Who would have thought that you could make such an intriguing and delightful painting from seven mailboxes? Driving around in the rural Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, we came across this group of vintage mailboxes on posts. Each of the mailboxes is made of metal and they all have a weathered, rustic appearance which suggests many years of use. Rural mailboxes are designed to be larger than traditional, urban mailboxes to accommodate larger packages and envelopes and they are also able to withstand the elements.
This particular group are a bit higgledy-piggledy. Three of them are all individual in style with different post styles but the other four are all of the same ilk and share a platform rather than individual posts – three are a rusty red and one black. They are all set just off the road in a grassy area inf front of a field that is surrounded by tall trees, which adds to the rustic charm of the setting.
Just think about what those mailboxes have had in them – good news, birthday cards, cheques, tax demands (so it’s not all good!), presents and small parcels as well as newspapers and magazines. And the people who come to take out the contents – perhaps by horse in the early days, and now by cars. Those mailboxes have seen a lot!
Or perhaps…. they could be the opening sequence of a film. The camera zooms in on one of the mailboxes, a key is inserted and deliberately turned…
Overall, the painting creates a nostalgic and timeless feel, evoking memories of a simpler time when rural living was the norm – which is just what Michael likes to portray in his work.
by
Michael John Hunt
Acrylic on canvas
26″ x 36″