Completed Mail Art for - Mixed Messages

Mail art works for Mixed Messages exhibition.

Artworks - 

1. I made you a little something (I do hope you like it) xox,  

18 x 24cm, mixed media (envelope with illustration inside - illustration is 1a)

2.  I've got so much to tell you (everything is just perfect), 11.5 x 16.5 cm, mixed media

3.   I hope this finds you well…, 11.5 x 16 cm, mixed media

4.  I miss you dear soul (please write), 9 x 14.5 cm, mixed media

5.  How has the weather been?, 11 x 11 cm, mixed media

© Sarah Donnell 2011

Backs of all mail art (except illustration in bottom left).

Mail art illustration (1a)

Here they are, mail art lovers!

I have decided to post my finished artworks as I won't be able to attend the exhibition in person.  For those that can, the five works above will be for sale in the Mixed Messages exhibition, Toowoomba QLD.

I had the most incredible fun making these artworks.  Unlike painting, which at times I find a tad stressful when the image is not turning out how I would like, creating these mail art collages was pure enjoyment.  There was very little planning involved and it was a very child-like and spontaneous activity.  I would highly recommend it. These art works have turned out to be a great mix of collage and typography, both of which I really love.

I challenge you, if you consider yourself to be an artist or not, to try this for yourself!  Use whatever is handy - your kids art supplies, cardboard, packaging or paper from your recycle bin - anything.  Send it to someone who will get a kick out of it or maybe just stick it on your fridge and enjoy the art you have created out of basically nothing at all.

Lots of love,

x Sarah

Upcoming exhibition details -


Mixed Messages: A Mail Art Project and Exhibition
Opening - 12 February 2012 at 2pm
Dates - 1-25 February 2012
Venue - The Repertory Theatre, Toowoomba QLD

Mail Art Exhibition Prep

Inspiration - "Good Mail Day" (Jennie Hinchcliff and Carolee Gilligan Wheeler)

Vintage Stamps (global) - found at a local emporium ($2 each!)

Beautiful vintage flower stamps - the Chinese stamps are particularly whimsical and lovely.

Bird stamps.

Assembling mail art materials - most of the envelopes to be used are pre-loved ie. used.

If you have seen the "events section" of my blog lately, you may have seen that I am participating in a mail art group exhibition in February 2012 in Toowoomba, QLD. 

I have been looking forward to creating the five works for this exhibition for ages.  Finally today, I sat down to make some postal art.

I have been reading Good Mail Day (pictured above) for inspiration.  This book is a great little introduction to mail art, featuring some history of the art form, the basic "rules" of mail art, ideas for constructing interesting mail art (also how to make your own envelopes), a gallery section and stickers.  Basically an outsider art form, mail art has an interesting history.  To quote the blurb of "Good Mail Day", "The term mail art refers to pieces of art sent through the mail rather than displayed or sold in traditional venues.  Mail artists often use inexpensive and recycled material including postcards, collage, rubber stamps, and photocopied images."  It seems mail art could be the art of the everyday person, artist or no.

Who hand writes letters in this day and age, right?  Almost no one.  Your grandmother might still send you a handwritten letter or card or you might send a one liner postcard whilst traveling overseas (but let's be honest here really, the effort is generally too great to even bother with that when there is email).  The effort and patience we have for letter writing, doodling and decorating postal mail in this day and age is basically - zilch.  It is probably easier just to get on Facebook, right?  The art of the letter is lost - almost!  It is my quest for this exhibition to uncover the dying art of the letter - breathe new life into it and rebirth it into fine art. 

Above are some items I gathered to create my mail art.  I will post the completed works tomorrow.

x Sarah

PS. For the mail art enthusiasts out there, Google mail art and search the image section - some beautiful work comes up!

Christmas Eve 2011 - Encounter Bay Photos

Above - Photos taken on Christmas Eve 2011 (early afternoon) from Mum and Dad's place up on the hill at Encounter Bay, SA.  The heat is evident in the sea haze you can see over the water and against the sky...

Last three above - later in the evening on Christmas Eve.  The gorgeous colours of this ocean view are forever changing.  No moment is ever the same.  This last photo is particularly gorgeous.

I slept through sunrise on Christmas Day, otherwise I would have a nice photo to post here (it is holidays after all) :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

x Sarah

A Merry, Merry Christmas...

....and a Happy New Year...let's hope it's a good one.  Without any fear.

- John Lennon

Currently Reading: Bazaar Style

Bazaar Style: Decorating with market and vintage finds (Selina Lake, Joanna Simmons and Debi Treloar) and has become one of my many favourite Interior Design/Style books I treasure and pour through every now and then for inspiration. 

It was originally a library find that I stumbled across but then soon realised I couldn't live without.  Now I own my own copy (pictured) which arrived this week.

This book was first published in 2008 but is still fresh and relevant even though we are heading into 2012.   For those, like me, who are obsessed with vintage, retro and odd unique finds from op-shops, markets and emporiums, this book is for you.  In an age where recycling is becoming more and more "chic" (and quite frankly, necessary), Bazaar Style shows you how to integrate your treasured vintage into your home in really different ways. 

After reading Bazaar Style you will realise nothing you have collected and love needs to be tucked away in a cupboard, clashing colours, patterns and textures are your friend and a beautiful and interesting home does not have to cost a fortune - indeed, not a great deal at all.  Eye-popping colour, pattern and decorative show-and-tell are big themes in this beautiful book.  I love it!  You can pick up your own copy through http://www.amazon.com/

Happy Reading.

x Sarah

PS. Pictured behind the book is my make-shift Christmas Tree for this year (a jewellery stand with handmade paper ornaments made from a vintage romance novel and old sheet music with brown string - very Bazaar Style indeed!)

Edible Art - Christmas Yum

It's that time of year... again!

Pictured here is a variation of a recipe I found in a free Coles magazine called, "Chocolate Bark".  Instead of pistachios, I used a nut mixture as topping.  Get the original recipe here.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Happy Christmas good people!

x Sarah

Espionage Christmas Craftisan Market - 16th December 2011

Thank you to everyone who made it to the market on Friday night and to all those lovely people who purchased items from me...

...and a big thank you to everyone reading this for your support of my art in 2011.

Merry Christmas everyone!

x Sarah

The Art of Sarah Donnell - Wearable Art





Hot off the workbench!  The Art of Sarah Donnell - jewellery line.

This is something I have been meaning to do for a while.  At the moment I have some cute lockets, rings and also some larger pendants (not pictured here yet).  More images and styles are yet to come, including brooches.  The images in the jewellery shown here are from new works this year. 

I will be selling some of these at the Espionage December art market tomorrow night (16th Dec 2011) if anyone out there is coming along and I hope to add this jewellery range to my online store which I am busy getting ready to open in the new year!

I would love to know what you think of these, so feel free to leave a comment and/or make suggestions as to what you would like to see in my wearable art jewellery line.

x Sarah

The Outsiders Festival 2011 - People's Choice Award Third Place

I am very honoured to report that my painting "Onion Skin" won third place (shared with others) in the People's Choice Awards for The Outsiders Festival 2011.

Thank you so much everyone who voted for my artwork - what a fantastic response!

Read the rest here - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Outsiders-Festival/147756341964574

Lots of love to you all

x Sarah

Getting Creative

Semaphore Community Markets - 4th Dec 2011

Photos of my stall at the Semaphore Community Markets at St Bedes, Semaphore - last weekend.

I will be appearing next at:

The Espionage Christmas Craftisan Market
Espionage Gallery
Suite 1, Level 2, 93 Rundle Mall, Adelaide
(entrance off Lindes Lane)
Friday 16th December
5pm - 9.30pm


I'm looking forward to the luxury of an indoor stall at this next market, without the threat of sunburn and dehydration :)
 
Thanks to all who came out to St Bedes last weekend - it is always very humbling to hear your wonderful comments on my work.
 
I hope you are all enjoying the lead up to Christmas.
x Sarah