Kyra Westwind

05/30/2026

05/30/2026

‘It is not that we have a short time to kyrawestwind.com/snailmail live, but that we waste a lot of it.’

I have spent the past 24 hours (nearly uninterrupted) trying to sort out issues with my old phone and the phone that was sent to replace it ( ultimately one issue: neither of them works) The setup that was supposed to take an hour is taking days, meanwhile my art business has all but ground to a halt because all aspects of it depend, to one degree or another, on these hunks of junk. There is this miscommunication that tech is a time saver, rather than a time suck, and an equally erroneous wishful thinking that upgrades and updates will happen seamlessly, in the blink of an eye, rather causing slowdowns that can derail our routines for days. In my experience this is an inevitable component of technology; and I, for one, am sick of it.

One of the many motivations for starting me art subscription/ snail mail club was to escape the screens and algorithms and other trappings of technology and forge real connections, and a sense of community, with my audience. Ironically, there really no was around using technology to promote it and sign up for it. But once we get past that step, we can forge connections that matter, without commercial interruptions or rolling blackouts. Find out more at Kyrawestwind.com/snailmail

05/19/2026

Someone ordered art from me today. If you have ever imagined how happy it makes an artist to receive a request for their work, to have the value of their work validated, let me tell you: you can not imagine the half of it, and it never, ever gets old!
kyrawestwind.com

05/15/2026

Heading into weekend vibes a little early this time around: I have a life-long friend visiting from out of town, and will be putting all else on hold while we hang out for three days.

05/14/2026

Watercolor postcard, inspired by a walk in Fern Ridge Lake. I’m thinking of including this one in the June snail mail mailing, what do you think?

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

Join me Sunday June 14 at Oakshire Commons, we’ll be making felt flower crowns, just in time for Renaissance Festival season. Enjoy a craft brew in this beginner-friendly workshop, and go home with your own handcrafted crown. $45. Details on website.

05/09/2026

Everything about art mail and snail mail clubs utterly delights me, and I am looking forward to sending out the inaugural mailing of The Paper Trail Snail Mail club in June!

My hope it that it will allow us to engage more authentically, without all the digital "noise" and trolls on the internet. Did I ever tell you about the time I got 86ed from a local bar after "Liking" a post that did not align with someone's perspective on Jonny Depp? No, because, in addition to being a whole "thing", it still impacts how I interact online. There be dragons!

Lets spend a little time offline: I'll send you a tiny limited edition or original art, along with a hand written note about whats been going on in the studio and my musings about creativity, community and connection. There will also be prompts, quotes, and/or ephemera to inspire you to create. Im think it will be fun for both of us (but maybe don't mention Jonny Depp, just in case)!

05/07/2026

Enough already, or, in the words of the great philosopher Shawn Colvin: “Time for a few small repairs”

I have been increasingly annoyed with several aspects of life as a professional artist, and it’s finally time to change things.

I was “analog” before there was an alternative (yes, there was a time before the internet) and trying to work with opaque algorithms

Tech bros keep insisting that artists must “engage their audience” (by which they mean post 7 times a day to every platform) andhave a mailing list by which they mean digital online direct marketing) I cant offer meaningful and engaging “content” 7 times a day, 360 days a year, no one can.

I love story telling, but I find I am spending more and more time in front of screens, trying to to engage my audience, and ever less time actually making art or having meaningful interactions with anyone. I adore my audience but I abhor the screens, and I think I have an answer: a snail mail club: The Paper Trail snail mail club.

It will include a letter with news from the studio, screen-free behind the scenes glimpses of whats happening and sneak peeks of whats to come,

There will also be a mini art kit, because, as an ‘Analog Influencer’ I want tp encourage you to create, touch grass and talk to trees. I’m even handcrafting the envelope the subscription comes in, so you can “deconstructed” it into two pieces of paper to use for artwork, journals, etc.

It will also include tiny pieces of original art, bookmark, and other tokens of my affection. By it’s very nature it will push me to make more art, give me more time to experiment an play in the studio, and you will be along for that ride. It will also foster real connection with you, and offer something of value to people who care about my art and art process.
Signup info for The Paper Trail will be up this weekend. I’m limiting membership to keep it fun and personal. Carpe Diem!

05/04/2026

I am beyond thrilled to announce that I am starting the Paper Trail snail mail club! This monthly subscription will include tiny prints, book marks and ATCs created by me, as well as a curated collection of collage/junk journaling supplies and a print to spake your creativity; along with a my musings on life, art and vulnerability. A few times a there will be extra surprises tucked in to delight you ~and June is one such month! Part art club, part analog substack, part care package for the soul; all wrapped up in a tactile, handcrafted package delivered to your door.

Details will be on the website shortly, Carpe Diem!