The Liberate Your Art Postcard Swap has wrapped up for 2014, and the fourth year was just as much fun as the previous three. Just when I think I have everything in this swap figured out, there are new things for me to learn about. This year, it was the US Postal Service changing the postcard rate and not yet having stamps available, right before the swap deadline. It keeps things interesting! I didn’t quite meet my goal of 250 participants this year, but that means I’ll just have to keep the swap going another year. 😉
Here are the final stats for 2014:
209 participating artists
10 countries represented
Every year as I open the envelopes, see your art and read your notes, a message seems to emerge for me. This year’s message:
Your heart goes into what you create, so when it’s liberated, a little piece of who you are is sent into the world. Because of that, it can be incredibly hard to liberate your art. Exposing your self in this way is difficult, but it’s the first step on a journey that will take you to amazing places. You can’t help but grow and expand your heart as you send your art out into the world.
How do I know this? The first art I ever liberated to others was in the form of postcards. From that small beginning, I’ve continued to evolve the way I share my art, from postcards to cards to individual prints to collections to exhibitions. I have found my voice artistically and I have a confidence in myself around my art I could never have dreamed when I liberated those first few postcards into the world. That’s a very big reason why I run this swap, to encourage others to take this small step too.
Whether you are at the very start of your journey or somewhere further down the road, this postcard swap gives you the chance to go back to the basics. You liberated your art and your heart into the world, where it can do the greatest good. Thank you so much for your participation. I hope you’ll join in again next year!
Now, it’s time to HOP! I have a special bonus for the blog hop participants in the form of a giveaway drawing! At the end of the blog hop, by random drawing from all blog hop participants, I will be giving away:
- One copy of the book Good Mail Day: A Primer for Making Eye-Popping Postal Art
. I found this gorgeous book in the gift shop at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, and couldn’t resist.
- One 6×9″ fine art print, matted to 11×14″, of this year’s Blog Hop image, shown above. I love how this image came out, and thought the message could be inspiring on your wall. It’s already up on mine!
If you’d like to purchase your own 6×9″ fine art print of today’s image and help me defray the extra expenses I incur on behalf of the swap, I am making it available for purchase during the time of the blog hop. To order, click here if you are within the US and here if you are outside of the US. Postage is included in the purchase price. (Don’t worry, if you purchase the print and then win the giveaway, I’ll refund your money.)
Enough words from me… Let’s hop!
That’s a marathon effort for you Kat. Thanks for your hard work, enthusiasm, and inspiration. It’s been another fun swap.
Thank you thank you thank you, Kat!! It’s been great fun.
I have honestly enjoyed this swap more than any other – so fun, organized and efficient – and I learnt basic digi-art into the bargain! Thank you SO much for ALL your hard work, Kat – warm hugs from England x
So excited to travel around and see all the wonderful art! Thank you again, Kat, so much for creating this event and this encouraging community.
This is always a special way of connecting people and art. Thank you so much, Kat, for believing and making it happen all this time!
Another fun swap (even if I didn’t receive your postcard)! Thanks so much for all your work and another thank you to your helpers. Already looking forward to next year!
Another terrific swap! And I am very grateful that you have put your “he(art)” message out there. It truly is liberating to know that a tiny little postcard from the heart has touched many hearts along the journey to its final home. A great big MAHALO to you and your peeps! I’m still sending out postcards to everyone I know, local and afar! GREAT JOB, KAT! Aloha
Another awesome year Kat… Thanks… can’t wait for next year!
Thank you again!
This was my first year and am excited to do it again. Thanks for making this happen!
Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful event!
Thank YOU, Kat, for organizing this wonderful Artist Exchange once again. I know it’s a ton of work. I just want you to know how much your efforts are appreciated. You are making the world a more beautiful, artful, and sharing place. Thank You!
2nd year and having fun. Thanks so much.
Thank you so much Kat. This was my first year participating and I loved getting all the beautiful art in the mail.
Thanks, Kat, for another amazing swap! There’s been some beautiful art liberated this year! Looking for to 2015!
Beautiful message this year, Kat. I love it! Thank you for everything.
From one Kat to another, this is truly the most exciting time of my year! I love everything about it! Because of being involved for three swaps now, I’ve learned about the wonderful resource of Moo.com (you should get a commission!) and others. But most of all, I’ve made some friends here that I know I will remain in contact with for the rest of my life. That is no small gift, my friend! Thank you for all that you do, Kat
Kat
Kat, I can not thank you enough for all the love and heart you put into this experience for each of us. This experience has changed how I look at myself and pushed me to take chances.
Thank you so much for that comment, Cathy. Changing how you view yourself and encouraging you to take chances is EXACTLY what I’m hoping for out of the swap. It is so good to know that happened, for at least one person this year!!
Hi Kat,
Thanks you dearly for bringing an incredible community of creative minds together and all that you do to make this swap possible!
cheers!
Juana
Thanks so much for hosting Kat – and for including one of your cards! If I keep participating, I’ll end up with quite the collection!
Thanks so much for hosting this Kat. You’re my first stop on the blog hop. What fun!
Dear Kat,
It is true – for whatever a (wo)man sows, that (s)he will also reap. Your life will be filled with an abundance of happiness, joy, and friendship. You have 200+ talented creatives thinking of you. They are grateful, exuberant, and inspired! Thank YOU Kat, for spreading the seeds of JOY!
Thank you again, Kat, for bringing us all together and encouraging us to share our art work! You are an art facilitator for the world! (-:
Kat, it has been a marathon effort for you this year. Thanks for liberating so much fabulous art …off to destinations all over the globe. Loved the whole thing, as always. Will have to work on some more images for next year.
Thanks Kat…I am really enjoying the blog hop and seeing all the cards!
Kat- Thank you!
I’m flattered that my card is smack in the middle of your print.
I owe you so much for getting me back into postal art and art in general.
Have a peaceful year and we’ll be seeing you next year.
deb
Your hearts were the perfect centerpiece, I thought. Thank you for sending the extra for me to keep!
Thank you so much Kat! So much fun again this year. Looking forward to the next one!
So affirming to participate once again in your swap! Thank you for your commitment to supporting this community of artists in so many ways. xoxo