The assignment was to create the second stamp in a 12-year Lunar New Year series for the U.S. Postal Service, based on a template developed by the artist and art director/stamp designer: a three dimensional mask of the zodiac animal associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. This year the artist was tasked with creating a mask of an Ox.

The artist began with a series of thumbnail sketches. From there, she chose the color palette for the overall design and created a stylized digital rendering. Then she moved the process from the computer back to paper, creating monoprints in all the colors and textures needed for the mask. She cut out each print, scored the paper, and folded it to create the three-dimensional ox mask, which she painted by hand. The completed mask was photographed, making it possible to highlight all of the complex elements of this handmade object on a stamp. The ox mask in the stamp art incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were created with the style of Asian textiles in mind as well as purple flowers that represent the arrival of spring, which Lunar New Year also signals in Chinese culture. The star in the center of the ox’s head references the celestial themes of the Chinese zodiac. Orange foil was used to add emphasis to the crown atop the ox's head.

These stamps were just released in February 2021. So far they have received positive reviews for their beauty and creativity; we anticipate that these stamps will sell very well.