Postcrossing Blog

A little while ago, Clarisse (aka Cstar9) managed to interview Kirsten Lubach, and we’re pleased to get the chance to share that now and introduce everyone to Kirsten’s work. Kirsten Lubach is an accomplished designer and engraver based in Vienna, Austria. As an engraver, she contributed to her first postage stamp in 2006. She has designed stamps for the Austrian national postal service annually since 2012.

Clarisse learned about Kirsten Lubach’s work via Sibylle (Robin67), so thank you to her as well for drawing this artist to our attention! So without further ado, over to Clarisse’s interview with Kirsten…

How did you begin engraving postage stamps?

I was trained by a master engraver who himself worked in the field of stamp creation. So, when I got the chance to work for the Austrian State Press, which was in charge of producing post stamps, I took it.

But actually, I had already tried to engrave my first post stamp, when I was an apprentice, as a Christmas gift for my father, who is a philatelist.

How does a stamp’s small size affect your artistic approach?

The size of a post stamp of course affects the approach: it shouldn’t be too detailed, as the lines would accumulate into a dark, unrecognizable “something.”

On the other hand, the post stamp has to show the topic or motif clearly. It transports a message and is an ambassador of its country: sometimes not an easy task!

When you have chosen a subject, what does research look like for you?

Research is of utmost importance for me.

For the subject of the sea, I visited the sea and coast, made drawings, sketches, and photos, did research in Natural Historic Museums, aquariums, in books and on the internet.

I love researching not only because of the topic but also because of meeting interesting people and getting to know stories and anecdotes related to the topic.

Several times a year, you host a Philately Day at your studio. Where did that idea originate, and what do you enjoy about it?

Philately Day was actually started by the Austrian Post itself. They visited my workshop and were so delighted about the location that they asked me if I would open the workshop for Philately Day.

In 2024, the event will be held four times a year (more info here). The Austrian Post puts up a little stand in my workshop and sells their products.

Additionally, I invented for this event special post stamps and specially designed and engraved copper print cards for sale.

I like Philately Day a lot. People drop by for a visit, talk about philately and other things, have a look at the workshop – it’s like a little party of friends coming over. When I decided to give Philately Day a break after the first two years, everybody was so sad that I had to change my mind…

What is your personal relationship to postal mail?

Postal mail is great! When I was young, I had several pen-friends and it was great writing and receiving mail. Unfortunately, it diminished over the years, so I was really delighted to hear of the Postcrossing community!

Postal mail is something special as it endures over time. It shows somebody’s care in choosing a nice card or paper and the right words, with nice handwriting and a beautiful post stamp on top, and then – finally – carrying it to a postbox nearby. That is much more work than sending a short notice by email or other digital messengers.

Post mail has a soul! And papers and cards are such great stuff to work with.

What is a hobby you enjoy when you’re not making art?

I like hiking, yoga, watching birds, and playing the double bass when I need a change.

How does a sense of place (being in Vienna/Austria) inform your artwork?

Austria is a great country to live in. Vienna is a city with a lot of different aspects: the Natural History Museum is one of the top-ranking museums and perfect for research and detailed motifs. I have been drawing there since 2000.

On the other hand, you find great ornamental art on houses in Vienna from imperial times. That’s a perfect surrounding for an engraver, as engraving has a lot to do with ornaments.

And last, it’s only an hour drive into nature: lakes, mountains, or whatever I need.

Can you share with us a decision you’ve made in your artistic career that has required courage, or a trust in the unknown?

Oh, yes!

In 2021, I got a phone call from a colleague who wanted to retire. He asked me if I would take over his machines and his clients. Immediately I said “yes!” without thinking – because I knew, if I wouldn’t do it, his great work and workshop would disappear, because there was no other engraver left.

After I had made this decision, it became clear that it wasn’t so easy: I needed a new, bigger workshop, and the big machines had to be moved by special movers. It was a completely new start for me, with all the typical bureaucracy involved.

In the beginning, I was unsure if it would turn out nicely, but it did. And nowadays I am already known as “the engraver from the Ungargasse.”

What is next for you as an artist/engraver?

Good question. Last autumn I started teaching engraving at a vocational school for goldsmiths, so that´s a step into a future direction. I think it would be nice to educate an engraver apprentice for the future, but for several reasons, that is not an easy task. So, this is a project for the next 15 years.

As an artist: there are some post stamps waiting for me, and I would love to publish my children’s book this year. We’ll see. The days are – as always – too short!

Thank you as always to Clarisse for arranging and conducting this interview, and to Kirsten for being kind enough to share her answers and some of the images used to illustrate the post! If you’re curious to learn more, you can check out Kirsten’s website, check out her work in this gallery… and if you read German, there’s also more info in an article here.

And now, for a very special giveaway! Robin67 has kindly offered to send 3 viewcards from Wien/Vienna, each franked with Kirsten Lubach’s latest stamp featuring the rare white Baroque donkey!

For a chance to receive one, leave a comment below and tell us about a stamp from your country that you’ve used recently. The giveaway will be open for one week, after which we’ll randomly pick 3 winners and contact them by email. Good luck!