Seriously Cool Animals

Illustrator Katie Kirk remembers getting the “wonderful, albeit terrifying” call from art director Antonio Alcalá about creating art for the Winter Woodland Animals stamps. But after the initial shock wore off, she realized she had a chance to be a part of something special.

“Our work as designers and illustrators tends to live for such a small amount of time in the world,” Kirk says. “It was exciting to create some that felt lasting — like being a small part of history.”

We talked with her about designing the stamps and her career. 

You have such a distinctive style. How did it evolve?

I think I’ve always had a pretty minimal and geometric style. The program that I work in really lends itself to those qualities. I like when things intersect and the shapes play together. I’ve learned to lean into that as I’ve progressed with my work. I hope it feels as satisfying to look at as it does to make!

Have you always been an animal person? When did you start drawing animals?

I would say I’ve always been an animal person and fascinated by the natural world. As the daughter of an art teacher and a science teacher, I grew up surrounded and inspired by animals, nature, and the seasons of central Wisconsin, where I lived. I remember getting those How To Draw… books from the library as a kid — eagerly trying to replicate all types of creatures. 

How did you choose the animals for the stamps?

I played around with many different animals, including a bear, a goose, and an adorable white ermine (which I had a hard time letting go of) — but, ultimately, I feel like the four animals we landed on would resonate the most with people. They have a quiet calm to them that I like. For me, it speaks to the magic of winter — stark, meditative, and often ethereal.