Liberate Your Art 2014 came and went all too fast! Thanks to Kat Sloma my post office box was happy again! The poor thing hardly gets any fun mail since we use it primarily for bills and (apparently) junk mail, so I always do a little mental happy dance when I pull something fun from the box.
If you’re “newish” to my blog, Liberate Your Art is the annual “arts festival by mail” hosted by the inimitable Kat Sloma. Kat hosts the swap every year to encourage artists to professionally produce and share their work with the world. Swappers send five pieces of art to share and receive six by other artists (including one by Kat). You can see my previous years’ posts by clicking the following links: LYA 2013 art sent and received and 2012 art received and 2012 art sent.
This year I, again, received wonderful pieces.
I know! I know! I should showcase the postcards in my environment, but the last few months have been merciless and have provided no time for creativity or anything fun. 
The first one is a close-up of a fall(en) leaf, one of my favorite subjects, photographed by Jennifer of Small Matters.
“Fall” by Jen Erbe
Jennifer shared some wisdom from Kurt Vonnegut: “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
Maddy of the United Kingdom shared this beauty.
“Love” by Maddy
I love how the randomness works out. I love hearts and usually anything with the word “love” on it. Maddy, of A Jewelling Passion for Art and Everything Else, wrote on the back of her postcard: “Everyone needs a little love in their life or the world just isn’t right.”
The woman-centered awesomeness below was created by Polly. Check out more of her art on her Flickr site.
“Strong-Warrior-Wise-Happy-Spirit-Creative-Heroine-Woman” by Polly Johnson
Notice the intensity. I’m trying to decide if she should have a (framed) place near my desk. In fact, this is the only one I was able to get a shot of “in my environment” because I retrieved it early one Friday morning before heading to my office. So, here it is, appropriately next to the teacher figurine my sister gave me and in front of an artistic interpretation of a victim of female genital mutilation created by one of my former students.
“Women”
Last, but not least, Kat sent the stunning “Layered Autumn”–another one from my favorite season.
“Layered Autumn” by Kat Sloma of Kat Eye Studio
See what I mean about how the randomness works out? It’s like the art/mail gods schemed to fill my mailbox with things that would make me giddy. Needless to say, this one will have a permanent place on my “Colors of Autumn” wall.
I’m trying not to stew about the two postcards that are missing somewhere along the postal route. Experience has taught me that they’ll appear…eventually.
As if she knows I have some “missing in action” postcards, the wonderful Candace, as a “random act of kindness” sent me one of her beauties! Candace of Glenrosa Journeys is an awesome photographer and her bird photos are amazing! This one came just in time for my son to claim for his bird-watching journal.
“Stirred for a Bird,” by Candace Porth
Candace’s photo came with a verse by Gerard Manley Hopkins:
My heart in hiding
stirred for a bird,
–the achieve of,
the mastery of the thing!
Thanks, Candace! One of my postcards will be winging its way to you in a few days.
Here are the pieces I liberated. I have extras, so if you want to trade, just send me an email.
Haven’t had enough? Click the LYA 2014 blog hop button below and enjoy even more “liberated art.” While you’re at it, join Kat’s mailing list, so you can join LYA 2015!
Pics and Posts 
Wow, you got some beauties!
Lovely to meet you through the swap and Happy Easter from England x
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These postcards were the highlight of my April mailbox! Thanks for dropping by and Happy Easter!
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Such a lovely collection of beautiful art! I’d love to exchange with you. 😀
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Thanks and thanks! I saw your email and will be sending my address to you later today. I’ll get your card out this week! More happy mail days ahead! 🙂
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Love your work and your picture made me homesick for my sons–all adults now. Thanks.
Pat
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Thanks! Awwww….The little ones grow up too fast–don’t they?
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I do want to trade postcards–hooray, more good mail! Pat
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I tried to find your blog and/or email address. No luck. Send me an email with your addy and I’ll get the card in the mail this week! Happy Week!
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You received a beautiful group of cards. It is so much fun to see all of the art that has been liberated!
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It is fun seeing all the beautiful postcards. You received beautiful postcards as well! Thanks for dropping by!
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“arts festival by mail” … what a great description of Liberate Your Art. I haven’t seen several of the cards you received before — that’s what I love about the blog hop … a greater chance to see them all! The cards you sent are gorgeous. I’m looking forward to 2015!
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Thanks and thanks! It’s interesting how we rarely see “duplicates” via the blog hop. In my three years, I think I’ve only seen a postcard I sent out once or twice (not including Kat’s video). I’m looking forward to 2015 too–I think I already have one postcard selected. Thanks for dropping by!
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What a great collection, this has been such a wonderful experience. I can’t wait to see what a year will bring each of us.
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I’m sorry some of the postcards to you got lost in the mail – hopefully they’ll arrive eventually! The cards you did receive are really nice, and how cool that they match your likes & interests 🙂
I love your horseshoe card 🙂
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Thanks for loving the horseshoe card! 🙂 Yes, it is super cool that the cards match my interests! I do find myself drooling over the cards others received as well. Wouldn’t it be cool if we sent and received 100?! Of course, Kat would go mad with all of the organization and prep, so we’d better keep it at 5. 🙂 The MIA cards will show up. I once sent a postcard to someone right here in the USA and it took 4 months to arrive! That postcard must have some interesting tales to tell!
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Thanks for sharing the cards. I, too, like your horse shoe photo. So dynamic.
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Thank YOU for dropping by and for the compliment on the horseshoe photo!
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The ones you sent out are so pretty and what a bummer that you have 2 missing! I’m not seeing the ones I sent out on any blogs so maybe you’ll wind up getting one of my actual swap cards!
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It would be so cool to receive another one of yours! I haven’t seen any of mine posted either. I usually don’t.
Thanks for the compliment!
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Chandra your images are wonderful! If you still have extras – sign me up 🙂 you can find me on facebook, or my site, sheiladelgado.com. And if not… I will look forward to the chance of getting one from you next year 🙂
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Thank you so much for your kind compliment. I’ll be contacting your shortly re: address! Happy to trade with you!
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You received some beautiful postcards! Love your cards too, especially the horseshoe! If you still have extras I would love to swap, janicedarby@yahoo.com Send me your address if you are interested. Thanks.
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Oh, I love that Kurt Vonnegut quote – thanks so much for sharing that and your other lovely treasures! What a fun experience this has been 🙂
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Lovely cards!
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Wow!! Again, another blog with postcards I haven’t see anywhere else. You received some lovely art for sure. Have a wonderful creative year ahead and I hope to see you next time! Take care!
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Nice collection of cards. Such good art in this swap!
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Your work is beautiful! I hope to see you next time.
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Just stopping by to say hello from the post card swap.
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You received some beauties…love your liberated art too!!! Gorgeous!
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Thanks and THANKS! And thanks for dropping by!
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