The Phrantone
The Phrantone is a real-mail newsletter for fans of Frankie's arty creations. Featuring handwritten updates, stickers, games, inventions, and the like, the Phrantone was launched in June of 2022 and follows a quasi-monthly schedule. Each copy is hand made and assembled by Frankie.
Cost: US$60/yr. Issues so far: 11. Current subscribership: 64.
New subscriptions begin with the current issue. Back issues are sometimes available in the shop. Scroll down to update your address.
Phrantone 01-2022
The very first issue! This one included:
An introductory letter with the official release announcement for the softcover "Standard" edition of Frankie's art book.
An excerpt from the book, entitled "F & Ph."
An exclusive one-of-ten sticker. Various stickers were sent as the Phran Klub subscribership quickly grew beyond 10. Most were variations on the slogan, "Thank goodness for neurodiversity."
Phrantone 03-2022
Issue #3 included:
A letter about math beauty.
A gamma copy of "Do I Even Know You?!," the game Frankie's been working on since January with his friends Alan and Marc.
A hidden homage to Marcel Duchamp.
Phrantone 05-2022
Issue #5 included
A letter about microadjustments.
Frankie's signature (perhaps only?) personal recipe, which relies on the "Frankie Method" and features an official accompanying playlist.
A packet of Roasted Phegetable Seasoning.
Phrantone 08-2023
Issue #8 included
A letter about Abralind Art Week
An explanation of the "Jigfeel" concept
One second-generation prototype of a blind-accessible jigsaw puzzle, complete with an uncut copy to serve as a reference and a piece of thick blue padding to preserve its crispness in the mail.
Phrantone 10-2022
Issue #10 included:
a letter about perfectionism
one hand-stamped STFU journal
instructions for use of STFU journals
Phrantone 02-2022
Phrantone 02-2022 included:
A letter about words.
A beta copy of Frankie's brand new, yet-unpublished game, "This Is Not Precious: the Game."
A 1/1 redacted-response page torn from a vintage copy of The Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens.
Phrantone 04-2022
Inside issue #4:
A letter about the three elements of Frankie's creative practice: Consume, Process, and Generate.
Six movies Frankie wholeheartedly recommends.
A special treat to be opened after you watch Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Phrantone 06-2022
Issue #6 included
A letter about Rothko.
Instructions for re-upping your subscription and a special shop discount for O.G. (original gangsta) subscribers.
A commemorative Kool-Aid packet with a secret link to a sneak peek at Frankie's brand new TEDx talk about his artwork.
Phrantone 09-2023
Issue #9 included:
A letter about a dress I'm making
My "Failure Résumé"
A friendly nudge
Phrantone 11-2022
Issue #11 included:
A letter about artificial intelligence (AI)
A play-testing prototype of 'Spoetry, a brand new game concept that humorously celebrates the human advantage in poem-writing
Instructions for playing 'Spoetry, plus a link to play variations