I've been feeling kind of DOWN lately, overwhelmed with guilt because it seems like I've been lazy and wasting a lot of time---but then I look at all the photos...
I am a compulsive documentarian, partially because I aspire to be counted as a CONCEPTUAL ARTIST, someday, whose PROJECT was a million tiny gestures instead of one big "masterpiece," and partially because I have an absolutly AWFUL memory, so if I DON'T get some kind of documentation for my efforts, I'm going to completely forget what I've done in a matter of a few weeks.
I am often GENUINELY surprised when I go back and look at journal entries, old blog posts, and boxes of old drawings or zines. It's pretty exciting stuff! I can hear my voice in the flow of the words, see my scratchy, Neolithic lines in the drawings or other images, but have little or no memory of a given piece, even when it's sitting right in front of me. Strange stuff!!!
Anyway, though I've felt sort of worthless lately (despite only missing one day of posting in the last month---and I DID post on several OTHER social media platforms that same day, just not on HIVE), the photos on my phone show where a great deal of my time and energy has been focused lately:
KEEPING IN CONTACT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY VIA POST!!!
Here are just SOME of the numerous pieces of MAIL ART (AKA: POSTAL ART, AKA: CORRESPONDENCE ART) that I've created and sent in the last few weeks:
There are more, of course, but I'm saving some of them so the recipients don't accidentally see them before they get them. Additionally, if the material was too personal to be particularly funny, I skipped those ones, as well. Even so, I believe this selection gives you (dear reader) a feel for the mood and the art / slash / writing styles that I've been utilizing for my communications in the recent weeks.
I'm amused, and helping myself and others stay positive considering the current state of the world seems to me (at this moment at least) to be a worthwhile use of time (and other valuable resources.) I've managed to convince myself that I'm NOT being lazy, I'm just focusing on mental health---mine and my correspondents'!
Plus, let's not forget, buying and using postage stamps is helping to fund and #savetheusps !!! Keep hope alive !!!
Okay. Enough for now! Don't forget: tomorrow is HIVE POWER UP DAY!!! Later!
---Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)