Watercolor Dreams: A Conversation with Notdotsusama

Artist Spotlight: Notdotsusama

At Lettre, every stamp tells a story. Behind each tiny piece of artwork is an artist bringing their own perspective, inspirations, and creative journey to our community of letter writers.

For this Artist Spotlight, we sat down with Notdotsusama to explore the experiences, influences, and emotions that shape their work. From childhood memories of painting with family to finding inspiration in books, films, and everyday feelings, they share how art has become a way to express themselves, connect with others, and preserve moments that might otherwise be difficult to put into words.

Artistic Journey

Can You Tell Us A Bit About Your Artistic Journey? How Did You Get Started As An Artist?

Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have these very old and fond memories of lying on the floor, painting with my cousins. I think I fell in love with art at a very young age, partly because of the books I inherited from my brother. They were beautifully illustrated books by Raduga Publishers, and I would spend hours looking through them. Art became my coping mechanism and love language over time and it has saved me in every way possible, over and over again.

What Inspired You To Collaborate With Lettre To Design Stamps?

I am a huge fan of nostalgia and melancholia, so it was almost a given that I would be absolutely fascinated by Lettre. The whole thing feels like such a sweet treat to me, and I’m genuinely glad that I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with them.

How Does Your Personal Artistic Style Influence The Stamp Designs You Create?

I feel most comfortable painting human figures, as I find them the easiest way to express emotions and feelings. I also love combining different mediums, and I think the stamps reflect that layered approach to my work.

Creative Process

How Do You Balance Creativity And Functionality When Designing Stamps For Users?

For me, the stamps were primarily an artistic expression. I wanted each piece to evoke a feeling that people could recognize and hopefully connect with when they looked at or used the stamps. At the same time, I was trying to understand the technicalities and basic conventions of stamp design to make sure the artworks worked within the format.

Do You Have A Favorite Tool Or Medium (Traditional Or Digital) That You Use When Creating Stamp Designs?

Experimenting with different mediums has always been a big part of how I make art. I love layering different techniques because it makes the work more visually interesting and gives it a tactile-esque quality.

How Do You Ensure That Your Stamps Resonate With A Global Audience Using The App?

I think the emotions behind my work are what make it relatable beyond a specific place or culture. I often draw from feelings and little moments that many of us experience, such as nostalgia, longing, loneliness, and joy. Even though I try to capture my own experiences, I like to believe that a wider audience can relate to them as well.

Inspiration and Themes

Where Do You Draw Inspiration For Your Stamp Designs? Are There Particular Cultures, Themes, Or Stories That Influence Your Work?

Honestly, I draw inspiration from just about everything. A lot of it comes from observing other artists’ work. Seeing good art makes me want to go and make more art myself. Films, series, and books are a huge source of inspiration for me.

What Message Or Feeling Do You Hope Users Take Away When They Use Your Stamps In Their Letters?

I hope people find something in my stamps that they want to express but perhaps don't have the words for. I’d love for them to feel like each stamp was made for the moment they’re writing about.

Are There Any Recurring Motifs Or Symbols In Your Work? If So, Why Are They Significant To You?

I find myself drawn to little elements of nature, whether it's a bird sitting on someone's shoulder, plants growing behind them, or a flower tucked into their hair. I think part of it comes from my own longing to be around nature, and incorporating these little details into my drawings feels like a way of being close to it.

Stamps from Notdotsusama’s first set, available at the Lettre Post Office!

Collaboration with Lettre

How Has Working With Lettre Influenced Your Artistic Perspective Or Process?

Working with Lettre has been an interesting experience because it has allowed me to connect with people through my art in a way I never thought was possible. I usually create things based on my own thoughts and feelings, but knowing that my work can find a place in someone’s most intimate conversations and moments is something I find really special.

What Excites You Most About The Idea Of Digital Stamps As A Medium For Expression?

Digital stamps are such a fun medium for expression. Someone can pick one based on their mood or what they want to convey, and there’s something exciting about the idea of stamps as collectibles, too. It’s almost like having a little collection of different ways to express yourself.

On Creativity and the Future

How Do You See Digital Platforms Like Lettre Transforming The Way Artists Connect With Audiences?

One of the most interesting things about platforms like Lettre is that people get to interact with art in their own way. They can find a stamp they connect with and make it part of their own communication. I find that really exciting because it gives the artwork a life beyond the artist’s original intention. It’s intriguing to think about how people might use the same stamp in ways the artist may never have imagined.

Are There Any Other Creative Projects You’re Currently Working On Or Dreaming About?

Yes, right now I’m working on "Beyond the Balcony," a campaign we launched to explore Dhaka’s urban life through the stories and spaces of our balconies. We’re hoping to collect little glimpses of how people experience these spaces and what they wish they could be. A group of architects will bring these stories to life through illustrations.

If You Could Design A Stamp That Represents Your Life Or Personality, What Would It Look Like?

I imagine it would be a ten-foot-long doodle, capturing everything I love and everything I’m going through. I think it would be colorful and messy and filled with fish, sticky notes, random gibberish and thousands of motivational quotes from every series I’ve ever loved.