On Earth day and the New Moon in Earthly, materially-oriented Taurus, this is a good time to talk about my current little project. I am painting on these postcards made of watercolor paper with designs by activist William Morris. In creating his 19th-century printing press which reproduced literary classics in book forms reminiscent of medieval manuscripts, Morris stood in vehement opposition to the trend of mass production in England which was facilitated by machinery and assembly lines. He utilized a hand-press, ideal for producing editions with limited numbers of copies, and carefully sourced natural materials in an attempt to connect the book-maker with nature and to elevate the book as an art object as it were in the Middle Ages. Idealizing the Middle Ages for its division of labor and focus on the quality of materials used, Morris believed that reviving the methods by which books were made would remedy the polluted industrialized society in which he lived.
I think it is safe to say most of us are pondering the cleaner air circulating the Earth during this global pandemic, while also finding ourselves immersed in technology in order to stay connected. Earth day encourages us to connect with nature, and I imagine other artists like myself are attempting to connect to our materials and disconnect from the incessant scrolling and digitization of recycled images. I felt this would be an appropriate time to send these hand-painted post cards to friends, loved ones, and whoever else wants one to join the Earth in its “breather” from industrialization. It may take a few weeks to arrive, but it will be individually designed for you. I am not charging a dime; however, if you wish to donate, I will forward it directly onto the Wild Pigment Project, which “promotes ecological balance and regenerative economies through a passion for wild pigments, their place of origin, and their cultural histories,” somewhat reminiscent of Morris in connecting the artist with materials, but with a much more sustainable approach, I think. Send me a message in the “Contact” section and I’ll reply with Venmo address. Thanks for your help!