Victory Mandala

Victory Mandala, mixed media on canvas, 8”x8”

Putting up a window sign for President Obama’s re-election was a bit of “preaching-to-the-choir” here in San Francisco.  Our President received over 83% of the vote locally.  Still, I proudly put up the sign.  The other day it was time to take it down.  It just seems like something one should save.  But I have to ask, how much stuff can I save?  The solution for me was obvious.  Preserve the sign by using it in a piece of art.  Out came the exacto knife followed by the glue.  The result is the Victory Mandala.  It’s not only a  victory for President Obama but more, a victory for common sense, for our country and our planet.  And it’s also a victory for continuing to move forward into the 21^st Century.  

The Geo Graphic Mail Project

A few months ago a friend gave me a pile of postcards and postcards books picked up at various art museums over the years.  Many of the paintings on the postcards were nudes, from Mel Ramos, to Picasso to Hopper as well as some vintage erotic images.  It all lead to a silly idea.  I thought I would “censor” the images with bits of maps.  The idea was to create a series of geo graphic mail or was it geographic mail?  This week I mailed out the 50 postcards to various friends and artists.  Be warned, they might shock your postal carrier.  A few more can be seen in the Mail Art section at tofuart.com.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish, mixed media on canvas, 24”x24”

Pictured above is my latest piece — more mixed work with old postage stamps.  I always like the effect when you look at a piece of art from across the room and, as you get closer, you see something different when you realize the piece is comprised of hundreds or thousands of small pieces of something else, in this case postage stamps.  As I was working on this one, something else happened, I added the row of Vietnamese postage stamps featuring various folk costumes.  As I kept working towards the center when I noticed the unintended effect.  As the circle was being filled in it was reminding me more and more of a jellyfish.

And I can say this piece is blessed.  The sun is low in the sky this time of the year, but the entrance to my apartment building is usually very sunny.  I actually take art down there to be photographed.  Last week, on Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, I brought the piece downstairs to be photographed.  I also carried a handful of marigold petals.  On the Day of the Dead one of the traditions is to sprinkle marigold petals on your doorstep.  I do it to let my departed loved ones know they are welcome to pay a visit.  I stepped outside, camera around my neck, marigold petals in my hand, carrying Jellyfish flat and upright into the sun.  Immediately a butterfly landed on the piece of art for a moment.  I set the art down and then sprinkled the flower petals only to have the butterfly return to land on my hand.  Safe to say, I feel this piece of art is extra special – it’s blessed!  

My Latest Favorite

Today I found the 29^th piece to be returned waiting for me in my P.O. Box.  One of the things about the Millennia Mail Art Project is that it always seems the latest one to come back is my new favorite.  The cloth pansy added by Beth Yarnelle Edwards was the perfect touch along with additional layers by Diane Pierce, Rebecca Holt Palmer and Sara Holt.

All of the returned pieces can be seen at tofuart.com along with links to the participating artists’ websites.