You've got mail!
I like email. I like voice mail too, but less so. I am even less enthusiastic about Instant Messaging.
However, I love letters. The stamp in the corner kind of letters, written by a human who's not selling something kind of letters.
And the absolute peak, the China White of mail is the illustrated letter.
A drawing or two, a diagram, a lavish border, illuminated letters, a map scattered among and chicken scratchings. They are very rare and far between: I have some from friends like Dan Price, Richard Bell, from Hannah Hinchman, from Chris Ware. I have some very old ones my dad sent me when I was a toddler. They are very beautiful, very precious and absolutely none of them will ever be thrown away.
I should write more of them myself because they are so much fun to make. You can write even the most mundane things in a letter and then toss in a little doodley drawing and it becomes a work of art. Part of the loveliness of them is that they are so of the moment, so off the cuff, and yet so personal and magical.
I just received a wonderful book called More Than Words: Illustrated Letters from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art by Liza Kirwin. It's full of hundreds of letters, most from artists and spanning the past century or so. There are letters from famous artists like Winslow Homer and Thomas Eakins, Frida Kahlo and Man Ray. There's a hilarious little biographical note from Andy Warhol with a sketch of himself saying hello. And there are many letters from people I didn't know so well but which I'd corresponded with; letters with drawings of their vacation views, diagrams of how to make gizmos, love letters with beautiful illuminations... Many of them are on yellowing paper, written and drawing in sepia ink, my favorite sort of thing. Some are watercolored, pastelled, or colored pencilled. Reading them brings the double pleasure of examining beautiful things and reading what perhaps one isn't supposed to.
More than Words has inspired me to start a little Illustrated Letter Contest . I would like to give away a copy of this book to further inspire someone else. And to beef up the incentive I shall add a copy of my new book, The Creative License. Second and third place winners will receive a copy of my book too. And maybe some thing else small.
To participate, send me an illustrated letter. It could be about why you like illustrated letters or drawing or December. It could be about how life is going, what you'd like to do in 2006, or how to make your favorite sandwich. Anything you want to write (and draw) about. It doesn't matter if you think you are good at drawing. It just matters that you communicate.
Please write to me in the next month, before Christmas and I will announce the winners before the year is out. If you'd like to participate, please email me and I'll send you a mailing address.
And, of course, even you don't want to join the "competition", check out More Than Words. It's really quite a lovely thing.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
This is a great idea! Can't wait to see the entries. Maybe i will do one, just for fun, I assume there is a disclaimer for family members. draw on, Turkey!
Posted by: patricia gregory | November 23, 2005 01:23 PM
I really like your blog! Found you through 40 faces and ... there really is nothing more magical than a letter with pictures. You can scan the pictures first and then go back or absorb it all at once. :) I need to go out and find your book now, it sounds so neat!
Posted by: yoli | November 23, 2005 01:33 PM
sounds like a great idea, but what about all us folks who can't draw?! Gooble, dp
Posted by: d.price | November 23, 2005 01:52 PM
I loved this post. I love letters and have a huge box of letters since I was a little girl. But so few are illustrated and those, I think, were from my colleguees at the college. I'll try to do it but I haven't drawn for so long and have just begin painting and drawing 2 years ago. Love your blog.
Posted by: hfm | November 23, 2005 02:23 PM
Danny,
Great idea. Count me in! I emailed you back channel.
Be well.
Posted by: Kirk | November 23, 2005 02:48 PM
Yes, I'd like to put some of my maddness on a sheet of paper or two, let it all hang out and give the Post Office fits.
Why not?
Jan
Posted by: Jan Caldwell | November 23, 2005 03:26 PM
Hey Danny,
Taking my peek at yer blog today and whoa, as usual, it hit a chord with me for sure.
I have been so majorly inspired by that si.edu display of illustrated letters thatback in '01 I developed an entire design project based on the idea. Instaed of doing what started out to be a newsletter to the employees of a clothing company, I thought how cool it would be to snd every employee letters that their founder would send off to them over a months period of time.
The illustrator- Jack A. Molloy and I mocked up and devised a no. of letters and personal effects of the ficticious character Tommy Bahama ( you know them?, island- inspired resort type wear, eh) .
Actually, I do much of the same thing with my personal letters as well. It's been you and our mutual friend Dan Price that I glean my illustrated letter zealousness from.
Emails won't last and who collects emails, but people are blown away when they get art imbedded in a hand written letter to them.
Chiers to you Mr. Gregory. The happiest of Thanksgivings to you and yoursfrom Portland, OR
K. D. Hollomon
Posted by: Kurt D. Hollomon | November 23, 2005 04:33 PM
Hey Danny,
Taking my peek at yer blog today and whoa, as usual, it hit a chord with me for sure.
I have been so majorly inspired by that si.edu display of illustrated letters thatback in '01 I developed an entire design project based on the idea. Instaed of doing what started out to be a newsletter to the employees of a clothing company, I thought how cool it would be to snd every employee letters that their founder would send off to them over a months period of time.
The illustrator- Jack A. Molloy and I mocked up and devised a no. of letters and personal effects of the ficticious character Tommy Bahama ( you know them?, island- inspired resort type wear, eh) .
Actually, I do much of the same thing with my personal letters as well. It's been you and our mutual friend Dan Price that I glean my illustrated letter zealousness from.
Emails won't last and who collects emails, but people are blown away when they get art imbedded in a hand written letter to them.
Chiers to you Mr. Gregory. The happiest of Thanksgivings to you and yoursfrom Portland, OR
K. D. Hollomon
Posted by: Kurt D. Hollomon | November 23, 2005 04:33 PM
I also enjoyed the book ILLUSTRATED LETTERS which I picked up at a bargain table in a Chapters store in Toronto. Wonderful coffee-table-sized, browsable book, originally a French book, I think, and translated into english.
Posted by: Mike Brown | November 23, 2005 04:40 PM
I agree --what a great (and generous)idea! Email is convenient, spontaneous, and FAST -- but in coming to rely on it so much, I think we miss something of great value-- there's nothing like those letters on paper you can feel, and the special marks of the writer--artist or not-- that convey emotion and content beyond what's in the words.
Posted by: Kathleen | November 23, 2005 04:56 PM
So where do we send it? Do you want a PDF? I guess that kinda takes the fun out of it, doesn't it. Oh fun, I can't wait.
Posted by: Dominique | November 23, 2005 05:23 PM
Fantastic Idea. I'm leaving for Germany on Saturday and will be there for a week. I'll have lot's of time to write in the evenings, so you'll be on my list!!
Big Harry
Posted by: Big Harry | November 23, 2005 05:23 PM
Yoda says there is no try, just DO or NOT DO.
Send me your mailing address and we'll see which one I choose.
Posted by: Heidi | November 23, 2005 09:43 PM
Oh my, do I ever love a hand written letter, count me in (and there are fun stamps at the post office right now too, yay)!
Posted by: lucy | November 24, 2005 10:37 AM
Danny,
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! I really enjoy your blog.
Dan
Posted by: Dan | November 24, 2005 01:44 PM
Hi Danny;
Count me in!
I'm always telling people that letter writing should be given more attention. We've become so enamoured of having everything "right now", things we buy, things we do - it's all about instant gratification. We do it, enjoy it for a few seconds and then look for the next thing to distract us.
Writing a letter by hand is a really good way to slow down the moment; focus on the writing while thinking of the person who will read it. It's another way of bonding with that friend or family member, even when we aren't actually with them.
I'll do my best to draw something on a letter if you send me your postal address.
Great idea!
Bonny in BC
Posted by: Bonny | November 24, 2005 02:31 PM
I would SO love to do this!!! Please send me your addy!!!
Posted by: Karenann Young | November 24, 2005 04:57 PM
Oh...this sounds like so much fun. Please count me in!
When I was in college in WVa, I used to write to my then boyfriend who was working a summer sales job in Portland, Oregon. He was lonely and clearly missing home and I like to think, me. I wrote him, nearly every day. Illustrated letters and envelopes of MY summer of classes and fun in WVU, Morgantown, WVa. His roommates there were so jealous. They were Strathmore cards and envelopes, painted in acrylics, watercolor and pen, and he kept every single one. Later I found out that they helped him get through a very trying summer.
Hope you and yours had a very Happy Thanksgiving, Dan! CHeers!
Posted by: Kisane | November 25, 2005 04:47 AM
Count me in!!! Here's my email:e14studio-at-yahoo-dot-com. I remember when Nick Bantock first started his Griffin & Sabine series. It felt like "eavesdropping" as the reader opened envelopes in the book to get to the letters rich with imagery and stories. Thanks!
~Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | November 25, 2005 10:51 AM
Yes! I will participate as well.
You are friend with Hannah Hinchman! Wow! That is my goal, to someday sketch and watercolor like that. Or like me. There are only original artists, right?
Rita Cleary
Posted by: Rita Cleary | November 25, 2005 06:38 PM
to my regular source of creative inspiration:
i'd love to participate.
thanks!
-marnie
Posted by: marnie | November 26, 2005 09:37 PM
sign me up for the illustrated December letter--i've done a few and none recently so it's high time. LOVE the new site/sight.
(PS you may remember we drew together at Kooch's in Wallowa County summer before this past)
Posted by: melinda | November 30, 2005 12:47 PM
Sounds like fun! Unfortunately, with the mail as it is in New Orleans, I doubt my letter would reach you in time. I can't wait to see what other people come up with, however.
Posted by: Hannah | December 1, 2005 08:48 AM
hi danny,
i like your little description on your pens of the moment. i too, have been always interested in finding the perfect drawing tool. but, just when you think you've found it, you come across another one. anyway, i believe that it's not the tool but talent and hard work that makes the artist.
Posted by: Michael Scholz | December 10, 2005 02:50 PM
Danny, know it is past the contest deadline but can we still send you letters? hehe I think it would be cool to keep the gallery going and growing with more. If you don't or can't, I could start a gallery on Renmeleon to continue it; I love mail art and have been actively involved in it and artistamps for years.
Love the new site by the way!
Ria :)
Posted by: Renmeleon | January 8, 2006 10:25 AM
Danny - a long time fan. I started to write all my friends 6 months ago, explaining that I was bringing back the written letted. I recieved 1 letter, 4 e-mails and many phone calls. "great idea, but". I continue to write and color and doddle them and have joy knowing that they know I spent the time for them. Kate.
Posted by: Kate Moody | May 28, 2006 06:12 PM