Barb Henson is staying in touch with family and friends through Mail Art

BARB HENSON has sent mail art to family and friends with each envelope drawn to fit their personalities. Right now Barb is working on envelopes to mail to more of her family members. She is hoping people will catch on to this art form and reach out to their families and friends.

MAIL ART IS BEING DELIVERED TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Stockton’s former art teacher, Barb Henson, has been a mail artist for a long time, stating it is a big artistic movement that began in the 1960s. Barb had even introduced it to her art students by hanging up a world map in the school hallway. She mixed art and geography into that lesson and would pin the envelopes mailed back to them on the map.

Barb stated that most mail art is political, but she steers clear of that and sends out art that suits her personality, which means the pictures are usually humorous, cute or funny. Of course, she also sends out mail art that pertains to a serious cause or references something that is important to the person she is sending it to. And along with the personal artwork, she always includes a personal note inside that reflects the work on the envelope. Sometimes she includes things like a candy wrapper or logos when she sends mail to an artist in another country, just because it might be interesting to them.

What sparked her interest to draw mail art this go around was something she saw on Facebook that Jordan Carpenter had posted. Jordan was teaching her children how to address an envelope. Barb thought that they might like to get some mail, so she posted on Facebook that she would do art mail for those who were interested. Some of the mail art Barb designed this time included Patrick Mahomes holding Lightning McQueen, which combined the two things the receiver of the letter enjoys; swimmer and logo for her nephew Frank; an alien scientist for her nephew Henry who is into science, nature and planets; and a little penguin in a chef hat to incorporate what her niece Lillie loves—penguins and wanting to be a chef. Also, during this last round of art mail, Barb enclosed a handwritten note with bubble-style lettering on the outside of the envelope as well as on the note, along with a book mark. And she is tickled to say she has received mail art back from some of the kids. Barb stated, “It is fun to get some mail that is not a bill!”

Barb said anybody and everybody can do this, noting it is kind of like the rocks people paint and hide around town. It is a trend that is fun for all ages and one she hopes will catch on. People can look up the history of mail art online, or just start drawing their own mail art to send to family and friends. Or better yet, send to grandparents who can then display those beautiful masterpieces drawn by little hands on the best art gallery in the world—the refrigerator!