The Enveloping Series
Created by Karen Gross

This enveloping series (more on the words in a moment) commenced in 2023. I was
inspired by the decorated envelopes created by the artist Greg Winterhalter. Two of his
“used” and decorated envelopes hang in my home and others appear at Memorial
Sloan Kettering Hospital. His “used” real envelopes spoke and speak to me.

And so, I began an extended series of works using envelopes. Thinking about their front
and back and what is on their inside (good news, bad news, uplifting items and bills
among other things) motivated me to explore and expand the envelope so to speak
(pun intended).

I use actual envelopes, some “whole” and some I shred or rip or cut. I paint them, put
items on them, collage them, use alcohol inks and acrylic paints on them; and I use
epoxy and different glues to set them on their way. Each series has a color theme,
some brighter than others, some shinier than others, some more somber than others.

The series also is, critically important, a play off the word “envelop” and “enveloping,”
meaning to wrap around and embrace and surround. Ironically the term for the mailer is
envelope too. So, “enveloping” works for both meanings. The idea is literally to
embrace messages – the things put in and on envelopes (when sent and as received)
and to encourage us to wrap ourselves in the real world with a touch of color and
fanciful touches….making the ordinary extraordinary.

Consider the latter a life message: ordinary people live extraordinary lives. Envelopes
can help us see and realize that, especially when they are painted and displayed.