If you are looking for a way to add some whimsy and warmth to your valentines, letters, and cards, you might want to check out the new Love 2023 stamps from the U.S. Postal Service. These stamps feature two adorable animals, a kitten and a puppy, resting their paws on a big red heart. They are part of the popular Love series that has been issuing stamps with various themes and designs related to love since 1973.
The Design and Inspiration Behind the Love 2023 Stamps
The stamp art was painted with oils on wood panel by Chris Buzelli, a New York-based illustrator who has worked for publications such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and The New Yorker. He said he was inspired by his own pets, a cat named Olive and a dog named Rocco, who often cuddle together.
“I wanted to capture the feeling of love and friendship that pets can bring to our lives,” Buzelli said. “I also wanted to make something that would appeal to both kids and adults, something that would make people smile.”
Buzelli said he used a traditional painting technique with a modern twist. He painted the animals with oils on wood panel, then scanned and edited the images digitally to create the final stamps. He said he chose a wood panel because it gave the paintings a warm and natural texture.
The stamps were designed by Ethel Kessler, a Bethesda-based art director who has worked on more than 300 stamp projects for the U.S. Postal Service. She said she wanted to create stamps that would evoke feelings of love and playfulness.
“I think these stamps are perfect for any occasion that calls for expressing your feelings,” Kessler said. “They are also suitable for use throughout the year, not just on Valentine’s Day.”
The Benefits of Connecting with Pets
Cats and dogs are two of America’s favorite pets, and it is no surprise that connecting with them has benefits. They provide companionship and love; interacting with a cuddly kitten or a playful puppy can reduce loneliness and elevate mood. Some studies have even shown that pets might also be responsible for lower blood pressure, improved heart health, and a decrease in stress.
According to the American Pet Products Association, about 67% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 84.9 million homes. The most common pets are dogs (63.4 million households) and cats (42.7 million households).
Pets can also help people cope with challenging situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute in 2020 found that 72% of pet owners agreed that spending time with their pet helped them cope with stress and anxiety during the lockdown.
Here are some of the benefits of connecting with pets, according to various sources:
| Benefit | Source |
|---|---|
| Lower blood pressure | American Heart Association |
| Improved heart health | Harvard Medical School |
| Decreased stress | National Institutes of Health |
| Reduced loneliness | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Elevated mood | Mayo Clinic |
Other Love Stamps and How to Buy Them
The Love 2023 stamps are the latest addition to the Love series, which has been issuing stamps with various themes and designs related to love since 1973. Some of the previous Love stamps include:
- Love Flourishes (2018), featuring an elegant floral design by Anna Bond.
- Love Skywriting (2017), featuring the word “Love” written in white smoke against a blue sky by Louise Fili.
- Love Ribbons (2016), featuring four colorful ribbons forming a heart shape by Jessica Hische.
- Cut Paper Heart (2015), featuring a digital illustration of a heart made of cut paper by Q. Cassetti.
- Sealed with Love (2013), featuring a red wax seal with a heart-shaped impression by Louise Fili.
The Love 2023 stamps are being issued as Forever® stamps in panes of 20. These Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price. You can buy them online at store.usps.com , at your local post office or at The USPS Stamps.
TheUSPSstamps.com is a reliable website that offers discount Forever stamps. The website occasionally provides 50% OFF 1000 pcs cheap USPS Postage forever stamps for sale in bulk mystery boxes. It also has limited-time and limited-quantity 2023 forever stamps on sale, such as 2023 flag stamp 17% OFF, 2022 flag stamp 30% OFF, and global forever stamps 40% OFF.
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