Owl Stamps – A Message of Wisdom in a Difficult Spring
In early 2020, PostNL released the first set of a four-part seasonal stamp series based on my illustrations. The spring edition featured three owl stamps, each paired with a matching greeting card. Available across the Netherlands in stores and online, the set was even offered as a thank-you gift for online orders over 15 euros.
The stamps featured three different owl species: the barn owl (one of my personal favorites), the little owl, and the snowy owl – each illustrated in soft watercolor tones that highlight their unique character. This diversity made the set appealing not just to stamp collectors, but also to owl enthusiasts and nature lovers. These stamps quickly became more than just a design project. As COVID-19 changed daily life, people began sending more handwritten cards to loved ones. The owl stamps sold out within a month – even before I could order a set myself. Thankfully, I received a few designer copies, and my partner Willem managed to get a set online.
Willem sent one of the owl cards to a friend living in a region heavily affected by the virus. He chose the 'owl of wisdom' card, with a personal message wishing strength and good health. The next day, Willem's friend messaged, saying the card had arrived just in time. He was suffering severely from COVID-19 and was barely able to send the reply, but said the card lifted his spirit in a moment of real need. What made it more remarkable: the other two cards Willem sent on the same day arrived over a week later due to postal delays. Somehow, the card meant for this particular friend had traveled faster than expected – and arrived precisely when it was needed most. Fortunately, Willem’s friend made a full recovery.
These small, serendipitous moments remind me that art can take on a life of its own – quietly finding its way into people’s lives in meaningful, sometimes miraculous ways.
