not mention the dreadful circumstances unfolding in Otto's wonderful city.  The "Super Storm" has sea water into the subway system, 3 1/2 million without power (for days to come too) and Manhattan and much of New York and the east coast are just getting battered and flooded by the wicked "Sandy", the 'Super Storm'.  Our west coast hearts and minds are with you my friend!

Heebee Post #873 - Crackerjack Kid - Hancock, New Hampshire - USA

 The Crackerjack Kid returns in full 4th Dimension espionage regalia with his 'Troubled Extra-Dimensional Agents in Action' postcard. What a gorgeous Lichtenstein-ish collage of secret agent fun! The Kid can really bring the Mail Art  magic and he has woven a pretty good spell here. I am enjoying the life or death desperation felt without revealing too much situation detail. The ambiguity each viewer adds to the piece only furthers the mysterious tension. Add the Kid's playful gusto into the mix and voila! Sound the alarm!

I don't think a disguise will ever conceal the poor agent that owns these eyes.  Perhaps that right eye is actually a single shot, tiny pistol? I love the Kid's version of "Mission to Heebee Jeebeeland".  Thank you very much Kid and see you soon in the mail!

Heebee Post #872 - William L. Philyaw - Shawnee, Kansas - USA

 William's postcard is superb in it's 'Hitchcockian' appeal. Feel the palpable tension as the binocular man  desperately searches the skies and nervously awaits the arrival of something unpleasant.  Enemy agents? Great card William (or Alfred).

 The reverse side of the 'North by North Philyaw' postcard is "Plate 96". The large Russian postage stamp is a beauty and - hold on!  Now how did that little Mail Art tart slip out of my files and onto William's card? That blasted Fluxus Girl is actually flirting with the venerable "Professor Philyaw".  Dose she know no couth at all?  Sorry about that folks!

I think William, like myself, kind of lives Halloween in the head all year long.  It is an interesting frame of mind to be in. His subtle inference of doom in the featured postcard is impressive and disciplined in it's reluctance to reveal more and ruin the spell. William has a wonderful knack of knowing how to get under his viewer's skin and is quite popular because of that regard. Thank you very much my friend. I love the card - and as for little miss Fluxus Girl, it is just the essence of Fluxus being out of control - as it often is in real life!  Addressee - Mail Art.

Heebee Post #871 - Arac - Huntsville, Alabama - USA

From the desk of Agent Cara - Huntsville, AL branch: Nothing short of a Military Tribunal for these two peanutty looking rascals.  Wow, do I love the fiercely scowling Tribunal of Three!?!  Can you imagine being interrogated in a small back room, a glaring spotlight in your eyes, somewhere in the 4th Dimension - you don't even know where, by these three champions of the strange?

Heh-heh, isn't this fellow charming close up? I'm not really sure why I like stuff like this so much - but, I do. Great intensity of character agent Arac! A certain prominent military 'grandeur of fear'  is captured, in all three of these distinctive 'staff' memebers. Super job!

Plenty of unanswered questions in Heebee Jeebeeland alright. This really is a fabulous espionage postcard and Arac, I mean Agent Arac,  is becoming one of my favorite mail artists - she is always focused on fun. I like that, very much.  Thank you Arac, your brand of entertainment is remarkable - See ya in the mail!

Heebee Post #870 - Lothar Trott (Lotro Poku) - Zurich - Switzerland

 Like hanging Mail Art laundry out to dry, Lotro displays his 'dirty sheets' adorned with 'Pop-Dada" bright red lips labeled art. There is something about this chaotic like composition that I like very much. It is quite unique to Lotro and identifiable a mile away. It is, however also a rambling mess and fell apart just after opening. Oh, that Lotro.....

 I have to say that Lothar sure makes some beautiful Fluxus Artistamps with that Pop-Dada approach he has.  Great stamps!

 This large fold out (nearly A2 in size!) is a compilation of mail art sent to Lothar and assembled on this big page - as he does every few weeks or so. Kind of like the Trott Report!

Well, I see Pokuland is doing quite nicely. I love these envelopes Lothar 'decorates'.They are always fun and frolicsome - thank you very much old boy. See you in the mail Lotro!

Heebee Post #869 - Viviana Cernjul - Buenos Aires - Argentina

 "I love Llamas?". Well, scantily clad, 50 foot women with attitude problems, but love their Llamas -  are an awful lot of fun!  The altered poster is festooned with some great faux postage

 I thought we just might get a better look at the postage made by Viviana. Quite nice.

I know Viviana is a hard working Mail Artist and I appreciate that very much. Looks like she is getting a bit 'edgier' lately - much to everyone's delight! Thank you so much Viviana. I am sending something to you right away (it's already made and sitting on my desk) - so, see you soon in the mail!  Mail Art around the World.

Heebee Post #868 - Joey Patrickt - Oakland, California - USA

 Joey's looming Greenness, emerging from the Alien Fun House, doesn't appear too suspicious but, you never know.  I'll bet the Spy Detector Unit will get a green eyeful of him!

 I really like the nicely fragmented back side as well.  Very dreamy.  Thanks very much Joey.  Just so ya know, I'm getting prepared to watch the Oakland Raiders play in a few minutes. Folks, I was born in Oakland and am a big Oakland Football fan.  Forever!

  RAIDER NATION

Artistsamp Artists Reunion & Philatelic Exposition - Seattle, Washington

Doesn't this look like a gas? I can't wait to drive up to Seattle for this in November. It will be fun to meet some of these fine artists that I know only through the mail.  It is not often that splendid eclectic events such as these come along and so, I shall be in attendance with my Philatelic Artist snapping camera and recording the colossal happening here - so stay tuned for further developments!

Heebee Post #867 - Sky City (Lord Fugue) - Hickory, North Carolina - USA

 The Antediluvian-Masonic vision of Sky City is especially majestic to behold as we approach Halloween. The commanding vision assures us that it is from "Humble Beginnings" even if it may seem sinister now.

The reverse side of the card is rich in interesting features with the terrific background the foremost of them. The Dead Horn Player Artistamp declares "Glorreich und Verboten!" ("Glorious and Forbidden!") - Interestingly dreadful!  The Artistamp adjacent to it is a Halloweenish looking creation and I have the feeling that the good Lord Fugue may be a big Halloween fan like those of us here in the 4th.  And also, I enjoyed his note very much - Perhaps Sky City, like Heebee Jeebeeland, both "Strive for regions yet unknown to us" and hope for the best as we hone our handiwork. Nice to have you back brother Fugue.  Thank you and see ya in the mail very soon!.

Heebee Post #866 - Martin Fernandez Rico - Santiago de Compostela - Spain

 Martin's "FAZ - Zine" is actually a nicely printed fold out, A4 in size, comprised of various collages and altered portrait images.  This troubled looking fellow above makes a great cover in his trans-dimensional appearance!

 More of the panels from the interesting publication. I love the cascading effect of the happy to be lost girl on the left. No other place to go. I think the Beatles can explain it best:
Out of college, money spent
See no future, pay no rent
All the money's gone, nowhere to go
Any jobber got the sack
Monday morning, turning back
Yellow lorry slow, nowhere to go
But oh, that magic feeling, nowhere to go
Oh, that magic feeling
Nowhere to go
-------------------------------------------------
Oh that magic feeling - Yeah, I know that magic feeling myself!

 These gentlemen are almost spectral in appearance. The fellow on the right seems to be boring through my skull!

 These panels seem a bit more whimsical and complete the entertaining publication.

Thank you Martin - your fold-out was like turning the channels on an altered TV set. I'll be seeing you in the mail!

Heebee Post #865 - "E" Ambassade D'Utopia - Guivry - France

 The elegance of refined Mail Artist "E" is very distinctive and attractive. The "Ambassade D'Utopia" is a master of good taste with a wild sophisticated roguishness, in the universe of Mail Art and I was quite delighted to discover this humorous dark beauty in the mail box.  E's trademark colors are always a spectacular red and black and usually involve a skull of that theme - see it blown up behind the foreground subject? His cavalier style includes that Ray Johnson Bunny Head Artistamp with the Ambassador's title upon it. Very tasteful!

The harmonious simplicity of the reverse side features an interesting Address stamping and a cool "UTOPIA - Local Post"  rubber stamping, which I like the notion of. Thank you very much Monsieur E - I love the card and shall be visiting the realm of "Utopia" very soon!  "E" Ambassade D'Utopia Mail Art site. 

Heebee Post #864 - Jan Theuninck - Belgium

 Looks like the Belgian Painter and Poet, Jan Theuninck,  is the first Mail Artist to set off the Spy Alarm here in Heebee Jeebeeland.  His "Cloud Sucker" is some kind of "Secret installation", where the clouds are employed as spying devices. Very clever and sneaky! Great card Jan!

This is Jan's debut in the 4th Dimension and he "rung the bell" pretty loudly! We love a good sense of unusual humor and this card fits right in there. Thanks for joining in Jan.  I wish you had included an address - perhaps you could email it to me - I would like to reciprocate. Thanks again.

Heebee Post #863 - Frips - Ghent - Belgium

 Some artists have an aura that becomes somehow intertwined within their Mail Art. Those that have exchanged postal creations with Frips over the years know of what I speak about.  Touch that postcard in brief study and feel the subtle vibe of postal essence she includes. The Belgian postage that hangs over the edges is one of Frips' endearing trademarks.  

And happy Autumn to you dear Frips.  I thank you very much flux girl - love your stuff! I have just sent something off to you. And thanks for the good Autumn vibes! See you soon in the post! She has one of the most popular Mail Art sites there is: FRIPS MAIL ART

Heebee Post #862 - Bolderaja Group - Riga - Latvia

 I've never received anything from Latvia before so, I am delighted to try to understand exactly what is going on here.  Evidently, the "Gift Card" from 'Freeport of Riga' is a sarcastic parody.  The Bolderaja Group is completely against filling up the sea near the Lighthouse with concrete and sand   I explain this because I had been confounded by it myself for a short while. Check out their website to know what I am talking about. Avantport .

 Okay,now we are talking turkey.  I wish I would have received this a little earlier - now I will have to hustle to make something for it on time. Are they intending to exhibit in the Lighthouse there? Rather vague on details but, I'm sending something anyway!

Mail Art from Latvia is peculiar in a very interesting way.  The Mail Art call is in protest to the "Fill the Sea" project put together by the Latvian Government. Thank you very much - I'll be seeing you guys in the mail very soon.

Heebee Post #861 - Stan Askew - Pasadena, California - USA

 Wow! Stan's use of photography and mixed media is always a ponderous brew of cerebral entertainment.  This current postcard certainly keeps up with that curiously powerful formula. Great Mail Art Stan!

 The opposite side of the card features an angry, glaring Robo-a-go-go and another with a set of "Boxcar" knuckles - served on a bed of dark 1 cent "Tiffany" postage.  The simultaneous graduation of degree of anger and value of U.S. dollars should be noted as well - it adds to it nicely. Like some form of  redeemable  'Butt-Kicking' stamps.

Also included in Stan's 'fun pack' was this incredible vintage (circa 1930s) linen souvenir folding postcard set of 18 images. As you can see here - this is a Fred Harvey publication. Let me just talk about Fred Harvey (1835 - 1901) for a moment. He was a grand entrepreneur of the American Southwest and is credited for having the first restaurant chain "The Harvey House Lunch Rooms".  He brought new, higher standards of civility and dining to the rough region known as the "Wild West". His name is also made famous by the 1946 motion picture "The Harvey Girls" about his legendary waitresses, starring Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland and Angela Lansbury. The Film won the Oscar for best Song "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe". Judy Garland is a goddess in this movie.

The Harvey Houses were constructed along the train routes and were immediate sensations. Here, enclosed in the packet is one of many  testy looking bridges the railroad had to build to traverse the harsh topography of Arizona.

The reverse side of the packet shows the colors to be still vibrant after all these years - Fred Harvey's (Detroit Publishing Co's) "Phostint" technique postcards are cherished by collectors all over the world.

The Askew 'Postal Mothership' that contained all the goodies. I see that x-ray skeletal hand has a wedding ring. It appears as if the hand is throwing out a few charms of the talisman variety as if to read a fortune! Thanks Stan, I am diggin' your stuff! I just sent something to you this morning - see ya in the mail my old friend. Find more of Stan's work here: Photo Askew.