Category Archives: Art Exchange

Liberated Art

I have received Kat Sloma’s postcard, signaling the end of her Liberate Your Art Postcard Swap. Kat has asked us not to show it, so that everyone can be surprised when theirs arrives. That might be another week or two for participants outside the U.S.A.

The LYA Blog Hop is April 16-19. Kat will reveal the video showcasing cards from each participant. It is a great chance to discover new artists!

My last official postcard arrived on Friday. Liz Velichko sent the photo of the boardwalk below. It was taken on an overcast day, one of my favorite times to visit the beach. Liz included this on the back:

You were created to love and be loved, to know and be known, you matter.
May you find grace and beauty in exactly who you are today.

Wonderful to find that in your mail, don’t you think?

Jill Hejl, Liz Velichko, Jasmine

Jasmine is a photographer, a “New Yorker” now living in California wine country. She enjoys taking landscape photos of her new surroundings, finding beauty in the everyday. She hopes that her photos will bring joy to others as well. And this one did Jasmine! Very curious about that bold red wall! You can follow her on Instagram, jasmine_sk.

The fellow on the top of the photo, is “Snow Shoveler” by Jill Hejl. Those flecks of white are chunks of snow flying as he wields his weapon. I have followed Jill’s blog for a while now, and I was so excited she agreed to do an extra swap with me. Jill not only creates wonderful characters, but she often writes short stories about them. I get a kick out of what she thinks up.

I would be slightly sad right about now. But I still have some extra swaps I am expecting. Last week I sent out the last of my postcards, and I am looking forward to hearing about their arrival.

Thank you Liz, Jasmine and Jill, AND Kat!
I feel so fortunate that you have shared your art with me!

Liberate Your Art Continues

2 Replies

I’m a bit behind in posting, Friday and Saturday the mailbox was bursting with art. Kat Sloma’s LYA is joyous!

Sunset by Vicki, Count your blessings by MJF

The sunset Vicki captured at Waikiki is stunning isn’t it! She included this quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, ” Nothing is worth more than this day.” Amen! Vicki also shared her blog link. Vicki finds old books, and alters them into works of art. She also takes paper scraps, and turns them into really fun flowers. Take a peek!

I love the colorful reminder from MJF. 1, 2, 3, 4… The card reads:

Mom always said, ” Count your Blessings!” OK then…

I have counted my blessings a lot this past week! This card was an official swap postcard. (#3 of 6) Awesome!

Sunset by Chelsea Rawson

You can never have enough photographs of a gorgeous sunset. This one is Terrific, look at those trees! Not sure if you can tell, but all along the bottom are silhouettes of folks watching the sun disappear.

Chelsea is an Architect and a Photographer! She has an interest in Tiny Homes, something I am obsessed with. (One of my favorite Pinterest searches.) Chelsea has MANY interests and her blog is full of, well, take a look for yourself!

Hoya, by Lui Bacaltos, Fireman by Maggie, Moon/Earth #7, Jo Murray

Hoya, by Lui Bacaltos, Fireman by Maggie Gem, Moon/Earth #7, Jo Murray

Maggie’s card made me smile. Exactly what she intended. Maggie I couldn’t find you on Flickr to follow, but I did find your blog. Really fun photos Maggie!

Lui’s black and white photo gives me such a peaceful feeling. You can see all the postcards Lui created for LYA on her blog. Lui and I have swapped once or twice before, she is my arty friend in the Philippines!

The colorful mixed media piece on top is from Jo Murray in Australia. This is #4 of the official swap. Her blog is full of bold, beautiful colors! Jo works in collage, mixed media, abstracts. Mediums I would like to pursue.

Thanks to each and every one of these artists! I so enjoyed reading your thoughts and inspirations! Joyful!

Special Deliveries

4 Replies

Kat Sloma’s Liberate Your Art Swap is humming along. I have a new batch to share with you. This is a great year! Seems like most of the swappers printed extras, and there is a whole lotta’ sharing going on.

This gorgeous card started as a thank you gift for the artist’s sister. Such a wonderful idea, don’t you think? It came to me from Terry Owenby in Portland OR. A wonderful collage, that includes vintage postcards, and worn book binding.

Recycle, reuse, and re-JOY.

This batch includes three more “extra” swaps and two “official” swap postcards. The photo of the chain is from Mary Greliner in Missouri. She says she loved the chain, and I do too! All that rusty ruggedness.

The Sculpture “Struggle” is from Mark Wilson. Unfortunately the bar code made his address unreadable. I am really hoping Mark will see this and get in touch. I would love to see more of your work Mark!

Batch #2 LYA

The remaining cards are all “extra’s”. That fabulous Dahlia is from Deanie Houghtaling in Phoenix AZ. The card says that the photo was taken in the Jardin Des Plantes in Paris France. How Cool is that! Deanie is a traveler and it is so wonderful that she shares her travels with all the LYA’s. Take a look at this from last year.

The Dream catcher is from Janice Darby in a far-away place called Santa Maria California. Howdy neighbor! This piece is part collage, and there is so much wonderful detail! “Catch” is a theme Janice has visited before. Check out Janice’s card from the 2014 LYA swap. I think this is the third year I have swapped with Deanie and Janice.

Juana Almaguer is an awesome artist working in Langley Washington. Take a look at her blog. Juana mailed her card in a handmade, scented envelope. She used sheet music and washi tape. She painted a bright beautiful bird on it too! Her photo is super cute. An awesome shot of a squirrel stealing a snack. So fun. I thought Juana and I had swapped before, I couldn’t find the post so I am going to have to keep looking.

Having so much fun with swap! My thanks to each artist for sharing their work with me!