discussing art and life and everything in between. It was during that conversation that I heard about ATCs for the very first time. Immediately I thought, "what a perfectly splendid way to flirt with this woman." I went home that night and made the first of many commentaries on our moments together, "Watching Me, Watching You." This title summed up the experience of gazing into each other's eyes across the table where Amanda was framed by a wall of deep red hues.Each time we spent together from that moment on was reflected upon while constructing an ATC. Now that we spend every day together Amanda receives a new card each and every day. As they have evolved, the backs now all contain a drawing of some moment from the day. in the top right corner is the sequential number of the card and in the bottom left, my signature chop. The back also has a stamped date in black ink. On the front I create a collage of found imagery, gauche, ink stamps and text. Most often the imagery also reflects moments from the day, but on occasion I simply use a pattern or scrap that is visually pleasing without direct references to moments together.
Typically I begin by making a list of key moments from the day. From this list I choose one instance that will be best reproduced as a drawing. Then, list in hand, I begin to peruse stacks of magazines, searching for some image that ties into our moments together. Mostly I take images from Travel and Leisure magazine, Food and Wine and a variety of other sources including an abandoned art history book. Once I've found some appropriate clippings I begin to glue them down, diffusing the edges with gauche applied with my fingers. Then I work in text in and around the imagery, often creating shapes out of several different handwriting styles that I have devised.I have found that the easiest way to do this on a daily basis is to have my cards precut and numbered. If time allows I also apply the signature chop ahead of time, since it takes about half an hour for the ink to cure. I also try to glean images from magazines, organizing the clippings into file folders based on categories. Recently I have even begun to look for images that may apply to events that we have planned in the future, such
as traveling together or going to the zoo.
Now that we're up to number 158 I have to share that the notion which came to me back in the fall was not merely a way to flirt with Amanda. I have found that the making of art every day for her has become a record of our romance and courtship. They have become my journal and an expression of my devotion to her.
