… and Vegetables and Winter postcards:
Vivian Aumond-Capone, Deck of Cards Spades
Visit Vivian’s gallery to see her new Spades and Vegetable postcards.
Lori Masley, Deck of Cards, Spades
… and Lori’s gallery to see her new Spades and Winter postcards.
You might even try our new Theme Gallery page where you can see all published postcards for each theme in this round.
Another fun theme interpreted by five members of the group. Click on an image for a larger view.
What a great challenge — to carve your own stamp! And here is what our traders came up with. Click on an image for a larger view.
What do you think you would carve?
Member Vivian Aumond-Capone has donated a 12-inch square quilt for the annual SAQA on-line auction. To learn all about the auction and how you can participate, click here.
Spirited Kite can be seen as part of Flying High: The Story of Kites through September 29 at Delray Beach Center for the Arts at Old School Square in Delray Beach, Florida. For details click here.
Vivian Aumond-Capone feature new art on the gallery pages. Check ’em out!
The letters S, T, U, V and W inspired the following postcards:
S is for Singer by Sarah Ann Smith
T is for Toile by Franki Kohler
U is for Up and Away by Kay Laboda
V is for Valentine (and violin!) by Sherry Boram
W is for a Walk in the Sand by Vivian Aumond-Capone
See what other letters of the alphabet inspired here, here, here, here and here.
I shared earlier trades in the alphabet series here. I’ll share what the letters G, H and I inspired next.
G is for Garden by Vivian Aumond-Capone
G is for Gray, several versions by Franki Kohler
H is for Hot Potato by Suzanna Bond
H is for Half Hour by Evie Harris
I is for Imagine by Jan Johnson
I is for Iris by Dian Stanley
J is for Jelly by Maureen Callahan
J is for Jack in the Pulpit by Lynn Chinnis
Next up: K, L and M.
According to Nobel-prize winner Patrick White,
Inspiration descends only in flashes, to clothe circumstances; it is not stored up in a barrel, like salt herrings, to be doled out.
Many members of Postmark’d Art seek those flashes to clothe a current need in their gardens. For example:
Karen Musgrave recently used alcohol inks on her mailbox topper. Karen said, “It provided double fun! Once in the making and a second time when the neighbors came to check it out.”
Vivian Aumond-Capone finds the sunflowers in her garden to be a source of inspiration. Here’s a photo she took of one
and a mounted piece of art
and a 12″ x 12″ art quilt.
Sara Kelly spent some time in Tacoma, Washington last winter and captured this image in a nearby garden.
And here is the art quit it inspired.
Franki Kohler says the ancient ginkgo is a constant source of fascination to her. The tree in her yard continues to fuel her art.
Both of these art quilts measure 12″ x 12″.
Lynn Chinnis loves to meander the many paths of her garden.
And here is her art quilt Garden Path. This quilt was donated for Laura Cater-Woods’ fundraiser following hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Where do you find inspiration?
SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) holds an online auction of donated 12″ x 12″ art quilts each year. Last year’s auction had 309 artworks donated and they raised $52,925 for the organization.
In 2012, 394 artists donated art quilts. Most will be sold through SAQA’s online auction. A special group of 106 quilts will be sold in the SAQA booth at International Quilt Festival – Houston (October 31- November 4) and three were donated by Postmark’d Art members: Franki Kohler, Suzanne Kistler and Sarah Ann Smith. In addition, Postmark’d Art members VIvian Helena Aumond-Capone’s and Sara Kelly’s quilts will be available during SAQA’s online auction. Bravo to all! The online auction will begin on Monday, September 10th at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time and conclude on Sunday, September 30 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
Seal carving, or stamp engraving, is traditionally listed as one of the Four Arts in China. A seal/stamp, also known as a chop, was for many centuries a symbol of power: emperors used it to give orders, officials used it on official documents, and civilians used it as a signature.
Late last year there was quite a buzz among the group about chops. As often happens, a flurry of activity ensued. The first activity that many members engaged in was a search for their own chop. Here are the chops that were ‘rediscovered’ and brought back into circulation:
Vivian Aumond-Capone purchased her chop in the 1980’s while taking a Chinese Brush Painting class with Ning Yeh in Huntington Beach, California. The chop has not been found yet, but here is a photo which shows it in use.
Vivian was told that one of the words on the chop means “beauty.” The hunt for the chop will continue but she is considering purchasing a new chop, perhaps with her initials on it.
Sara Kelly purchased her chop in China. She shared the story of obtaining it with us: “In 2006 I went to China and tour bus guide in Beijing said she had a cousin who carved chops. Thus she could get us a great deal and they would be ready by the end of the day. We carefully printed our full names and birth year and went on our way to the Great Wall. I ordered one for each of my sons and one for myself. As promised, they were ready that evening. Each chop was nestled in a silk box with a ceramic pot of red ‘dragon’s blood’ ink. Although I was born in the Year of the Boar, mine is carved with an impressive dragon head. It is five inches long and prints an image 1.5 inches square.
Over the course of the following year I created a series of small journal quilts about my trip to China and used the chop on the label of each one. I’ve learned that the ‘dragon’s blood’ doesn’t print well on fabric, but in the interest of authenticity, I keep trying till I get a decent image. Like so many delightful little tools in my studio, it has been buried for a while and I appreciate this opportunity to resurrect my chop.”
Franki Kohler was inspired to buy a chop. Her shopping trip was shared here.
Kay Laboda drew the design she wanted and had it created as a stamp through an on-line source. “I rather like the sweet little guy,” says Kay. Can you tell she is partial to giraffes?
Karin McElvein purchased her chop for about $10 during a trip to China in 2001. She was visiting a temple when the opportunity presented itself. “I had forgotten until I found it that he had actually carved my name. I’m going to start using it on all my postcards!”
Sandy Wagner bought her chop during a trip to China in 1997. It was hand carved for her while she shopped at a very friendly store. It’s a bit difficult to read, she says, but “Sandy” is carved in English with Chinese characters under that. Perhaps she’ll carve it a little deeper to make it easier to read. It’s been about a year since she has used it.
Lynn Woll grew up living overseas. Her chop was made for her during 1967-68 while living in Seoul, Korea. Her maiden name is ‘Hand’ and the characters are a phonetic spelling of her name, Lynn Hand. “Funny,” says Lynn, “I hadn’t thought about it in years. When the conversation among the group started I went in search of it. Believe it or not, it was the in first place I thought I might have ‘safely put it away!’ Thanks for bringing back wonderful memories of living in Seoul with my family.”
A couple web sites were found that might be of interest. This one shows you how to make your own chop:Moo-Cow Fan Club.
This site will create your custom chop: Char4u.
Postmark'd Art 