David Foster, via Victoria, BC, CANADA

What a great pleasure it was to meet David recently . . he lives up to his reputation of openness . . such a great talent . . Andi this one's for you!

Claudio Gavina, Milano, ITALY

Thanks Claudio . . I'll enjoy having you make me smile each time I enter my Palace of Faces . .
Love and Laughter from the Canadian Coast
M.

Marilyn Dodds, California, USA

What a delight to meet Marilyn and spend time with her while in Vancouver this past week.

Marilyn is spokesperson for Virtuesse.

Miguel Jimenez, El Taller de Zenon, Sevilla, SPAIN

Thanks . .Great to hear from you. I'll be sending something your way soon.
To see more from this artist: EL TALLER DE ZENON

Lorraine Kwan, Vancouver, BC, CANADA

Thanks Granny L . . and no worries about that boy Dale . . he will not be getting a peek in . . . until the word comes down from Nanny's Anon . .
Love to you from the isle of wonder and certain amusement.

Pam Chambers, Vancouver, BC, CANADA

Thanks Pam . . Great to see you at ReVision!
Mailarta is envious of the Neffertiti hat . . .

Celestino Neto, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL

Check out this mail art call that also came in with Celestino's portrait: TOCA DO LOBO


Also check out his Blog: Celestino Neto

Darcy, Victoria, BC, CANADA

Thanks Darcy . . The wall of portraits at the Palace gets more diverse with each entry . . . It is taking on a life of it's own . . all the untold stories that surround the visuals . .

John Holmes, St. John's, Newfoundland, CANADA

Thanks John . . for the addition to the Gallery . . and all the wonderful memories that it brings from my days in Newfoundland.

Toller Cranston, Toronto, ON, Canada

What a delight to meet Toller and to revisit memories of the grand days of figure skating. His art show is currently on here in Victoria.
ARTEVO
Another interesting site to glimpse into the world of Toller Cranston is this studio/home review in San Miguel d'Allende

Mad Hatters of Victoria, Victoria, BC, CANADA

From the opening of Mailmania 3 - the Preview Show at Studio J . . what a wonderful air of excitemnet when the Mad hatters arrived . . Hope to see them in January at the Opening of Mailmania 3 at the Slide Room Gallery.
Thanks Isobel for getting the signatures.

Aaron Almeida Holmquist, Maracay, Edo. Aragua, VENEZUELA

Thanks Aaron for this wonderful portrait . . see you in the mail!
Be sure to check out: Aaron Almeida Holmquist

Keyla Holmquist, Maracay, Aragua, VENEZUELA

Thanks so much for these incredible portraits. I look forward to seeing them in the collected works in the gallery.
check out Keyla's site: Holmquist ART CORREO

George Littlechild and John Powell, CVAG Art Auction, Courtenay, BC, CANADA

A wonderful evening in the midst of such talent and bountiful beauty

George Sawchuk, Fanny Bay, BC, CANADA

What a delight it was to meet George yesterday on the return trip from the CVAG Art Auction, in Courtenay . . .
See George's Art at: GEORGE SAWCHUK

Alexandra D. Vicich, Woodside, NY, USA

Thanks so much Alexandra . . . Wonderful shots!

Jane Lincoln Taylor, New York, NY, USA

Many Thanks Jane for the contribution . . ( and Thanks to Anne . . . for spreading the word) . . .
Remember there's an open invitation to drop by the studio whenever you are in town! Come see your portrait in the Gallery ...
M.

Colleen Jasinski, Astoria, NY, USA

Thanks Colleen, really appreciate your contribution . . you have now joined the artists in the ongoing project.
All the best with your art!

See more about Colleen at: TALENT PROFILE
Mailarta

Okadascat, Hartlepool, Cleveland, ENGLAND

I've now discovered Postcrossing thanks to Okadascat.

See more from Okascat at: HOLEMUSEUM

Virginia Errick, Victoria, BC, CANADA

Special delivery from Virginia . . . A delight to have you join the collection . . one of the hosts of ATC Victoria Sunday gatherings . . we met again yesterday . .en plein aire . . sun was hot and the company was great.

Ric Raxlen, Victoria, BC, CANADA

Rick Raxlen as Floyd Curry 1953-54

Rachel Berman, Victoria, BC, CANADA

Study for Rrose Selavy

What am I today??? Yes, I too can relate . . .
In Transit
M

Jason Berlin, Kelso, WA, USA

Thanks for this amazing portrait and collection of ephemera . . . See you in the mail very soon.

L & L
M.

Raven Wilkinson, New York, NY, USA

Here's a little background on Raven . . . It was a delight to meet her in NYC.
When Raven Wilkinson was about five years old, her mother took her to the City Center Theater to see the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. The ballet was Coppelia and when the curtain opened, Raven was enraptured by what she saw on the stage.

After seeing her first ballet, Raven wanted to be a dancer. But because of her age, no school would accept her. When she was nine, her uncle gave her a gift of lessons at Ballet Russes School. Her teacher, Vecheslov Swoboda, took an interest in little Raven and nurtured her. Madam Swoboda was the biggest influence in her life and dance career. Later, as an adult, Bill Griffith became her mentor.

Sergie Denham, director of the school and company, was impressed with Raven's progress. He offered her a strange proposal: Denham wanted her to be part of the company without a contract. He told her that there was another girl in Chicago he wanted to see before giving her a contract. Raven felt they wanted to see how she would be accepted in the south. Raven made it clear that she would not advertise that she was black, but she would not deny it either. When they got to Chicago without any problems, it turned out that there was no other girl. In 1954 they gave Raven a full contract, making her the first African American to be a member of a major ballet company. In the second season she was promoted to soloist, and stayed with the company for six years.

On a tour of one-night stands she roomed with Eleanor D'Antuono. For two years there was no problem until a black elevator girl recognized her as African American and reported her to the management in Atlanta, Georgia. Even though she had roomed at the same hotel in the past, the clerk wouldn't let her stay. They called a cab to take her to a black hotel. Eleanor was going to go with her, but because of segregation Eleanor wasn't allowed to stay in a black hotel.

In Montgomery, Alabama the KKK heard there was a person of color performing in the theater. During rehearsal they marched down the aisle in their white robes and on to the stage. They asked each group of girls if they knew which one was a negress; no one would answer, even in her group. That night Raven danced in performance. When the season was over they didn't fire her but suggested that she had gone as far as she could in the company. Raven was tired after six years of one-night stands, and she took this as a sign that it was time to leave.

Getting another job as a dancer was very difficult, so Raven, who had always been a devout Catholic, joined a convent. After eight months her love for ballet and theater made her realize that the stage was where she wanted to be. Raven found that no other major ballet company would hire her, even though she was willing to go back into the corps de ballet. In 1967 she went to Holland and became a soloist with the Dutch National Ballet.

Missing her homeland, she returned to the USA in 1974 and became a permanent member of the New York City Opera, performing character parts. Today she can still be seen in many performances.

Eliso Ignacio Silva, Caracas, VENEZUELA

Greetings . . . and may Thanks to Eliso for this delightful portrait . . first in the collection of mail after my return from the past 3 weeks of travel. I have lots of studio time planned in the days ahead . . mail will start it's out bound journey soon.

I'll be uploading images from the Moss Street Paint In event soon too . . will keep you posted.
Love and Laughter

Mailarta

Notes from the Western Edge

Greetings
Just a note to say that I'll be away for the next 3 weeks and will get back to posting all responses as soon as I get back. I look forward to seeing you in my mailbox . . .
All the best . .
Love and Laughter always!
Mailarta

Lorraine Kwan, Vancouver, BC, CANADA

Great shot Granny L!! Reflections of the world outside are so often distorted and closer than we might think . . . Love the post card . . .
Mama Mailarta sends Love and Gratitude and Dale says "Howdy" back at YA!

Denis Charmot (with Mickey Rourke), Marnaz, FRANCE

Denis at the Cannes Film Festival 2007
Thanks so much for the portrait . . .
see more from Denis at: DENIS CHARMOT

Gloria Federwitz, Marshfield, WI, USA

Thanks Gloria for this interesting portrait . .

If you have a web link you want posted . . . (that goes for anyone who is participating in this project) just send it along and I'll add the link to your posting.

See you in the mail!

M.

Dewi, Ontario, CANADA

"Neil Young"/"Man on King Street"
Pencil drawing
More from: DEWI
Thanks and see you in the mail!

Johannes J. Musolf, Lahn, GERMANY

Thanks Johannes . . you are now on the mailing list . . something will be on the way from Studio J shortly. Here's a link to see the art of JJ MUSOLF

Jenn O'Neill, (Jo) , Victoria, BC, CANADA

Jo Jo Jo Jo Jo . . Seems a pattern is emerging . . . 5 entries in a row with "JO" . . .Thanks Jenn . . the mystery is solved.

Joel Blair, Vancouver, BC, CANADA

Health sans Frites & TV . . on the way!!!

John Barrowman, London, ENGLAND

A delight to add this talented artist to the collection. Thank You, John!
John's official site: John Barrowman

Jose Manuel Figueiredo, Sintra, PORTUGAL

Thanks for the addition to this ever broadening visual work.
Best from Canada's West End.
M.

Rick Raxlin, Victoria, BC, CANADA

Thanks Rick . . Love the mail art story boards for MM3!!
Photo taken by: Bob Preston, colored and painted by Rick.