This was my birthday greeting from Sam in early April - it was so much fun, I am including a video.
I posted another envelope from Sam on April 29th and asked her a question - and when I did not hear from her, I thought, "That's strange." She always signs up for the exchange the day before I post the sign- up. But, I did not hear from her on Thursday or Friday. You know where this is going.
Yesterday, after asking one of the exchangers if she had heard from Sam, we learned that Sam died on April 20th. Here is the link to her obituary. I'm sure her family would appreciate mail. Many of you have her address from the exchange lists. She had been living with her dad.
There are several envelopes by Sam that will be popping up in the coming months and there is more to say about Sam.
We will miss her.
Sam's obituary
This envelope was scheduled to pop up later this month. I rescheduled it for today - but left the original title - because it reminded me of a celebration of life.
What happened? Do you know and could you please share? (was it the virus) This is always my first thought when I don't hear from someone, be it an exchanger or friend. thank you
ReplyDeleteNo it was not the virus. I will go back through some emails from Sam and sharing information that she asked me to share on the blog - she knew she had a terminal illness and the exchange had been a very bright spot for her over the past year. It wasn't cancer either -- I'll find the name and post.
DeleteHere is what she had posted on IUOMA
ReplyDeleteWhy I am involved in Mail-Art:
just like frida kahlo, i also make art from my bed.....
i am completely bedridden w/very severe ME/CFS, a chronic, complex, wholly disabling, completely life altering systemic, misunderstood neuroimmune disease. i can't speak, sit up, read, tolerate any sound, visitors or sun light. i run on only wisps of fumes (hence my need 2 use abbreviations). i am 2 weak 2 lift a metal fork without becoming winded. i've not left my bed for over 3 yrs.
i've always been creative but mainly in 3D. now this is the only thing i am able 2 do. besides giving me an incredible sense of purpose, it keeps me sane & its the most fun i have being tethered 2 a bed in a darkened room, completely isolated from the world outside my 4 walls. i create mostly envelope art & some postcards.
my work is varied & ever evolving. i do illustrations. sometimes collage, a little watercolor or just ur name as a focal point & sometimes i use rubber stamps. i enjoy using the postage stamps 4 inspiration. i love abstraction & children’s art.
whatever i create depends on my energy level @ the time. it's a very slow process. despite being completely cut off from the world outside my bedroom, there is no shortage of inspiration. i am a creative machine. the ideas never stop flowing, however i am limited as to what i can physically execute which includes my energy level & the tools i use in order to create. i am unable to sit up or lift the weight of my arms so i do this on a clip board, under the light of a headlamp while laying on my left side, propped up on my elbow. my “studio” is a 10 x 10 inch space on my bed; the same space I eat, sleep & cuddle with my cat on, b/c i'm unable 2 physically write more than just a name & mailing address, u will rarely get a quick note inside. otherwise, i send envelopes that r either empty, filled w/ephemera or a little watercolor.
2 reasons y envelopes appeal 2 me:
the idea of turning something, plain & otherwise ordinary in2 something extraordinary is how i’ve lived my life; it just excites me 2 no end. & lets face it, envelopes r pretty plain & ordinary.
unlike a postcard which may only b seen by the PO on the addressed side, w/out the art, i surmise seeing envelope art adds some variety 2 the otherwise repetitive, plain, boring envelope processing day. hopefully it brings smiles 2 their postal worker faces.
but here is the most liberating & imperceptible part of being able to send mail art to people all over the world: it has allowed a piece of me 2 b seen. 2 b able 2 travel outside the confines of the bed which i am tethered 2; 2 feel the breeze, c all the colors & creatures of mother earth, 2 feel the sun kiss my skin...this is an experience that would otherwise b absolutely impossible in all of my encompassing debility.
i ty 4 taking the time 2 read this
My Mail-Adress (snail and/or E-mail)
iv’e been given over 30 nicknames thru the years, so 4 my mailing address, i invite u all 2 b creative with my name. here r some more recent ones. take ur pick or come up with w/ur own! lets have some fun!
Supernova Sam
Otherworldly
Samsation
Priceless
Sha-sam!
Samurai
(or just plain old boring Sam Price)
Here is a link to her IUOMA page
ReplyDeletehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/SamanthaPrice
thank you so much. Wow. We never know... Wish I had known about this sooner, as I would have tried to inundate her with envelopes. I was always jealous of her handwriting/printing and it was fun to get her creations in the mail. I'll try looking through my stash to share, but I'm sure they're the same as what she sent you. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to share. Sometimes she did one design for all five people but other times, depending on stamps, etc - she came up with different designs. It would be lovely to see more of her work.
DeleteWow what an inspiring person, gives me so much hope and inspiration
ReplyDeleteSo young and such a creative soul.....personal envelopes, written/types mail and mail art in general is and always will be a bright spot in the recipients heart and day. And when it's out of the blue it's even more special...... I know Sam will be creating beautiful cloud scapes for us all to gaze upon.....<3
ReplyDeleteI never had a chance to exchange with her but I'm an on again off again exchange here but love every envelope I receive!
Thanks for the information, Jean. So sad to hear of Sam's passing. I was always amazed at what she created given her restricted artistic work space.
ReplyDeleteI love that you showed this celebration piece from her - I think she would have loved this as a tribute to her great artistic spirit.