Timemail Window Display

Late this fall, our 20th Anniversary window was thoughtfully crafted by Clover Scout, a collective of three talented artist friends who enjoy collaborating on special projects. We’re so grateful for the beautiful work Ellen Surrey, Loris Lora, and Patrick Hruby created for us. Be sure to visit the Echo Park Time Travel Mart to see it before it’s gone!

As we sadly wrap up this segment of our 20th anniversary celebration, we had the opportunity to speak with Ellen and Loris about their process. Unfortunately, Patrick was unavailable for this conversation, but his contributions are just as jaw-dropping!

The window display is gorgeous! How did you come up with the concept, and what excited you about the project?

Ellen Surrey: After our initial meeting with 826LA, we had a brainstorming session to come up with ideas for a fun and interactive space. We loved the idea of taking something usually mundane and utilitarian—like a post office—and making it colorful and fun. That’s how we landed on the concept of Timemail. Plus, it gave us the perfect excuse to design stamps!

Loris Lora: We also wanted to celebrate institutions like the USPS, which have such rich histories. We believe everyone should have access to the services they provide. By creating Timemail, we hope it encourages visitors to send letters to their friends in real life!

Could you tell us more about how the three of you started working together?

Ellen Surrey: It happened somewhat by accident. We had signed up for a tabling event, and instead of each of us having a separate table, we thought it would be easier to combine our efforts. That’s when Clover Scout was born!

Loris Lora: We’re all graduates of Art Center College of Design—Ellen and I graduated in Spring 2014, and Patrick graduated a bit earlier. We share a lot of the same interests, influences, and design sensibilities, which is why it made sense for us to come together as a group for this project.

What is your collaboration process like? How do you decide who handles what?

Ellen Surrey: It’s definitely a group effort. We often start projects individually and then combine our best ideas. If someone is particularly skilled at a specific aspect of the project, they often take the lead on that part of the final piece.

Loris Lora: One thing I love is when we can meet in person and bounce ideas off each other. It’s amazing when one of us has a simple concept, and we all work together to develop it into something bigger and tangible.

You also created some beautifully designed, Riso-printed stamps. Can you tell us more about that?

Ellen Surrey: We had recently reached out to the wonderful people at The Portland Stamp Co., and when we came up with the Timemail idea, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a collaboration. We loved the idea of creating stamps that could be used in the past, present, and future, so we called them "Infinity stamps" instead of Forever stamps.

Loris Lora: We also wanted to create a special, limited-edition product for the Time Travel Mart. The stamps not only commemorate the front window display but also make a great gift for the shop’s visitors.

Now, let’s get into some deep questions! It’s fun to look forward to receiving mail, but with Timemail, we can also look back for it. What’s the most interesting mail you’ve recently received from other eras?

Ellen Surrey: While I mostly receive mail from the present, I occasionally get junk mail from the past—especially flyers for restaurants that no longer exist in my time. I’ll look them up, excited to try the food, only to find out they went out of business decades ago.

Loris Lora: Sometimes I receive mail addressed to people who used to live in our house. It makes me think about all the different families that might have lived here over the past 100 years and the various eras it’s witnessed!

Any regrettable mail?

Ellen Surrey: My brother lives in Lithuania, and one time I mailed him a care package full of goodies for him and his kids. It ended up in Lithuania but was returned to me a year later in Los Angeles! While I was upset the package didn’t make it to him, I was impressed that it made its way back to me at all. He eventually got the gifts when I saw him in person.

Loris Lora: Anything labeled “bills” is pretty regrettable. But seriously, I once ordered a vintage enamel item online, and when it arrived, it was damaged—parts of the enamel had broken off because it wasn’t securely packaged. I was so bummed!

What’s the most memorable thing you’ve either sent or received through our modern (or less modern) mail system?

Ellen Surrey: A USPS stamp I designed! In 2023, my stamp “Thinking of You” was released. I had been waiting four years for it to become available, and when it did, it was exciting to receive mail with my stamp on it. I’ve even saved a few envelopes with the stamp and postage marks.

Loris Lora: As a children’s book illustrator, one of my favorite things to receive in the mail are advance copies of books I’ve illustrated. There’s something so exciting and fulfilling about receiving something you’ve worked so hard on. Then, you hope that readers will enjoy it, too!

What are you excited about next? Feel free to promote upcoming projects!

Ellen Surrey: I’ve been working on a children’s book about scientists, set to release in 2026. It highlights scientists from history and includes experiments inspired by their work that readers can try at home. I’ve learned so much from the process and can’t wait to do some of the experiments myself!

Loris Lora: I’m looking forward to the release of my new picture book, Frida Kahlo’s Flower Crown, coming out on April 1st! There are many books about Frida, but what I love about this one is that it tells her life story through nature and flowers, celebrating her as one of Mexico’s most iconic female artists. Frida Kahlo’s Flower Crown even has a P.O. Box in the Timemail window—I hope she gets some mail!

From a vintage biography of Patrick Hruby: Los Angeles-based illustrator Patrick Hruby grew up in a log cabin in an Idaho forest. As a young boy, he dreamed of running away to join the circus and become a trapeze artist. Eventually, he studied math and physics before attending the renowned Art Center College of Design and pursuing a career as an illustrator. His fascination with the geometry of nature is central to his work. Inspired by artists like Charley Harper, Paul Rand, and Mary Blair, Patrick developed his own stunning, modern aesthetic. His clients include The New York Times Magazine, Playboy Jazz Festival, Varsity Pictures, and Brand New School.

Clover Scout will be tabling at Bob Baker Day on April 13th at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, where 826LA will also be present. Come say hello! In the meantime, don’t forget to stop by the Echo Park Time Travel Mart to check out the spectacular Timemail window display before it wraps up in the first week of April. Time’s ticking—don’t miss it!