The Artistic Way to �Stay in Touch
Week One “Body and Soul” What makes a great letter and creating the perfect package
Welcome friends, each Friday in this series we’ll be exploring different ways to create meaningful letters and packages with deep-ish dives into writing styles, design techniques and links for further resources.
For each session you’ll want to have a few objects gathered for our in class activity, you can work with just a pencil or pen, copy paper and glue or gather any art or craft supplies you might have at home.
Since many of us may be sheltering with minimal supplies available, I’ll be including creative workarounds to substitute for things you might not have on hand. For example, you might not have a glue stick- no worries! In week One I’m including a recipe for wheat paste a great make at home solution which is one of graffiti artist Banksy’s favorite mediums.
February 10th- Body and Soul What makes a great letter and creating the perfect package
February 17th- Rock that Paper and Scissors Collage techniques and creative assembly
February 24th- Hand Jive Easy calligraphy and handwriting exercises
May 1st- Sealed with a Kiss Making stationary and envelopes
During each session we’ll:
Much like letter writing, I am hoping to create a conversation, you are welcome to post your art and other feedback on my Facebook page Twobeeindustries or Instagram @twobeecreative (you can tag @DUcollege as well!) or shoot me an email shawn@twobeeindustries.com
Copies of this slide show will be public and available on my website to refer to later
Staring at a blank page can be a terrifying moment and when you’re looking to write letters during a time of crisis and uncertainty makes this even more challenging. My best advice to loosen up by watching a helpful video “The War in Words” on what not to do from Saturday Night Live…
Examining the correspondences of great writers can help inspire you- today Philip Larkin’s letter to Kingsley Amis resonates with a number of my feelings
“Dear Kingsley,
I write at 4:30 on a Sunday—well, this one, to be precise—what you might call the arse-hole of the week. Lunchtime drink dead, not time for six o’clock gin. Tea? Don’t make me cross. Sorry you are feeling lowdown; I sympathise. I don’t know that I ever expected much of life, but it terrifies me to think it’s nearly over. I mean there can’t possible now be any good bits like going to Corfu with some busty ex-Roedean girl WHOSE FATHER GIVES HER LOTS OF MONEY…”
In this slightly crude missive Larkin, in an original and sincere voice hits the key components of the “friendly letter”. He creates a conversation, shares news, gives us some really entertaining visuals and compels Kingsly to answer.
This note is one of many included in the Paris Review website, browsing under the tag “Correspondences” is a treasure of fascinating letters from people in literary history
Rather than taking inspiration from real writers you can also look to fiction, what better time to catch up on Epistolary novels. For this course there is no better example than the Griffin and Sabine books by Nick Bantock
Which can be found locally at Tattered Cover
and if you are a fan of British Literature there is no more delightful novel than A.S. Byatt’s Possession
Manifesto for Creative Correspondence
Sending mail like the giving of gifts should be unconditional, know you might not receive a reply but you will bring joy to the recipient, even if your letter goes unanswered.
Build a writing kit or station- Gather your supplies in a shoe box or pretty basket- pens, paper, pencils, glue, envelopes and stamps. If your station is portable you can tote it around the house or take it outside with you. Pack a file folder with your favorite ephemera, ticket stubs and collage materials
Write when the impulse strikes, to the person you are thinking about at that moment, or be Victorian and set aside the first hour of your day for letters.
Don’t be boring! You don’t need to leave the house to buy stamps or send mail- the USPS will ship to you, they even have Gwen Ifill!
Great writing can be cathartic but remember you are hosting a conversation,
Personal letters aren’t about perfection but intent, if possible forgive yourself for spelling errors and crossed out words.
Unlike email and text, we tend to hang on to letters, the words we choose aren’t just a transmission of language but a declaration, an oath, a contract. When I commit these words to paper, I bind my intent. Thoughts and emotions of the moment go from an abstract verbal language to tangible symbols (writing) which, like a time machine can be visits or even repeat visits to the past, don’t say something you’ll regret!
Choose your words wisely
Write a rough draft if you’d like, striking a tone that speaks from the heart. Since you are writing to friends and not a business letter, find the language, even if it is slang that suits your relationship.
Make those words count
If you can’t be witty, quote someone who is- Google your favorite smart people.
Even if your penmanship is terrible, draft your final letter by hand. You are giving a piece of yourself and pen to paper is another act of intimacy and connection. Your perceived flaws in presentation will be overshadowed by this personal gesture.
Never make letter writing a chore. To insure it’s something you’ll really take pleasure in, set the stage. Wear something comfy, play music to fit your mood, find a favorite spot to sit, by a window or somewhere you won’t be interrupted. Make a cup of tea or glass of wine, celebrate in this moment, it will come through in your writing.
We all have people we’re reaching out to right now, being involved with our friends and family has never been more pressing- There are other folks, strangers who could benefit from our kind words… here is a link to database of organizations you’d be welcome to write to. This is an open public google doc and I would welcome additions to this list if you would like to share…
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cuh0nHXcPSkGIgWc5LhSqRjRyb9IJDNrCQC2ZsbSvvg/edit#gid=0
Curating a Care Package
·
An awesome note written by you
· Quote, poem or other words of encouragement
· A cerebral challenge- Sudoku, crossword, Mad Lib
· An artistic outlet- include a blank coloring page (google almost any hobby plus the words coloring page and you are sure to find something interesting)
· A 3-D experience- put in origami paper and easy instructions or lines to fold your letter into a paper airplane and there are lots of paper models on Pinterest that you can download and print
· Something comforting- packet of tea, coco or powdered vitamin c, flower seeds, microwave popcorn, recipe with homemade spice mix