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a8 local
Wednesday 30 March 2022

Post Aruba emits its first stamp series for 2022 ‘Orchids’

Currently she sells her art at weekly
events at three hotels. You can fol-
low her for regular updates on her
Facebook page Nati's Painting Pas-
sion (https://www.facebook.com/
Nati7778) or her website https://
www.natispaintingpassion.com all
other links (like Instagram and Tik-
Tok) are on her linktree https://link-
tr.ee/Natispaintingpassion.

For more information or commis-
ions you can email her at nati-
spaintingpassion@gmail.com or on
the "contact me" link on her web-
site!

On March 28, 2022, Post Aruba Orchids:
N.V. emits a stamp series named Spathoglottis (Big red fancy)
‘Orchids’. This stamp emission was Spathoglottis orchids usually grow winter all trace of the plant above Dendrobium Nobile, commonly
designed by Mrs. Natasha de la in moist places in forest, grassland ground is gone. In late March you known as the Noble dendrobium,
Fuente, and it consists of 4 stamps and swamps, usually in bright sun- can start watching for signs of new is a member of the family Orchi-
and is accompanied by a First Day shine. They are easy to cultivate growth. (picture reference Mrs. Ju- daceae. It has become a popu-
Cover envelope. and sought after for their colorful dith Ho of her own private orchid lar cultivated decorative house
flowers. They need sun for part of collection) plant, because it produces color-
Artist Biography the day, well drained loamy soil ful blooms in winter and spring, at
Natascha de la Fuente was born in and regular water. Not surprisingly, Vanda Tessellata Blue a time when little else is in flower.
Surinam, but grew up in Curacao ground orchids are found grow- Vanda Tessellata is an orchid spe- It is also one of the 50 fundamen-
and since 1978 she has been liv- ing in soil. Species of Spathoglot- cies found in e.g. the Eastern Hima- tal herbs used in traditional Chi-
ing in Aruba. Natascha, has always tis are found from eastern and layas, Nepal at elevations around nese medicine. It is one of the most
loved to draw, paint and be cre- south-eastern Asia to Australia and 1500 meters. Medium to large size widespread ornamental members
ative. She observes forms and col- some Pacific Islands. The flowering with a climbing stem carrying lin- of the orchid family and blooms
ors of different objects. In 2010 she stem emerges from a pseudobulb ear, narrow, leaves that bloom on are variegated in color, shading
took some basic drawing lessons, and bears medium-sized, colorful a long inflorescence carrying 5 to from white through pink and pur-
but she is pretty much self-taught. flowers from purple, white, yellow 12 fragrant, long-lived flowers oc- ple. It grows in lowland and moun-
and pink. The name Spathoglottis curring in the summer, fall and ear- tain forests, often on mossy lime-
She loves painting flora and fauna, is derived from the Greek Spathe, ly winter. stone rocks.
but she also loves to paint land- spathe and glotta, tongue a prob-
scapes, still life and portraits. She able reference to the broad la- They have aerial roots and long, It differs from other members of the
paints mostly with Acrylic on can- bellum midlobe. (my own picture sturdy and upright stems. The orchid family by the cluster of flow-
vas, but she also paints with wa- reference taken from the private leaves of these orchids vary de- ers - called - raceme - that appears
tercolors and recently she started orchid collection from Mrs. Sita pending on the habitat. Some spe- at its leaf axils. This orchid tolerates
painting with oils. She truly enjoys Gobardhan) cies, categorized as strap-leaved much light, but no direct sunlight.
painting and when she sees it Vanda orchids, have strap-like (my own picture reference taken
evolving, take shape and watches Cattleya Habenaria Rhodocheila leaves that are leathery and thick. from my own private orchid collec-
it come alive, it still amazes her. This beautiful species comes from Common names are checkered tion)
Southeast Asia. There are several Vanda, lattice- like patterned
In 2018 she got her National Artisan color forms, the most commonly flower vanda, which is a medium- This stamp series and First Day Cov-
Seal of Certification from the De- seen are yellow, red orange and to large-sized orchid species that er envelope are available at all
partment of Culture in Aruba and pink. Rhodocheila grows in an originated in India and recognized the Post Office locations, namely
immediately started selling her art area that experiences definite wet for its medicinal value. The fragrant in Oranjestad and San Nicolas,
at Cosecha Aruba. and dry seasons. and long-lasting flowers have yel- and also our online stamp shop on
low petals with brown and white www.postaruba.com/stampshop
She has participated in various art During the wet season the plant markings, yellow tesselated sepals
events like Aruba Art Fair and Aru- sprouts new shoots and grows rap- and bluish-purple lip. (my own pic- For more information on the “Or-
ba Sea Jazz Festival. idly so that it can flower and pro- ture reference taken from the pri- chids” stamps serie please visit the
In 2020 she got selected by Unoca duce seed before the dry season vate orchid collection taken from Facebook page: Aruba Stamps
Aruba with a presentation of an sets in. When the weather starts to Mrs. Sita Gobardhan) or Webpage: postaruba.com/
online exhibit of 17 paintings that dry out the leaves and stem start philatelic/q
she made. to die back and by late fall or early Dendrobium Nobile (light pink)