Sunday, April 17, 2016

On Print Swaps, and How I'm Pretty Sure I Got the Best One

GUYS.GUYS.GUYS.

So a few weeks ago I signed up for Dianne Tanner's Print Swap because it had all the elements one could possibly ask for in a creative project: the involvement of others, a push to produce, and - most exciting - the CHANCE TO GET MAIL. What's not to like??

So fast forward to last week, when the world's most beautifully-wrapped package comes clattering through my mail slot. YOUGUYS.

It was not just a print, oh no. It was a work of ART. Several works of art. There was a COLLAGE. There was a hand-painted and -bound BOOK that had words of JOY and ENCOURAGEMENT. There was even candy and hot chocolate! I can't even believe it. (Apologies now to the girl whose name I drew. She's going to be like, 'Thanks for the photograph, jerk.') And even though I don't personally know the artist, Helen Jones, I can say this with complete confidence: SHE IS WONDERFUL HUMAN.

 JUST LOOK AT ALL THIS. And when you expand the black square on the lower left, it turns into THIS:

I KNOW. A truly stunning mixed-media work of art. The paint on these pages gives them such a gorgeous texture that I can't stop running my fingers across them. And the vibrancy of the color is incredible. And don't get me started on the words themselves: 'Find what makes you different then live a lifetime of it', 'applaud imperfections.' The phrase 'raptures of delight' doesn't even come close to how I felt as this expanded in my hands. 


It all sits with pride now in the front room and I tell everyone I made it. 

If youguys want to stalk Helen with me, you won't regret it. Here's her writing, her photography, and her etsy page (in case you want to buy something she's created to pass off as your own. I highly recommend it.) 

Helen, I can't thank you enough for this. 

Big hugs and lots of love,
Esss