Inspiring Postcards

Various pieces from the 2011 Project incorporating vintage postcards, (4’x4” each)

Four years later, as I look back at the 2011 Project, I can see what significant role postcards continue to play in my artwork.  There have been many new pieces since 2011 that have used postcards.  And now, as I reach the halfway point in 2015, my new book Helen’s Postcards is now available.  Be sure to check it out.

May 28, 2011 – The World’s Most Beautiful Bridge

She is 74 today and still looks great. I’ve lived in San Francisco over 20 years and still, every time I cross the Golden Gate Bridge, I get a little thrill. It’s quite appropriate that the world’s greatest city has the world’s most beautiful bridge. There is a reason why you can go pretty much anywhere in the world and you’ll see images of the Golden Gate Bridge — it’s stunning. Next year we’ll have a big party for 75.

January 13, 2011 – To fold or cut?

I love collecting origami paper. I have a big pile of it for future projects. I collect a lot of things for my collage fodder boxes. I am really no different than sewers who buy fabric they may use one day. My mom has quite the fabric pile in the attic. Now, I do appreciate the spectacle of a huge hanging mass of origami cranes, but honestly, I don’t have the patience for all the folding. It’s a funny thing to say considering the labor-intensive quality of so much of my work. But the paper is fun to cut up and use and other things. My hands can handle the exacto knife, but all that folding is just not going to happen.

January 9, 2011 – Washington State Blue

Something exciting yet unexpected is happening with the 2011 Project. Many of these pieces, today’s in particular, are turning out to be studies for larger pieces.

The second Sunday and the color again is all about blue. Today was a trip to the Vintage Paper Fair in San Francisco. They happen a few times a year in the City. The fairs are becoming a real don’t miss for me. I first went to one about two years ago. I became totally inspired as I was sifting through old postcard booklets. That summer I did a project where I made a series of my own, handmade postcard booklets. Each booklet was constructed with 12 original paintings. Today’s piece involved deconstructing some vintage, Washington State postcards and reconfiguring in a way I usually do when I work with maps.