RECAP OF THE POSTCARD PROJECT
My 2020 postcard project:
With so many of us sheltering in place in 2020, I kept thinking about the people that might be lonely, sick, recovering, or just isolated.
We all have our gifts. And I know I’d never make it as a nurse, or a preschool teacher, or any of the other essential jobs. But I wanted to do something. And I know this is a VERY small thing. But if we all do one small thing, we can make the world a little better for someone.
I’ve found that often the way to get your mind off of yourself is to do something for someone else. Not easy to do in isolation, so I just did the only thing I could think of to do.
I painted.
During the month of April, I made 30+ fine art postcards on heavyweight watercolor paper. I sent them to people who were shut-in, elderly, or healthcare workers. The first postcard in my 2020 postcard project went to my mom.
I asked my Instagram peeps to DM me with the name and address of a person who might be struggling. (Even more than the rest of us.) I had requests from people all over the country who wanted to share a little joy with a loved one. So I just kept painting them and mailing them.
I shared those postcards on Instagram using the hashtag #artpostcardsconnectus.
Making postcards each day was therapeutic.
I painted each postcard with no regard for my usual style but experimented with new media and subject matter, or lack thereof.
Slowing down. It’s hard for me. I’m not sure why because as a child I could draw or read for hours. I think maybe we set our pace and then we just maintain it. Like many people, I began to see the good in doing less, of making art just to make art, and remembering why I do what I do. It turned out that my 2020 postcard project helped me too.
If you’ve never been a maker, you should consider it; it heals the soul.
Make one yourself. And send it to someone who might need a little lift.
Post a photo with the hashtag #artpostcardsconnectus and let’s continue to spread a little joy.
I selected two of these postcards from my 2020 postcard project to make into prints. These beautiful fine art prints are printed on museum-quality, heavyweight textured archival 300 gsm watercolor paper. Each print is 11″ x 14″ has a 1/4″ deckled edge. They are available in my online shop.
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