The designer of this year’s Christmas stamps is Minna Lehväslaiho, an illustrator and artist from Kauniainen. She brings to the stamps happy animal characters that have already been featured on her postcards.
The domestic Christmas greeting stamp shows cheerful owls in a winter apple tree. The domestic no-value indicator stamp features energetic squirrels in a Christmas wreath, and on the international no-value indicator stamp, the owls have gone skiing and ice skating. The Christmas stamps will become available on Wednesday, November 8.
Minna Lehväslaiho says that her artistic career actually started when she was 10 years old. The family had moved to the United States, but Minna didn’t know any English yet.
“I realized that by drawing, I could tell people the things I wanted to tell them. Since I didn’t speak English yet, I started drawing,” she says.
Minna went on to work as a biochemist and a researcher, but 10 years ago she decided to become a full-time artist.
Grandmother’s owl and its friends do lots of activities
Since childhood, Minna has been interested in animals, especially owls.
“My grandmother had a stuffed owl, and I drew friends for it as a child. I still draw owls, and they have already made it to quite a few places. I’m happy that they can also show themselves on winter stamps.”
There is also a story behind the apple tree on the Christmas stamp.
“In front of our cottage’s porch, we have a winter apple tree with apples that are firmly attached to the branches. I look forward to the first snowfall in the fall and the beautiful accumulation of snow on the apples. Red apples are also associated with Christmas, so I decided to include winter apples on the stamp,” Minna says.
Minna has drawn a lot of animal characters, so there were plenty of animals to choose from for the Christmas stamps. The animals are drawn without digital help, as Minna does the illustrations with watercolors and a traditional fountain pen.
“We have six cats at home and I also sketched them for the stamps, but in the end we went with squirrels and a Christmas wreath for the domestic no-value indicator stamps. International no-value indicator stamps are also used for other winter greetings after Christmas, so we made the owls ski and skate on those stamps.”
Science and art play an important role
Minna has built a career as a biochemist in, for example, England, the United States, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
“I’m a protein biochemist. In our research groups, we have been looking for a replacement for antibiotics in nature. Science plays an important role in human well-being, but so does art.”
In 2014, Minna and her family moved to Finland and she decided to become a full-time artist.
“We only have one life, and if it’s possible to pursue your passion, you should go for it.”
Minna also saw the importance of art when teaching visual art to children and young people on the campus in Saudi Arabia.
“There were children from countries like Syria, where there was a war. I saw in concrete terms how much art helped them.”
More recently, she has also continued to do research, as she was asked to take up a researcher position at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Minna works remotely from Kauniainen.
A Christmas greeting is like a small present
Bringing joy to people is Minna’s most important goal for the illustrations. The joy is evident in her colorful illustrations, of which there are already hundreds on postcards.
“I want to draw happy subjects, because there are enough sad things in the world.”
Posti’s Design Manager Tommi Kantola confirms that this year’s Christmas stamps are meant to bring joy to people.
“We wanted Christmas stamps that make people smile. Minna’s colorful illustration style has exactly the atmosphere we were looking for,” says Kantola, who is responsible for the selection of the artists for the stamps and for providing guidance on the artistic work for the stamps at Posti.
Minna is a big Christmas person and likes to send various Christmas greetings.
“A Christmas card is like a small Christmas present, and I receive all cards with joy and love. The best Christmas greetings are those that show that the sender has thought about the recipient when choosing the Christmas card and writing the greeting. The loveliest Christmas messages are simple but personal.”
Spending Christmas with loved ones
After years abroad, Minna appreciates being able to spend Christmas in Finland.
“I like the darkness – it’s the only thing that can create a genuine Christmas atmosphere. I lived abroad with my children for 20 years. Now, I make the most of also being able to spend Christmas with my parents, sisters and all the children of my close relatives. Christmas is made up of family, Christmas food and all the scents, flavors and colors of Christmas. And, of course, Christmas carols.”
Minna also does postcrossing, in which people from around the world send each other postcards.
“The postcrosser’s Christmas season begins already in November so that the cards can reach the other side of the world by Christmas. Christmas cards and stamps may seem rather exotic to the recipient, so it is especially nice to receive feedback about them.”
Christmas Cheer, the no-value indicator stamp for Christmas greetings, will be issued as a 20-stamp sheet. The Christmas domestic and international no-value indicator stamps Christmas Wreath and Winter Joy will be issued as 10-stamp sheets. The Christmas stamps include a 2D code that makes it easier to sort postal items mechanically.
The Christmas stamp celebrates its 50th anniversary
Finnish Christmas stamps have been issued for 50 years. Finland’s first Christmas stamp from 1973 featured Santa Claus in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The stamp was designed by Pirkko Vahtero. Posti has issued Christmas stamps every year since 1973.
First day event at Helsinki Main Post Office on November 8, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The first day event for the November stamps will be held on Wednesday, November 8, at the Helsinki Main Post Office (Elielinaukio 2 F, 00100 Helsinki) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
New stamps, first day covers and other stamp products will be sold at the event, and visitors can get first day postmarks on their items. Minna Lehväslaiho will be present to sign her works from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Welcome!
Image material: Christmas stamps