Introducing: Edwin P!

How did you get involved with EcoSpark?

I first encountered EcoSpark when I heard that there was a grade school class that would be documenting bugs at my school. A classmate and I immediately volunteered to help supervise these activities, being the biology fans that we are. It was during this time that I brought up these animal-themed ink stamps that I had been working on as part of an art assignment, and the rest is history!

Can you explain the steps of the stamp making process? How did you learn about it, and what is your favorite part?

Heron stamp, by Edwin P.

The week prior to my first experience with EcoSpark, I was tasked with creating a product for my design class. I thought that stamps were a highly underutilized piece of stationary, so I decided that had to be the subject of my assignment. Besides, I found their traditional media very charming. Once I settled on this idea, it was my teacher who provided me with the printing technique described earlier. I definitely plan on making more in the future because I love how stamps impose limitations of detail, forcing one to think about the core aspects of the animals being depicted and how it can creatively fit into a shape.

During the process of creating animal designs for EcoSpark, how did you tackle the balance between accuracy to the species and your artistic style?

Spongey Moth Caterpillar - Edwin P

Could you discuss how the elements of art, nature, and education intersect in the context of the creation of your stamps?

As my stamp designs stand on a middle ground between artsy and naturalistic, it makes sense that these aspects overlap. For instance, 2D design calls for shape language, where pointed shapes are viewed as energetic or hostile, and rounded ones are seen as slow and soft. In the case of the mosquito, its thorax and abdomen are almost bloated, making them seem delicate.

Mosquito - Edwin P

Edwin created a series of beautiful, detailed biodiversity stamps for EcoSpark, which we will use for our website and programs. Explore the full gallery below. Thank you Edwin for your time, effort and artistry!