The Envelope Project

I have embarked on a new journey, one that complements who I am and what I love.  From a very young age I have loved the written word.  Books were a welcome escape and writing that first poem in 7th grade was a revelation.  Even though having it read in class was traumatic for me and I denied that I wrote it, inside I was glowing.  My poem was read (it was the only poem read aloud); therefore, it must have been good.  Wow!  Validation.

For awhile there, I wrote a lot.  Poems poured out of me.  I wrote a few short stories, but they weren't any good.  I haven't been able to find a story voice.  But, I digress.  Fast forward 30-some (okay, maybe 40-some) years and here I am.  Finally able to see that all that worry, all that negative thinking was a colossal waste of time.  But, as a kid, you just don't know that.  Seriously.

So, I have decided to combine my new found drawing/doodling creativity with my love of writing and every day I am designing an envelope (or postcard) and sending a written note or letter to someone in my life.  There are going to be repeat recipients, of course, as I don't know 365 people who are close to me.  Sure, I could send out some business correspondence in a decorated envelope or send to randomly selected strangers, but I'll see how it goes sending to the people I know first.

My start date was October 4, 2010 and I will continue to at least my birthday in June 2011 and hopefully I'll continue on until I have a collection of 365 decorated envelopes or postcards.  Each day I log the date and the recipient's name and take a picture of the envelope/postcard.  I've already received two phone calls thanking me for my correspondence and complimenting me on my artwork.  It feels good.  I'm excited to see a growth in my artwork.  At least I'm expecting that to be one of the side benefits.

So, if you would like a piece of correspondence, the kind you can hold in your hands and not read on a monitor, with the added bonus of a decorated envelope to boot, then send me your address and I'll put you on my list of recipients.  How EXCITING is that??!!