Heebee Post #892 - Otto D Sherman - New York, New York - USA

 Ladies and Gentlemen, His Highness the Mahew-something or other circa 1897.  Seen here in his mighty pomp and full regalia, he looks as if an Emperor of some vast bygone kingdom.  Who does this better than Otto?

 I seem to be collecting a goodly amount of Artistamp sheets these days and I am mighty glad about that. I will showcase every one of them. Doesn't His Highness seem even more official in neat little rows. I am crazy about Artistamps now and have even begun to make them myself.

 "Poste Vatican".  Apparently the Vatican is celebrating the British Queen's Diamond Jubilee in the form of a Royal/Religious commemorative.  That Latin "mumbo jumbo" has never been more meaningful.

They are almost like "Christmas Seals" or "Queenmas Seals" to be pasted on cards and presents. Another slightly beguiling postage recipe. 

I see our gobbling friend is crying out for help. Good luck! Those beautiful artistamps riding in on this envelope are a joy to behold. The super-deluxe "Carnival of Politics" faux postage is incredible high quality with Otto collaborating with Vittore Baroni for a philatelic extravaganza!  Thanks very much Otto and I'll be sending something back your way very soon. 

Heebee Post #891 - Fleur Helsingor - Oakland, California - USA

 Everytime Fleur sends in something, I am reminded of my old stomping grounds. I was born in this artist's town and I miss the Bay Area on holiday occasions. Isn't it interesting how things just go on and on - soon everything you know is changed and different - but, everything just keeps on going - on and on. Incredible. Anyway, happy holiday everybody! May you be with your families - if you are still blessed to have one.

This classy little card, shot by Fleur in her neighborhood and neatly arranged within a clear envelope, is Fleur's signature style of perfection and love for her life's surroundings - a quality that I admire a lot.  Too many of us seem to dwell on what is wrong with our cities and towns. Fleur invariably focuses what is beautiful around our daily lives. There is a great degree of goodness in her work. You are a champion Fleur, thanks for lighting the way old girl. Be seeing you in the mail and Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Heebee Post #890 - Cascadia Artpost (Jack Lattermann) - Seattle, Washington - USA-

 "Mine eyes have seen the glory!" - Cascadia Artpost sends in this Super Nova postcard (if you have sunglasses nearby - wear 'em if you got 'em).  I finally got to meet Jack last weekend at AARPEX and again the very next day at the MOA (Museum of Artistamps) grand opening, both in Seattle. That kind of thing does not happen everyday and won't be forgotten soon!

The reverse side of Jack's card features several deluxe Cascadia Artpost artistamps of which, I like the AARPEX  (top left) showcasing an astonished looking Mr. Lattermann best. Well, I am sure glad to have met Jack, I have been admiring his work for years. He's a tall fellow with a great vibe (see post #885 for a pic with Jennie Hinchcliff at AARPEX!). Interestingly, I sent something to you yesterday and received this today.  I like when it works like that. Thanks very much Jack. Cascadia Artpost.

Heebee Post #889 - Uli Grohmann - Munster - Germany

 The Mink stares at itself adoringly as do Minks everywhere. Uli explains below that this "pun" only works in German. Well, I must admit, I am a little foggy as to what this Cryptogram is getting at. It's pretty cool though.

Elegantly printed on special paper cards (nice to the touch), Uli makes certain that his work is perfectly created - clean and no-nonsense, except for the narcissistic Mink that is.  Thank you very much Uli - love it! See ya in the mail.

Heebee Post #888 - Rachel Freeman - Lawrence, Kansas - USA

 Rachel drops in to invite everybody to participate in her first Mail Call, "The Color of Mandalas". The deadline is nearly a year away (enough time to contribute several works). Okay Rachel, I'm up for it!

I haven't heard from Rachel for a while and am glad she is still into Mail Art. A lot of times, artists can burn out on the genre and just disappear into the void of lost Mail Artists - where folks live their lives not even giving a thought towards it. I'm glad that grim scenario didn't happen to this happy artist.  Nice to see you again and thank you very much - I'll be responding accordingly! Rachels Mail Art Site.

Heebee Post #887 - Norbert Koczorski - Diepholz - Germany

 Stickman puts on an erotic "Fluxus Affair" show at the Panorama Bar for a rapt audience. And I see  the Fluxus Girl showed up to visit Stickman, an old flame. I like your cocktail card Norbert.

And now look,  Fluxus Girl is dancing with Stickman on the "Stickman Post"! Sorry folks, it is as if she had a mind of her own!  Nice to see you again Norbert, even if the 'Children' are acting up! See you in the mail my friend.

Heebee Post #886 - Ana Martin Austin - Brazilia - Brazil

 This handsome little (5" x 6") package was actually a luxurious Mail Art boudoir fold out. Who could tell from the outside?

 I felt as if I was intruding as I opened the secret boudoir. This is decorated in a grand fashion: The plush red of the mystery bedroom is actually a thick red felt like material with a rather sensual appealing lace as a veil to complete the sultry love nest. Nice job Ana. I like the super Artistamps also seen on the flaps.

 This rich panel was on the other side.  A "Vision beyond the human condition" seems to be splendidly chalked.

 One of the four artistamps of the opened box den of desire.  All four are very well done.

 I just had to pull the veil back and see who was being entertained in the dreamy red room!

I love the way Ana captivates her audience in a tiny universe created within a small unsuspecting box.  Creative and sensual goes a long way here in the 4th Dimension. Thanks very much Ana - I have just sent you something in the mail too.

Heebee Post #885 - Bruno Chiarlone - Cairo Montenotte - Italy

 Art Guru Bruno Chiarlone sends in this beautiful mini-masterpiece for our brains to adapt to. It's fun adapting - the perusal of our eyes journeying around this piece feels good. That large artistamp near the bottom is right in the same groove too. Great job Bruno - Everything Bruno touches turns unto art!

Bruno is a prominent Artist on the International Mail Art scene and I am happy to have this engaging postcard from him.  And get a load of those unbridled Italian postage stamps. Thank you very much Bruno. I'll be seeing you in the mail.

Heebee Post #884 - DC Spaulding - Lomita, California - USA

 DC sends in a superbly crafted sheet of souvenir Artistamps commemorating the magnificent and uncommonly high standarded "AARPEX" event that just passed. His sheet declares "I couldn't make it to AARPEX.   But, my stamps did!".  Good show!  I love the AARPEX  on the right side.with the Jackalope rubber stamping. These "Nosey stamps"  are perforated perfectly. Sometimes, its all about the perforation.

DC made his envelope look somehow strangely official - a look that I enjoy and am always amused by. Thanks for the signed sheet. I created a commemorative postcard for the event and anybody can have one - just let me know.  Thanks DC, I always love your work and this one is imaginative and fanciful. Thank you and I shall see you in the mail old boy.

Heebee Post #883 - MOA - Museum of Artistamps - Grand Opening Celebration - Seattle Washington - USA

   ------- Grand Opening - Museum of Artistamps -------
This momentous occasion occurred the day after the incredible AARPEX event and so all the same artists were in attendance and were getting their minds blown by the glorious construction, archival and curator accomplishments that Dogfish and co curator Jas Felter have achieved.  The grand opening of the museum was jaw droppingly stunning!

 The magnanimous Dogfish of Tui Tui in all his philatelic splendor - he is a magnificent and tireless host in his distinguished Ambassador finery.  He is all good vibes and smiling!

 I got to talk with Jas Felter (seem above), the other half of the MOA curator team, for a while and he was suave and very friendly. Clothed in a handsome vibrantly colorored "Happy coat",  he answered my 'rookie' questions regarding stampmaking. Thanks again Jas!

 Master Artistamp wizard C T Chew having a blast blabbing with his postage creating peers. I enjoyed meeting the big fellow.  Carl was the mastermind behind AARPEX that was just yesterday. I'm having a great weekend! Thanks Carl!

 Doo Da Post is the dynamic Artistamp legend E F Higgins who flew in from New York to be there.

 The crowd enjoyed a wonderful feast of grilled veggies, killer cheeses, dried fruit, chewy sandwiches and cake - awesome!

 There must be thousands of Artistamp sheets in the museum - each one unique and fascinating. .

 The friendly Ed Varney was obviously having fun. I had the pleasure of talking with Ed for a while and instantly found him to be someone you just want to hang around with. Great to meet you Ed!

 This amazing installation  was created by the notorious Crackerjack Kid.  About 5 feet long and astonishing in it's 'Other worldliness'.  Nice one Kid - wish you were here!

 The elegantly displayed binders contained hundreds of Artistamp sheets. The different rooms were all brilliantly done in a uniformed theme.

 The one and only Mailarta standing in front of some of the most remarkable cabinet making I have ever seen. Each one of those slats pull out and have glass on both sides with stamp sheets displayed on both sides. Two long rows of these on either side in the all wooden hall. This is truly awesome in the true sense of the word! You can visit the museum here: MOA - Galleries.  Love the Official Mailarta Postal attire!

There was some bad news. BuZ Blurr couldn't make his appearance because something dreadful happened to him just a couple of days before his departure. If I am not mistaken, I believe it was lightning  hitting his house that caused a big fire and his top floor collapsed from the flames destroying the house. I am very sorry to hear that.  I hope you are okay BuZ .

Heebee Post #882 - AARPEX 2012 -- Artistamp Artists Reunion & Philatelic EXposition (Part #1) - Seattle, Washington - USA

 Well folks, I drove up to Seattle yesterday to witness this incredible event - and I was not disappointed! AARPEX 2012 =  Artistamp Artists Reunion and Philatelic Exposistion.

Upon entering the buzzing room, I was greeted by none other than Dogfish (Robert Rudine), in terrific "Tui Tui" regalia. He was very friendly and helpful, pointing out various artists stations around the room.

 Another wondrous poster for the merry event. There were many and all of them are fantastic.

 The adorable Jennie Hinchcliff  posed for a picture with Jack Lattermann jumping in at the last moment before the snap! It was a happy moment that we all enjoyed.   I have a lot in common with all these artists and the large room sure felt comfortable to wonder around in, meeting those that I only knew through artful correspondence. Jack runs the entertaining universe of Cascadia Artpost.  Jennie is one of the two authors of the fabulous mail art book that every mail artist should own - particularly newbies. It is called Good Mail Day.  Find out more about her: Red Letter Day.

 This is a beautiful signed artistamp sheet by the legendary C.T. Chew  that I traded one of my postcards to him for. What a great, gregarious fellow to meet.  I seem to have hit it off with all the artists I met.

I spoke to Mailarta for a long while - A great conversationalist - Interesting and entertaining. I just loved meeting these artists that I have been exchanging art with for years. Mailarta rocks!  Mailarta - Queen of Poste. And Dames Portrait Gallery. See ya in the mail soon my friend. That was a gas finally meeting you.

Heebee Post #881 - XX Jones - Vienna - Austria

"Fearful Symmetry" -  XX Jones doubles down on her howling "Placerias", a mammal like reptile from the Triassic period. This card, seen in person, shows that the Placerias is surrounded by a shiny metallic silver (wouldn't scan properly) and looks pretty "Neo Triassic"! She writes "A homage to nature, art and science - represented by Blake's fearful symmetry and Darwin's tree of life" - (reverse side).  And check out that wonderful "Time to wake up" artistamp. Perfect.

 

Miss Jones also included  included these three A4 sized Edgar Rice Burroughs's "Tarzan" panels. These gorgeous illustrations are super examples of artist Burne Hogarth's work. He drew the Tarzan Sunday page in newspapers for 12 years (1937- 1945 and 1947 - 1950) but, it has been reprinted many times.  With Tarzan, Hogarth brought together Classicism, Expressionism and Narrative into a new form of dynamic sequential art.  His teaching to art students often included odd thoughtful study: "Paint me this sound: A spider walking on it's web - what is the music of that sound?".

XX  Jones also included a long note that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I don't publish notes - they are regarded  as personal - but, I can tell you it was one of the nicest notes I have received. She asked me a few questions which I shall answer in subsequent mail back to her in Austria.  Thank you very much Miss Jones - you made my day! See you in the mail my new friend. See her thoughtful  mail art site: Word and Image.   And her XX Jones  IUOMA blog.

Heebee Post #880 - J M Rastorfer (Mail Art Events Edition DAO Radio) - Lausanne - Switzerland

 Jean-Marc makes a spectacular debut in Heebee Jeebeeland with his Dam Batai special edition postage. He sent in a myriad of the stunning Artistamps from this particular (Myanmar/Burma) collection. Incredible just from the volume alone!  I am marveling!

 The prodigious Artistamp creator and his classy whimsy take the viewer to many different worlds.

 So many beautiful Artistamps , a dizzying amount really- does Jean-Marc ever rest?

 The two seen above are special "Spoliation" issues. Fabulous work.

 It seems no subject is safe from being immortalized into Artistamps.

 You have to admire the tireless Artist - every single stamp is done nicely.

Both sides of the Swiss Artists' little envelope that carried the fine collection. Great work Jean-Marc, thank you very much and I shall be seeing you, subsequently, in the mail!