#LetterProject

[theumbrellabar]

A letter about love and loss.

@shakshigodawat writes about her father who passed away recently. Her letter is brimming with memories of how thoughtful, caring, kind and affectionate a man he was.

I draw for her a portrait of her father. Although I will never know how he physically was, but from his daughters words I certainly know what he felt like.

Incase you would like to participate in my snail Mail project and receive an original piece of art in return to your handwritten letter.

Please write to me a request to participate on theumbrellabar@gmail.com

#portrait #watercolour # painting #flowers

[letterstoyourselfie]

FOCUS.

FOCUS. My Word for the Year.

Now that the first but seemingly longest month of the year has passed, my 2020 intention is focus - or really, “to blow shit up” in the manner of Cindy Gallop. I don’t think I have ever had a word for a year. I’ve set goals but this feels different. In January, Shoshanna Hecht, told me “fun” is her word this year. Immediately, I knew mine would be focus. 

FWIW, I am always intrigued by Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year “judged to reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations with that particular year … a word of cultural significance.” But where Oxford looks back, I am looking forward.

So Focus. I considered "kindness” as an option for my word. I am grateful for kindness. For kind folk. For kind gestures and I like to think I do my share of random acts of kindness. The subway “Kindness” image above is from a recently launched NYC MTA anti-hate campaign. Public transportation riders see words - one at a time - including kindness, respect and solidarity - presented, as in the image above, as an electronic version of NYC’s traditional subway tile and mosaic signs. Last week, when it was January, I spotted signs in two subway stations and on a Fifth Ave bus. Someone must think words work. No doubt, words work for some people. 

For me, focus, the word and as a practice, permits me to be kinder to myself (and as a result, kinder to those around me). Also, the word suggests clarity of vision. This seems appropriate for 2020. For the next 11 months, I am focused on getting shit done as a “preoccupation and making contributions that are culturally significant.” This is kindness. You’re welcome. 

[thesnailmailletterproject]

A letter about books.

Shivangi is a voracious reader. She is currently taking the 666 challenge where she is reading 6 books from 6 countries and 6 continents.

I myself adore books. I love how they can make me imagine, feel, understand and correlate at the same time. For Shivangi, I make the beautiful world only to be found inside of books.

In case you would like to participate in my snail mail project and receive an original artwork in return of your handwritten letter so email me at theumbrellabar@gmail.com

[susansawyers]

Looking back on your 50s, 60s.

[madebyarose]

I've started a little letter writing project! 💛 #aworldofletterstojane #janeausten #letterproject (at Pleasley)

[parkerdtc336]

Quick project using one letter to create a design and logo.

[bymeganmccann]

My new year’s resolutions are simple think less, do more and creat more (art), produce less(waste) Emoji translation 🧘🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🖌🗑 #newyearsresolution #n #letterproject #typography #type #typeproject

[instafashionfix]

✨#마리패션위크 ✨ - 감각적인 디자인으로 차세대 패션계를 이끌 디자이너 이혜미의 #잉크(@eenk_official) 컬렉션 현장! 구조적인 실루엣과 독창적인 색감, A to Z 각 문자에 해당하는 아이템을 멋지게 녹여낸 쇼피스, 섬세한 니트 제품 그리고 프론트로를 찾은 톱모델 #이혜정 (@sweetyhye) #김성희 (@_sungheekim) #이영진 (@rieyz) 이 건네는 인사까지 영상으로 만나보세요. - #EENK #LetterProject #헤라서울패션위크 #2018FW #패션쇼 #패션위크 #서울패션위크 #SeoulFashionWeek #DDP #Seoul

[samybabytattoo]

Another one of my pieces that has been flown up and installed @ambushgallery for @curvycreative (DREAM 💅🏻) Launch Party and Exhibition presented by @volcomwomens_oz #art #exhibition #dream #letterproject this sweetheart asked for help with buying a home for her and her bae. This is a sweet little reminder that a house is built one brick at a time and that every little bit they are doing is helping and also a potted plant house warming gift for when the day finally arrives. 💕💕 #mariansendsyouwhatyouneedproject

[theumbrellabar]

A Letter About Red Red for me is the colour of deep sorrow. I am reminded of prolonged longing whenever I see it. Niyati sends me a Pantone postcard coloured with the deepest Red on one side. This, she writes is her favourite colour. I write her a little poem in the middle of a collage of torn coloured papers and natural pods I picked up on a recent walk. “The red in you, The red in me, The red I wish you and me could see” Incase you want to participate in my snail mail project and recieve an original piece of art in exchange of your handwritten letter. Do write to me on theumbrellabar@gmail.com #letter #snailmail #collage #poems #poem #red #snailmailrevolution #letterproject #pantone #writetome #art #artistsoninstagram #collageart #artist #collage

[letterstoyourselfie]

Before our time but paved the way for future cool kids. If only I hadn’t been so afraid.

[thesnailmailletterproject]

A letter about wilderness

This is a letter which got lost somewhere for ten months and was eventually found and given to me a few days ago. So this one quite special. Priyanka writes to me from a holiday she is taking, from the beautiful coffee estate in Chikmanglur. She passionately describes her beautiful surroundings and yearns to live in the wilderness.

I draw for her a woman in thought, a woman in a contemplative mood, a woman who is aware of her surroundings, a woman who is trying to find a meaning of her existence, A woman like herself!

In case you would like to receive an original hand drawn artwork in return of your letter. Do participate in my snail mail project and write to me at theumbrellabar@gmail.com

[susansawyers]

When your pen-pal is an accused drug-runner & enemy of the USA

Ten-year old Sarah York, from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and General Manuel Noriega wrote letters to each other beginning in 1998. She liked his hat. via #thisamericanlife http://tal.fm/246

[queendap]

preciosarosette: I was looking through old envelopes trying to find my birth certificate because i am taking my permit test in two days and i found this envelope that had my name on it that was written in my old hand writing and so i decided to open it and i found that it was one of those projects where you write a letter to yourself in the beginning of the school year and read it at the end and so i decided to read it and it was from my old 6th grade self and the first line is "This is so boring that i electrocuted my bet frog and watched it die." in cursive hand writing. My eye twitched and as i read through the letter all i say is that class is soo boring. then on the last sentence i write "I wonder if they will let me do another electricity experiment.." And my eye twitched again and i put the letter away and i never want to read it again.

[theumbrellabar]

A bunch of 6 year olds sent me the most precious drawings as a part of my snail mail project. There were houses with sloping roofs, flying birds, happy suns and lots of children and trees in them. Drawings that we are all familiar with, mark making of an early childhood. Iam thankful to their teacher for sending me these innocent drawings. In return, I take elements from their artwork and recreate the compositions. So they find familiarity. An emotion so vital for children. I hope they like them. In order to participate in my snail mail project and receiver an original hand drawn artwork in exchange for your letter. Donwrite to me on theumbrellabar@gmail.com #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #children #art #artistsoninstagram #childrenart #childrensartwork #artist #letterexchange #writetome #letterproject #letter #dailyart #snailmaillove #illustration #illustrator

[thesnailmailletterproject]

A letter about a dream.

Dinah, an artist from Pasadena writes to me about a dream she has. A dream to visit India and see the Taj for real. Last year her family lost everything their home, possessions, everything. She was struck with a medical condition but they’re doing much better now and I am so happy that her dream still lives.

I draw an image of her cradling her dream on the backdrop of a poem she wrote for me called “An athlete dying young” by A E Housman.

In case you would like to participate in my snail mail project and receive an original illustration in return of your handwritten letter. Do write to me on theumbrellabar@gmail.com