Collecting stamps

I grew up collecting stamps.
Collecting individual stamps in special stamp books and on the first day of issue was a popular hobby in the 1960s. Although it has disappeared in many places, there's still a stamp market on Nieuwezijdsvoorburgwal in Amsterdam every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.


the Speelvinck, Amsterdam

Just behind the Haarlemmerdijk lies the Speelvinck square. The small square had fallen into disrepair, and I was asked to come up with an idea for a mural. I thought it would be a good idea to use the entire square as a canvas. I conceived a mural that would extend across several buildings.
And so it happened. Tall bamboo was planted for the ground floor area.
This mural was illuminated at night to enhance the light on the square. It quickly became known locally as "the postage stamp."
probably because of the frivolous frame on the side. Over time, another mural was added, and "the stamp" became history.

I enjoy both small and large-scale work. I've designed several stamps featuring the figures in my murals. For example, I designed the Amsterdam frog, the orca, the cloud, and the dog with the bone. Last year, I created a stamp of the Chicken with a dot, a polka-dotted caravan as an ode to nomads.

the Amsterdam frog, Ditch Street North Jordaan

For the 750th anniversary edition of Amsterdam, the AGA (Amsterdam Graphic Workshop) issued an open call to design an anniversary stamp. Over forty artists responded. My submission consists of a cardboard print in primary colors with a stamp on it. The stamp's typography is inspired by the typography of the Amsterdam School houses surrounding Het Schip Museum, where this exhibition is on display until January 25th in the beautiful post office. A limited edition of the stamps is available in the museum shop at Het Schip. A fantastic combination of artisanal letterpress and Amsterdam School architecture. Go see it!
Museum the Ship

Stamp market