Postcard Diaspora: Portland, OR 1971

Postcard mailed from Israel to Portland, OR, on 6/20/1971. Message: Dear Mom: I am sorry I ran into some difficulty as I got dehydrated and someone stole my travelers checks in Cairo. Please do not worry as I will explain it all to you when I arrive at home. I am very glad I took this trip as it has wet [sic] my appetite to travel to this part of the world again. This has indeed been a fast moving tour. Lyle. I'll mail this to the Portland address today.

USA Roadtrip 1970

Click to enlarge

 

 



Trashball 101512

1952 Chevy safety brochure

Kuhio Palms Hotel

1956 Paris Amex Receipt

1969 Greyhound bus journey

Found shopping lists

1970 Xmas, clockwise from left, Donnie O'Toole, Tuck (face hidden), Dean, Duffy, Helen, robot

1941 utilities

Bethesda, Maryland, 4:45 pm, 10/15/2012

Recent Paintings Updated

The entry has been updated with new work. Click here.

Trashball 090112: A Model Young Man, 1960

Found this photo among my Trashball stuff. Dated May 1960, no idea where it was taken or who it is. Nice shot, though.

Postcard Diaspora: Bristol, CT 1916

Postcard mailed from Athol, MA, to Bristol, CT, on 12/21/1916. Message: I hope you are well as we are. How do you like your machine? We have fine sleighing here, is there much snow down there? Lovingly, Ella. I'll mail this to Bristol address this weekend.

Response to 1974 Roanoke, Virginia Postcard Mailing

To see the original postcard diaspora entry, click here.

Dear Mr. Goodwin,

I'm writing in regard to a letter a neighbor received and gave to my cousin (who procrastinates!). The letter, 'POSTCARD DIASPORA', was written on April 19, 2011. It was just given to me by my cousin, who lives in Florida, but rents the house I grew up in so she can live in Virginia (where she also grew up) during the summer.

  The post card was addressed to 'Resident', 511 A---- Ave. SE, Roanoke, Va. 24014. This is the house next door to where I grew up (which is 515 A---- Ave. SE). The 'Resident' is not one to respond to mail like this so she gave it to my cousin. My cousin is just now getting it to me! I hope this makes sense!!! Anyway, I will mail the post card back to you but thought I would go ahead and email a response since it has taken so long for anyone to respond.

   Actually, the message just doesn't make sense to me, because Bent Mountain is within 10 miles of Roanoke (where we live) and 'she' is talking about getting fat off of fresh fried clams, fresh salmon and shrimp. Roanoke is not near the shore - you probably know where it is but if you don't, it is about 40 miles east of Blacksburg (Virginia Tech). The post card is from Coos Bay, Oregon - which, of course, would have seafood. But I am having a very hard time reading the card and a very hard time reading the date. It looks like 1974. I cannot remember when Mr. C------ died, but I guess it was before '74. It is signed 'The Baby' so I would think that is Sue Jo, the 'baby' of the family. So let me tell you about the family.

Postcard Diaspora: Chicago, IL 1959

Postcard mailed from Nogales, Mexico to Chicago, IL, in 1959, depicts a view of Avenida Obregon in Nogales, Mexico.

Message: Hi! Folks! I am enjoying myself do not have to look to see who is blowing or tooting auto horn. Gee I'm glad you are not here. Gee and I am really enjoying this weather 65 or 70.

Will mail this to the original address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Hammond, IN 1966

Postcard mailed from San Francisco to Hammond, Indiana, on October 10, 1966, depicts a street scene in SF's Chinatown.

Message: Hi all! Arrived OK. Went to China Town today. You can have it man. They sure go for fish. 1st nite we went to see Dick Gregory. Very good but what a dive place he was in The Hungry I. Wow! Head for Golden Gate tomorrow. See you. Irene.

Will mail this to original Hammond address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Patchogue, New York 1962

Postcard mailed to Patchogue from Amarillo, TX, on May 8, 1962. Depicts the Holiday Inn in Amarillo.

Message: Dearest Mother -, 200 miles from Roswell. Bought a seersucker suit dress at Weatherford, Okla. High 80s Low 90s today. Stopped early and all went in the swimming pool. The boys loved it. Very good riders. Will write soon. Love from all, Esther.

Will mail this to original Patchogue address tomorrow.

Recent Paintings

All are for sale unless otherwise noted. Email me at rastinirv[at]gmail.com to arrange purchase.

"Sedalia" 24x24" acrylic on canvas $700

"Kimball" 14x11" acrylic on canvas $275

"Tribune" 20x20" acrylic on canvas $600

"Stanton" 30x24" acrylic on canvas $650

"Prosser" 18 x 18" acrylic on canvas $475

"Argo Springs" 30 x 24" acrylic on canvas $650

"Curlew" 24 x 18" acrylic on canvas SOLD

"Ford" 16 x 12" acrylic on canvas SOLD

"Linville" 24 x 18" acrylic on canvas $475

"Lumpkin" 16 x 12" acrylic on canvas N/A

"Maploss" 20 x 16" acrylic on canvas SOLD

"Remsen" 14 x 11" acrylic on panel SOLD

"Guendale" 20 x 16" acrylic on canvas $275

Trashball 062612: Composition in Yellow with Blue Jumpsuit

Found this photo ages ago on the dump truck. The blue jumpsuit stands out not just because everything else is beery yellow (including the beer), but because it is awesome.

As is the gentleman wearing the jumpsuit. His look inspires confidence. Now there's a guy I'd want to repair my Magnavox, to pilot my Cessna, to tow my car, to dredge my pond, to captain my bowling-league team.

Trashball 062312: Ticket to Ride

Here's one among many old WMATA ticket booklets I came across at a Wheaton thrift store. Probably from the early 1970s, DC schoolchildren would proffer the booklet to the bus driver in the morning.

I now have about 100 of these fares, but I get the feeling they may no longer be legal tender.

Trashball 062112: Photo Booth Phollies

Earlier this week I was at a Rockville, MD, Goodwill and was looking at an old frame. I pulled out the matting and noticed this charming strip of photos wedged up under it, as if hidden.

It looks as though the presumptive Mom put the child down on the photo booth's stool, went to put the nickel or dime or whatever in the coin slot (maybe a whole quarter, actually), and then the damn thing started clicking away. Indeed, the third photo looks like her butt is just hitting the seat, and the fourth is a panicked attempt to pose properly.

At any rate, this is one of my favorite found photos. Where are they now, you can't help but wonder.

Trashball! The Machine Returns

Back by popular indifference! Thanks to Andy Shallal, a shiny new Trashball machine will shortly (this weekend, likely) be installed at one of its original locations, Busboys and Poets at 14th and V Streets, NW, in Washington, DC.

Still 25¢. Still loaded with trash, ephemera, old photos, junk, and surprises.

If you're not in DC, you can still buy Trashballs online here.

Old Trashball press here

UPDATE: Installed

Mystery Painting, or, Am I Crowd-Sourcing Yet?

If anybody out there knows who might have made this painting, please let me know. Email me at rastinirv [at} gmail.com.

I "rescued" this from a Washington, DC-area thrift store last week. It's 40 inches square, appears to be acrylic paint, and is on canvas. It is signed "CAMPOS" in red in the lower-right corner. It depicts a chocolate-covered cherry (aka cherry cordial) sliced in half and rather luridly dripping. No other clues: no date, no title, no paperwork.

It's a very accomplished piece regardless of whether one finds it a compelling work of art. I'd love to know more about it!

Response to 1949 Yorkshire, England Postcard

Original postcard entry here.

"Dear Christopher
Firstly, i would like to apologies for not getting back to you sooner on receiving the magical postcard you sent us.
We live at 30 V______ Road Huddersfield Yorkshire England.
When I first picked up your letter I was immediately intrigued, and this was before i opened it. I made myself a coffee and indulged myself with a cigarette to aid my contemplation of its contents. I knew of course that whoever had sent the letter did not know us by name, only that we where the current occupants to whom it had been addressed.
It is not uncommon to find 'current occupant' letters in our post box and they are normally disposed of without a further thought, but this one was different, not least so because it had clearly traveled a long distance. And yet even with the puzzlement of someone from the United States sending an unnamed letter i eventually prepared myself for the disappointment of discovering yet another flier intent on selling us something ( all be it with an admittedly ingenious method). My cynicism was happily blown out of the water when i discovered your wonderful gift and i cannot thank you enough for your thoughtful generosity, everyone we have shown it to since has been enthusiastically charmed .
Beyond this and probably the most incredible coincidence is that my youngest daughter is called Eden, the name of the sender of the postcard some 50 or so years ago from what i can make out, this all prompted a playful conversation that she might be some sort of time traveller.
Once again, thank you so much Christopher you have graced us with a sheer delight and we will treasure it and keep it safe in a frame.

With very best wishes
Stephen, Lisa, Taome and Eden H______. x
ps am I right in assuming that you are an artist (deduced from your e mail address), only that would be another great coincidence as i am an artist also."

Trashball 042311: Moth, Rah!

Look at this beautiful moth I found under the hood of my car today while I was checking my air filter.

Postcard Diaspora: Roanoke, Virginia 1974

Postcard mailed to Roanoke from Coos Bay, OR on 7/2/1974, depicts the Holiday Motel in Coos Bay. Message: Fishing & lagging comprise the economy. Scenery is beautiful -- roads are awful. Hundreds of miles up & down Bent Mountain - cattle crossings & all - rock slides. Will get fat as a bear - fried clams (fresh) fresh salmon, shrimp in butter. Need you with me. Love, The Baby. I'll mail this to Roanoke address tomorrow.