Heebee Post #1086 - Ex Postal Facto - (XPF) - Part #2 - Elk's Lodge, Kensington Hotel - San Francisco, California - USA

I have always wanted this incredible catalog and I finally got one at the XPF  Expo on Day #2 of the fabulous event. You know, I think XPF might well be better described as a "Happening" - Like the Woodstock of the Mail Art /Philatelic realm? That might be a stretch but, if you were there, you know what I mean. Anyway, this killer rubber stamp catalog is finally mine, thanks to the magnanimous "Sticker Dude" himself, Joel Cohen.

I thought that the "Beckoning" first few words were so anthem like - Come on, carry the torch with us! 

 Joel has a penchant for the astounding and has long made his livelihood from his imaginative musings.




Here he is seen resplendently attired in Grateful Dead  splendor, where his long, strange trip began. Joel is a gas and I love his stuff.

Designed by Joel, art by Thomas Kerr, The Sticker Dude's longtime partner. These are actually postcards that are also stickers. Sweet!

I love this  "Dada Vinci" sticker - What a far out look for the enormous Dada-rific boast! As time goes on, I'll be presenting more and more info regarding the artists and the XPF Expo itself. This time , I just wanted to spotlight Joel, who is also a very avid mail artist as well. See ya in the mail Sticker Dude. Ragged Edge Press.

Heebee Post #1085 - Rebecca Kohn (The Book Charmer) - Mountain View, California - USA

 I had the pleasure of making Rebecca's acquaintance in San Francisco at the XPF Expo and she was kind enough to send this bustling profile of California postcard as a happy greeting and a thanks for the XPF "Pacifica, Goddess of the Barbary Coast", commemorative magnet I gave to her at the wildly popular show last week.

"The Book Charmer" does suit Rebecca quite well as she is an Author and Librarian of Art and Design at San Jose University, among plenty of other brilliant things. I do find it heart warming to know those magnets will be on some very creative folk's refrigerators. Rebecca's intriguing books can be found here: The Guilded Chamber / Seven Days to the Sea.  . And her charged up and enthusiastic blog: The Book Charmer. Thank you very much Rebecca and I am looking forward to reading those two books (they both look and feel delicious!). I'm sending a card off to you later this morning - see ya in the mail!

Heebee Post #1084 - Ex Postal Facto - Exhibition Opening - San Francisco Center For The Book Feb.14 (Part #1)

Folks, there is hardly anything in our lives that can take our mind off all our worries - The three day Ex Postal Facto (XPF) event in San Francisco last week was one of those mental liberators. And glorious it was to behold old and new artist friends reveling in the wild abandon of Philatelics, Artist Books, and Mail Art - as well as stickers, buttons, handshakes, hugs and smiles! As you can tell from above, Anna Banana is certainly having fun.
Here is a snap I took during the opening evening Friday night at the S.F. Center For the Book and I really must say, this was no tranquil stoic affair! The robust din from the elated crowd was quite infectious and everyone seemed to be having a grand time of it all. The exhibition was wonderfully displayed and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Hundreds of pieces Postal Art really had a marvelous splendor and the Center for the book was packed to capacity with the curious and the cavalier, ready and willing to have a great deal of fun

The best part of the wonderful affair was actually meeting Mail Art friends that you have become fond of through postal exchanging. Among many, this beautiful, mysteriously eternal looking large stamp seen below was created by the very likable and highly creative Bethany Lee of PoeticPaperPost. All the way from Florida!

Here's a peek at a postcard I made for the incredible show. I had made about 125 magnets of  the Barbary Coast goddess, "Pacifica", commemorating the XPF having been in San Francisco. I hope they will remain on everybody's Fridges and file cabinets long after the show's too quick in coming, ending.  If anyone would like one of the colorful 2" x 3" magnetic commemoratives, I do have a few here in the studio. Just ask!

Among the distinctive notables in the excited crowd was Dame Mailarta adorned in her regal fashioned Mail delivery outfit. When it comes down to finery, none are as capable of "Putting on the Dog" like her. Always a delight to catch up with the talented artist. (From Victoria, BC, Canada)

I had been wanting to meet Stan Askew (from Pomona, California) for a long while - we've exchanged so much art for years, it felt as if meeting an old, dear friend. The pleasure was mine Stan! He is seen here with his lucky arm around the spectacular XPF show's "Hostess with the Mostess", Jennie Hinchcliff. What a gal! Thanks for everything Jennie and also your loyal team for 3 days of uninhibited fun for everybody.  In the following days, I shall be adding to this XPF reporting - there is much to tell. See ya in the mail everybody! EX Postal Facto Official Site.

Heebee Post #1083 - Test Tower - Ex Postal Facto event in San Francisco (XPO)

Well folks, I'm off to San Francisco for two weeks! The Ex Postal Facto (XPF) Expo will be from the 14-16 of Feb and should be a real gas! I hope to meet and carry on with a lot of you that will be there. See ya in a couple of fun weeks. Remember: More fun - Less worry!

Heebee Post #1082 - Herman Kamphius - Amsterdam - The Netherlands

 "Postal Voyager" extraordinaire, Herman Kamphuis sends in this stunning, double winter postcard ensemble that is fabulously manufactured by the celebrated mail artist. The large card (9" x 6.5") is spellbinding when seen firsthand. The parallel winter wonderlands, atop a swirling psychedelic backfield, compels you into Herman's unique domain. Great job (as usual).

This solemn march across a troubled terrain gives this viewer an odd sense of doom. The poignant postcard is first rate construction and not too many artists can claim such well made product technique. Like I have mentioned - seen in person, the card is a brilliant "Take me away" gas! Thank you Herman, I'll be responding accordingly when I return from San Francisco (XPO). See you then old boy!

Heebee Post# 1081 - Eric Bruth - Montrouge - France

 It is interestingly ironic that I should be posting this "Year of the Horse" postcard, when just down the road from here, the mighty Seattle Seahawks  football team is having a glorious parade to celebrate their victory over the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl last Sunday. Folks started amassing in downtown Seattle at 4:00AM at 19 degrees outside. A crowd of monstrous proportions will be there by 11:00AM  when the parade commences. My son, Ben, will be in attendance and I am sure he will be voiceless (the "12th Man" just may be the loudest crowd in the world!), at the conclusion of the festive occasion. It is chilly out but, at  least the sky is a clear fierce blue for a fine day anyway! Go Seahawks!

A good 2014 to you too Eric! Thank you for the card. I must admit that the header of Heebee Jeebeeland is my entry to Eric's "We Are Not Alone" mail call last year. I came to like the idea so much, I decided toalso use it myself. Thanks again Eric and see you soon in the mail.

Heebee Post #1080 - Otto D Sherman - New York, New York - USA

 Otto titillates an old World War II aircraft model maker's mind (mine) with these peculiar soaring, late 1940's appearing jet planes.  Remarkably like a 1945 Japanese Nakajima Kikka jet but, there is no provision for fuel carrying - unless the fuselage itself is the fuel tank. A fascinating head-scratcher from perhaps the most prolific of all stamp makers. Beautiful card Mr. Sherman.

 Otto often takes delight in using political figures in his Artistamp creations. Featured on the reverse side of this brilliant postcard are probably the most popular leaders of the American Democrat party. Also, that strange Spanish postage is a beauty
and this one of Mrs.Clinton is a total gas! Apparently depicted as a laughing Cosmonaut on an Afghani 1963 postage stamp. A beautiful stamp even if I don't quite get the irony Otto is reaching for here. Still, everytime I glance at this little mirthful masterpiece, I feel the smile on my face. Thank you Otto and see you in the mail soon. OTTO ART.

Heebee Post #1079 - Joey Patrickt - Oakland, California - USA

 Is this a pre-fashion screening by Joey to reveal his Ex Postal Facto attire in San Francisco? Stunning, old man! I do hope to meet you at the entertaining Feb.3-day affair. It will be a gas!

Joey lives in Oakland (where I was born by the way), just across the Bay Bridge from SF.- He's got to be happy about that proximity. See ya there my friend, be nice to finally see you on person! See ya in the mail and XPO!

Heebee Post #1078 - Gunter Schwind (Art Tower) - Aschaffenburg - Germany

 This handsome close up of Gunter's "Head" grooming technique. These "Heads" are stacked together into a monstrous wall (1,300 or something like that) that can be a bit imposing. His showings are quite a wondrous site to behold. Great card my favorite cousin.

Gunter hopes to complete his Head Project this year - only 700 more to go! An ambitious target to shoot for.  Also, I should have to reluctantly admit, that as I spoke on the phone to Art Tower a month or so ago, I held his previous postcard, a really nice one of his, in my hand  telling him that I would post it next. Well, things don't quite always go as planned, here in Heebee Jeebeland and I, ah, err, kind of let it get sucked back into my considerable pile of unposted mail art. Like quicksand, it has become, for the while, lost. So, sorry dear cuz, I do remember it fondly though! Thanks and see ya in the mail! Art Tower Mail Art 

Heebee Post #1077 - Parisi - St. Louis, Missouri - USA

 Parisi's debut in the 4th Dimension is an interesting collection of partial oddities. Is the genderless appearing person on the left having a major electric static hair day? It's pallor, not the healthiest. And that peculiar tunic is not the newest fashion. Wait a minute - is this supposed to be me? Oh, that stamped  "P" may indicate that it is Parisi itself. Has this person been washing dishes with his hair? The right side of the cartoonish card looks as if we are flying over Myanmar - which reminds me of "Mission of Burma" a 1979 Boston post-punk band that I loved. This song, from that band, seems to go nicely with Parisi's frenetic style. "Red".

Thanks very much for the postcard P. -- and the memory of the glorious past. Be seeing you in the mail soon my new friend.

Heebee Post #1076 - Frips - Ghent - Belgium (Part 1)

 While part #2 of Frip's art correspondence is of a very recent mailing (see Post #1056), Part #1, seen above, has been languishing in the 4th Dimension for, according to the date written on her note, 8 months or so. It appears as if a grand tribal carved tree trunk - frightening and beautiful, it seems to be of some kind of savage forest craftsman origin. It is fantastic and other worldly - a superbly decorated envelope that really takes the viewer away - if only for a relished moment!

 Frips has been a keen feline observer for a very long while - often depicting them in luxurious, oblivious to the world, sleeping positions. These are actually peel off stickers, handmade. Frips cannot escape from the "Long arm of the paw"

 I love this interesting snap of Frip's garden. Looks a little tricky, I wish I could inspect it firsthand just to see what's going on in there. I enjoy having a green thumb myself and love the exchange of ideas as conversation.

The face on the reverse side of the "mysterious journey" looking envelope is a Dada, almost angelic portrait - another, typically cool, feature. I've wondered if these little drawings aren't tiny self portraits - I like to try to read your various dispositions. This completes part #1 of a double bubble posting - continued below. Thanks for this one - loved it! Frips Mail Art.

Heebee Post #1075 - Frips - Ghent - Belgium (Part 2)

 What a great image depicting the "Other side of this life" holidays. An interesting blend of vision for the viewer - what some see as stark and a little sad, others might envision a very festive environment ready for some play action fun. Pretty sweet 4th Dimension decoration (ambiguous emotion often occur in the  "Bonus Dimension"! Beautiful snap Frips old girl.

This "Mercigram" from the kind and clever Frips, captures a heartfelt disposition with it's hand sewn powder blue envelope containing a lovely pink card with shiny metallic redish letters and adorable pony stamping (hand carved by her no doubt).  The inside of the card furnished a very enjoyable note from the artist. Thanks for that, my old friend.

 This delicate set of the pony stamps are carefully perforated in Frips liberated style. How does she accomplish that anyway? My collection of  "Frips Post" grows.

 One of her favorite themes is to "Reuse" and is captured here nicely. Those cheeks are a metallic substance and enhances the little stamping very well. I have to hand it to Frips for being cognizant and active in trying to enhance society with her art.  I feel you sister and am going to begin recycling some amazing things I've collected over the years. The unsuspecting shall have some fun surprises comming up,

A carefully enwrapped package from a long time friend is always a treat. Our relationship has gained over the years through our exchanges and sometimes you feel a closeness to someone through colorful  correspondence - especially after years of it - and this is one of them. Thank you, my dear Frips, for all the the great art and see you soon in the post. FRIPS Mail Art.

Heebee Post #1074 - Norbert Koczorski - Diepholz - Germany

 Looks like Fluxus Girl is having the tables turned on her as Norbert's Mail Art hit man applies a heavy dollop of glue onto the lovely girl's hat. Fluxus Girl, the Tart of Mail Art, will not take kindly to this vicious attack and I am a little afraid she will somehow have her revenge in the near future. Beware Norbert, you may have gone too far.......




I'm not too sure who the "Big Chief" is but, I don't think it is Norbert. Great stamp - I love the American Indian headdress - all eagle feathers, if it is authentic.

And Happy New Year to you as well my friend - even if Fluxus Girl is not too happy with you just now. Don't worry, she'll get over it - or not!  Thank you very much for the card Norbert and see you soon in the post!

Heebee Post #1073 - CrackerJack Kid (Chuck Welch) - Hancock, New Hampshire - USA

 Is the Kid inferring, with his note below, that this grim, dark, digital usurper image is that of the National Security Agency (NSA)? I just knew it looked something like this. "Pay no attention to the people behind the curtain. I am the great and powerful  NSA"! Dear God, we really don't worry about this sort of thing? Really?  I should have realized that the NSA is really the Sith - A sect of Force sensitives that utilize the Dark Side of the Force!

A happy New Year to you too Chuck. Love the peculiarities of the CrackerJack (or should I say FireCrackerJack Kid?) postage and that "Fluxus Free Zone" rubber stamping on the red batch. I had the impression that the CrackerJack Kid will be attending the Ex Postal Facto event in San Francisco in Feb. I dearly hope so, this is one artist I am dying to meet. Thanks for the always interesting correspondence - see ya in the mail.

Heebee Post #1072 - Theo Nelson - Calgary, Alberta - Canada

 Good timing for this rather stark wintery "white out" scene sent in by a mail artist of the seasons,  Theo Nelson. The east coast of the USA is acknowledging record cold weather and will be setting record low temps. -47 degrees in Minneapolis? Ice Breakers vessels working overtime in the Great Lakes? - and now, the snowstorm will arrive in Boston, Philedelphia, NYC, etc. tomorrow. Deadly cold folks, stay inside!

Little did Theo realize he would be playing a mail art "Prophet of Doom" role with his bleak and a bit frightening, snow enveloping everything card!  Run for your shivering lives!  Theo has a lot of fun with his thoughtful cartoonish landscapes - check for yourself: Whimsy and Colour. Thank you very much Theo, I'll be warming up your post box with a bit of colorful correspondence in the near future!