Japanese Postage Stamps

Japanese Postage Stamp with Pen and Ink

I was lucky to find a large collection of Japanese Postage stamps recently. A fascinating insight in to the country and customs. Works of art in their own right. I decided to incorporate them into my artwork.

A Variety of Japanese Postage Stamps

Working with pen and ink and also the new Derwent Metallic Watercolours it was interesting to see how they could be worked in to a design.

Japanese Postage Stamp Art

I used collage techniques with watercolour paints and ink pens.

Work in Progress

The most difficult bit was choosing which to use, I had 300 stamps which I am still working through. I have sorted them in to colours as this seemed to be the easiest way to separate them.

Art Work using Japanese Stamps

Just for fun I also collaged a bell jar

Collaged Bell Jar

Also made some patterns from the artwork

Japanese Stamp Fabric

Japanese Stamp Artwork

This work is currently on sale at Beck Steps Gallery in Grasmere http://www.beckstepsgallery.co.uk