The Art and Philosophy Behind My Abstract NFT Stamps
Liaksiej’s Bandarenka NFT Stamps: Where Abstract Art Meets the World of Philately, offering a unique fusion of digital creativity and traditional stamp collecting for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
An Introduction to This Article on NFT Collection
Hi everyone! I’m Liaksiej Bandarenka, an abstract artist and the creator of the NFT collection Liaksiej.Philately — a unique series of abstract postage stamps available on Rarible platform.
My NFT collection page on Rarible marketplace [September 2025]
In this article, I’ll share what my NFT collection is all about, how the idea came to me, and what led up to it. I’ll talk about the creative process behind building the collection, share the concept and vision for it, and discuss the goals I’ve set for this project.
Of course, I’ll try to anticipate some questions from potential buyers and critics of my abstract postage stamps and answer them.
First off, thanks so much for your attention!
Let’s get started!
Creating and collecting drafts of the future postage stamps
Looking back, my journey to this NFT collection really started in 2022 when I was exploring abstract art and playing around with colors and different combinations. At the time, I had no idea these experiments would eventually lead me to create a new art movement — Abstract Accentualism. I also didn’t realize that the simple, protective lining paper I used to catch stray paint drips during these experiments would become part of my creative process. That paper ended up being used to make stamps, which I later transformed into NFTs in the form of abstract postal stamps.
Playing around with paints [2022]
Check out my article on Abstract Accentualism [clickable image]!
I used lining paper to catch any stray paint drips
An abstract paper stamp crafted from protective lining papers, subsequently transformed into an NFT
When I’m painting, I just throw some regular A4 office paper underneath to catch any paint that splatters off the canvas or whatever I’m working on. It’s an easy way to keep the table or workspace clean. For instance, while working on paintings on the floor, I found this A4 paper to be an effective solution for protecting my carpet from paint stains.
Keeping my carpet safe from paint stains — protective lining paper works great!
Example how protective lining papers works
This meant that every time, I either had to put down new protective lining paper under the paintings or reuse A4 sheets that were already dirty. Over time, a bunch of papers piled up with all sorts of random color combinations, creating mysterious abstract shapes.
My photographs of protective lining papers with smashed color drips [a quick snap from my phone]
You’ll notice the drafts are full of bright colors — that’s because between 2022 and 2023, I was experimenting a lot with different colors and, more importantly, trying out various types of paints. These included fabric acrylics, regular artist acrylics, acrylic paints from cans, watercolors, and even some gouache in certain spots. The combination of colors and various types of paint ultimately influenced future stamp designs, resulting in a range of striking abstract compositions that I found truly impressive. But at that point, I had yet to determine how to utilize the protective lining papers or identify a specific creative idea to implement with them. I tried to present these papers in a way that made them feel less like rough drafts and more like finished works of art. For example, I created a large abstract collage utilizing my vibrant protective lining papers.
The procces of creating of an large abstract collage utilizing my vibrant protective lining papers
The process of making a large abstract collage
The abstract collage in a wooden frame with glass
The drafts, which I considered adequately filled with colors, were taken out of use. I marked them with my signature, along with the month and year, as well as the letter “Č” (to denote the Belarusian word “Čarnavik” (Draft), and placed them into reserve. Sometimes, I just included the year and skipped the month. It should be acknowledged that some drafts lacked sufficient paint, appearing almost white and failing to form engaging compositions for future stamps. This oversight can be attributed to the fact that, at the time, I had not yet conceived the idea of creating abstract postage stamps from these sheets. As a result, I did not see the need to continue filling the empty spaces on these white sheets with additional paint strokes.
The my signatures on a protective lining papers
An example of almost empty from paint drips protective lining papers [screenshot]
Still, most of the drafts were ready for my experiment and just waiting for their moment.
The creation of abstract postage stamps begins
Zig-zag scissors from a Soviet-era sewing machine
Soviet zig-zag scissors
Soviet zig-zag scissors
I own a Soviet-era sewing machine called “Chayka,” which translates to “Seagull” in English. Along with the machine came a pair of scissors featuring a unique zig-zag blade design. These scissors have intrigued me since childhood, as they added a creative touch to my school craft projects. These scissors have caught my interest again, so I decided to test them on my colored protective lining papers. However, it’s important to note that these scissors are not specifically designed for cutting paper; in my opinion, they were primarily created for fabric cutting. I have to say, the quality of these scissors is absolutely amazing! It’s so rare to find this kind of craftsmanship these days. Sadly, modern times have shifted toward making things cheap and low quality, built to last only a short time. I’m definitely not a fan of that mindset! I have a Swedish stapler that was actually made in Sweden! The high-quality materials and solid construction make it something that could easily be passed down and used for generations. It’s amazing how using well-made items like this can enrich your mindset, adding a sense of meaning and opening up a deeper understanding of what true value is.
Soviet sewing machine “CHAYKA”
My go-to Swedish stapler
Made in Sweden!)
You might be wondering, “Where is the information about the NFT collection? What about the roadmap?” Well, there won’t be a traditional roadmap here. Instead, this is a live text about the NFT collection, reflecting different goals, my personal journey, and philosophy.
Let’s keep going!
I initially began using my art stamps to personalize letters for my sweetheart
At that time, I had no intention or plan to create an NFT collection. However, a meaningful and creative idea soon emerged — to design my own artistic postage stamps. These stamps were meant to decorate the envelopes I used to send letters to my beloved girlfriend.
This is a creative process that continues to bring me immense satisfaction to this day.
An example of a decorated envelope using my abstract stamps
An example of a decorated envelope using my abstract stamps
An example of a decorated envelope using my abstract stamps
An example of a decorated envelope using my abstract stamps
An example of a decorated envelope using my abstract stamps
The concept of having my own stamps on envelopes inspired me to take the next step, ultimately resulting in the creation and launch of my NFT collection – Liaksiej.Philately
The concept of cutting all my drafts into randomly sized abstract stamps
After a successful experience decorating postal envelopes with my abstract stamps, I decided to refine the process by cutting all my drafts on A4 sheets. This allowed me to curate a collection of abstract stamps, carefully selecting the finest examples to feature in the NFT collection. Additionally, I began preparing some of the physical originals for potential future sale. The project commenced in May 2023, with the initial phase spanning a continuous two-month period.
Cutting out abstract stamps
An example of a finished abstract stamp
The process
Paper offcuts
What was the most significant mistake I made when cutting my stamps for my NFT collection?
I believe the primary mistake in creating the stamps was cutting many of them into very small sizes. This limited their usability in a collection due to the restricted abstract composition within the small stamp area and made it challenging to digitize them effectively to produce high-quality NFTs. In my view, this stamp is unlikely to appeal to collectors and has little potential for commercial success within an NFT collection.. However, if this is not the case and you are interested in purchasing these small abstract stamps, please let me know. Your feedback would provide the motivation to invest time in preparing these stamps for inclusion in my NFT collection. In the future, I’ve decided to cut new stamps in optimal sizes to avoid creating smaller copies. As for this initial attempt, I’ve come to view it more positively; without these early mistakes, the unique pieces now featured in my NFT collection wouldn’t exist. Ultimately, they represent the outcome of a creative process with an inherent element of unpredictability.
Here’s an example of a super tiny, abstract paper cut-out
What additional by-products were generated during the process of cutting postage stamps?
Zig-zag strips and microsquares are an inevitable result when cutting paper.
Tiny paper squares left over from cutting abstract stamps
Zig-zag strips after cutting paper for abstract stamps
Little paper squares and zig-zaggy strips
Gathering small paper squares and zigzag-cut strips into bags
Additionally, as a human and not a machine, the stamps may not be perfectly geometrically equal. I made an effort, but the outcome was not entirely perfect. However, I am now at peace with it and no longer concerned. The copies of my collection hold even greater value because they were crafted by my own hands, rather than relying on a computer program, randomizer, or similar tools.
I’ve kept the physical paper abstract stamps just as they are, and the NFT stamps in the collection will also keep the same imperfect hand-cut edges I made myself.
The process of selecting postage stamps for my NFT collection
Once all the drafts were cut into various copies of postage stamps, I began the process of sorting them to identify the best abstract designs for digitization into the Liaksiej.Philately NFT collection. This process involved extensive analysis of the images on the stamps and required numerous complex decisions to ensure the creation of a visually appealing and engaging collection.
Picking out the best abstract stamps for the NFT Collection
The process of identifying and selecting the most suitable abstract stamps for the NFT Collection
The process of identifying and selecting the most appropriate abstract stamps for the Liaksiej.Philately NFT Collection
A selection of the best abstract stamps
A selection of the best abstract stamps
The process of identifying and selecting the most appropriate abstract stamps for the Liaksiej.Philately NFT Collection
I needed to analyze some postage stamps using both a microscope and a magnifying glass.
Analyzing abstract stamp artwork with a magnifying glass
Next, I carefully packed the entire final collection of my stamps into individual bags, ensuring each stamp was stored separately. During this process, I also removed any stamps that did not align with the collection’s focus. Taking regular breaks proved essential in approaching each decision with a fresh perspective, ensuring thoughtful selection for each piece in the future NFT collection.
Here’s an example of an abstract stamp, featured as #5 in the Liaksiej.Philately NFT Collection
Selected abstract stamps are individually packaged
Categories of NFT Stamps and Their Authentic Physical Stamps
I established three primary categories for both the NFT stamps available on Rarible and the physical authentic stamps listed for sale on my website. These three categories reflect my perspective on beauty and artistic value. The first level represents the highest value, the second level corresponds to an average value, and the third level represents the most affordable. The ratings are determined by me, and as the creator of the collection, my subjective judgment naturally plays a role in this evaluation.
The NFT collection on Rarible is built on the Polygon Ecosystem [ETH]
- 1st Level [High] [45 POL for the NFT and $150 for an authentic physical stamp]
NFT Stamp #6
The authentic physical version of NFT Stamp #6
- 2nd Level [Middle] [30 POL for the NFT and $100 for an authentic physical stamp]
NFT Stamp #9
The authentic physical version of NFT Stamp #9
- 3rd Level [Low] [20 POL for the NFT and $50 for an authentic physical stamp]
NFT Stamp #3
The authentic physical version of NFT Stamp #3
I do not intend to adjust the prices of the upcoming NFT and physical stamps in the future, either increasing or decreasing them. The only exception to this is:
In cases where for NFT collections, the minting commission will exceed my stated regular price for each NFT category. However, I am optimistic that Polygon will maintain low commission rates in the future, allowing me to keep the current pricing structure unchanged. [Royalties will consistently remain at 10%]
- Note
- “During the process of minting an NFT, I realized I was unaware that NFTs on the marketplace have a set sale period. Once this period expires, if the NFT remains unsold, it can only be relisted at the minimum price of other NFTs within the same collection. This is an important factor to consider when evaluating price changes. Alternatively, I may have misunderstood some aspects of the process. Regardless, this was my first experience with minting NFTs, and I am open about my shortcomings and the areas where I lack experience.”
I’ll only need to adjust the prices for physical stamps if the stamp happens to be larger than the standard frame size. If that’s the case, I’ll make sure to add a note about it.
The authentic physical version and its NFT version are two separate trading items. Purchasing one does not automatically entitle you to ownership of the other. To acquire both the NFT version and the physical stamp, each must be purchased independently.
The final set of the NFT collection is now complete and prepared for step-by-step releases
Right now, I’ve got a box of my chosen abstract stamps that I’m planning to gradually turn into NFTs. Some of them will be filtered out and won’t be included in the Liksiej.Philately NFT collection. The approximate number of packets in this box is – “??? – I didn’t count the stamps”. Just a heads-up, my authentic physical abstract postage stamp has images on both sides. This means there will be way more NFTs overall, but fewer physical stamps available for purchase. [I will select the better of the two sides of the authentic postage stamp. This version will be sold in a wooden frame and under glass.]
The final selection of NFT Abstract Stamps intended for the upcoming Liaksiej.Philately Collection
What about the stamps that didn’t end up in the NFT collection?
I kept them for myself to decorate my mailing envelopes and sign my drawings. Check out some examples below.
An example of a bag of unselected abstract paper stamps for the NFT Collection
This is an example of how I use unselected abstract paper stamps to mark and seal my abstract painting, “CAPITANEUS. ANTECESSORIS. NECROMANCER.”
This is an example of how I incorporate unselected abstract paper stamps to decorate the envelope for a birthday letter to my friend.
Concept:
As mentioned earlier, I would like to expand on this topic and provide further details. The NFT collection will be released on Rarible, while the authentic physical stamps will be available on my website, liaksiej.com. The quantity of NFT stamps will be significantly higher as I am digitizing them from a physical abstract postage stamp that features images on both the obverse and reverse sides. It may be that both the obverse and reverse have worthy abstract images that I digitize into an NFT postage stamp. There are also physical postage stamps where the abstract image is only suitable for tokenization into an NFT stamp on one side, rather than both sides. This is a particularity that is based entirely on my personal perspective and artistic preferences.
[an abstract postage stamp as an NFT + authentic physical version of the abstract stamp, presented in a frame]
The Authentic Physical Version of NFT Stamp #1
NFT Stamp #1
The backside of Authentic Physical Version of NFT Stamp #1 [is non tokenized for NFT Collection]
[+NFT located on the back of a authentic physical postage stamp – i.e. this is an image from the same stamp that is presented in the frame, only on the other side and not visible to the eye]
The Authentic Physical Version of NFT Stamp #13
NFT Stamp #13
NFT Stamp #14 is also tokenized for the NFT Collection and can be found on the reverse side of the authentic physical version of NFT Stamp #13
Framed Authentic Collectible Physical Postage Stamps
For the authentic abstract postage stamps in the Liaksiej.Philately collection, I use custom wooden frames for each piece. Each one is carefully framed and ready to hang or display however you like. Wooden frames provide everything you need, including a hook for hanging or a stand for tabletop or shelf display. Each frame features a protective glass cover, ensuring postage stamp is shielded from external elements. I hand-paint each frame with multiple layers of rich, black matte acrylic paint, giving it a refined finish.
Black velvet fabric backdrop
- Note
- “I acknowledge that the frames may already be painted by the manufacturer, depending on the availability of painted or unpainted options. However, I am currently concerned that these frames are no longer available in professional art stores, which could impact standardization. I remain hopeful that placing a custom order for a batch of frames will be possible, resolving this issue.”
The backdrop for the postage stamp is crafted from premium black velvet, offering an elegant presentation for each piece. The frame is manufactured in Belarus and is a certified, high-quality product crafted from natural, locally sourced materials.
As mentioned earlier, when a genuine abstract postage stamp is framed with both the obverse and reverse containing a tokenized NFT image from my collection, I select the version of the image that I personally find most aesthetically pleasing. Every webpage on my site showcasing a framed authentic abstract postage stamp will also include an image of the back of that postage stamp. Even if the image is not tokenized as an NFT for my Liaksiej.Philetely collection, the variations of the postage stamp image on the reverse will still be displayed. I believe it is important for the buyer to have a complete understanding of the authentic abstract postage stamp they intend to purchase.
The frame features a signature with the name of the postage stamp on the back, accompanied by my autograph and the author’s wax seal to certify its authenticity. Additionally, the frame clasps will be sealed with wax to ensure that it remains unopened and undisturbed since the time of sealing. A packed frame would only be opened if the postal service customs decide it’s absolutely necessary. However, I believe such a situation is unlikely to arise. In the event of any incidents that compromise the integrity of the wooden frame composition of the authentic abstract postage stamp, I will remain available to address and resolve such matters with you on an individual basis.
Sticker featuring the specifications of Abstract Stamp along with my signature
Sticker featuring the specifications of Abstract Stamp along with my signature
Waxed frame of the authentic physical stamp of the NFT stamp
Some of my abstract physical stamps use fluorescent inks in different colors, so they’ll light up under UV light, like a UV flashlight.
Abstract paper stamp #1 illuminated by UV light
Abstract paper stamp #13 illuminated by UV light
Abstract paper stamp #3 illuminated by UV light
Abstract paper stamp #2 illuminated by UV light
What do I want from my NFT collection Liaksiej.Philately?
[Here’s What I’m Dreaming Of]
“Classical paper postage stamps are more than just tiny pieces of history — they’re timeless treasures that connect us to the stories and creativity of generations past.”
I dream of collaborating with postal services around the world to create real paper postage stamps featuring my art. I believe classic postage stamps, a timeless piece of our material world, are at risk of fading away. I feel like classic paper postage stamps still mean a lot to us.
Postage stamps, created by people for people, serve as enduring reminders of personal milestones, historical events, and cultural treasures. They stand as tangible connections to reality, allowing us to hold a piece of history and derive human stories from them. Stamps tell us about the materials they are made of, the countries that issued them, and the individuals involved in their journey — from their creation and distribution to their cancellation by postal workers and delivery to recipients. They also carry the legacy of those who preserved them, enabling these small artifacts to be shared with others, continuing their story across generations.
I believe that preserving and respecting what we have achieved is a fundamental aspect of what makes us human. It stems from our unique ability to perceive the past, the future, and the present moment, and to recognize the interconnectedness of these temporal dimensions. While the past no longer exists as a material entity, it holds meaning for us, influences our present, and consequently shapes our future. In my view, a critical factor in this process is our ability to assign value. This works in accordance with our basic principles – by recognizing and valuing what is truly significant, we raise the level of our civilization to new heights. Conversely, when we place high value on what is unworthy, we regress and risk falling into a state of primitivism. While the concept of a paper postage stamp may appear outdated or less relevant in today’s digital age, it holds considerable aesthetic and historical significance. It is essential to ensure this tradition is maintained, preventing it from being forgotten or abandoned. That’s why I offer both abstract NFT stamps and authentic physical versions of them. Of course, I could destroy the physical versions to emphasize the uniqueness of the NFT, but I think it’s important to preserve both. However, I feel it is important not to deprive anyone of the opportunity to view the physical original of my abstract postage stamp in person. A stamp that wasn’t made in a virtual space or by a computer, but by a person for other people.
I’m also an advocate for new technologies, though I consider myself a conservative in many respects. To me, conservatism is fundamentally about safeguarding the timeless, essential, and most significant achievements of human history.
I understand that some may choose to criticize my work after reading this, arguing that my abstract NFT stamps and their physical counterparts may not be considered valuable or contribute meaningfully to the advancement of civilization. I partly agree with this and want to say that I take full responsibility for the possible success or failure of my collection, along with any consequences that come with it.
What is the purpose of this NFT collection?
Your support
Your support through your purchases allows me to focus on developing and refining my artistic style, which I have named “Abstract Accentualism.” It also helps me further expand this concept and work towards achieving global recognition of this style as a distinct movement in the art world. Funds from your purchases also helps me have more free time for creating new canvases with more better quality and of course with more numbers of my finished paintings.
I also perceive each NFT postage stamp as a share, by purchasing which you voluntarily finance my creativity and charity, while you can dispose of the purchased NFT as you see fit. This is in some sense a good alternative to donations, where you do not just donate money to me, but receive my artwork in return.
Gaining recognition as an artist
The aspiration to draw attention, expand the audience for one’s primary artistic focus, and be heard is a significant driving force. For me, postage stamps hold significant symbolic value in this context, as they were historically designed to enhance communication and foster connections between individuals.
Fostering a culture of collection
Building a culture around creating and collecting abstract stamps made through random actions and conditions in the physical world. My NFT Liaksiej.Philately collection is all about the joy of collecting and making it accessible to everyone. As someone who loves collecting unique items, it’s important to me to help make collecting more popular and enjoyable for others.
For Web3?
This collection could serve as a contribution to the concept of creating a unique postage stamp for communication or user identification within Web3 spaces and the metaverse. While I am still exploring how best to propose and implement this idea, I look forward to receiving suggestions and insights from the community to refine it further.
Ethics rooted, among other things, in virtue
! I also plan to allocate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the collection to charitable initiatives. However, my vision for these charity projects is focused on architecture and infrastructure, which require funding on a much larger scale. This is a significant and important undertaking, and one that I need to reach through my own growth and efforts. I believe that true high-level charity reflects the character and integrity of the person providing it. For me, this represents a high standard that goes beyond a purely monetary vision. This requires a strong understanding of the humanities, especially philosophy and theology, along with the ability to clearly share knowledge from these fields across different topics and conversations. Furthermore, I believe it is important to develop proficiency in Latin, master the art of fencing, and build a strong foundation in classical literature and music. For me, aesthetics feels like a form of absolute ethics, and striving for it just makes sense. It feels like the most natural part of God, something that nourishes and lifts the soul. When it comes to aesthetics, my perspective may seem contradictory, as I am an abstract rather than a classical artist, which could invite significant criticism. To some extent, I can understand this viewpoint. However, I will address my thoughts on this matter in a separate discussion, as it is a topic deserving its own article. To wrap up on the topic of charity as one of the goals of my collection, I want to clarify that charity isn’t the main purpose behind creating my NFT collection. I’m also not looking to use it as a way to gain extra attention for myself or my NFT stamp collection. I have a long-term goal of pursuing charitable endeavors as a potential option. If the collection achieves significant commercial success and during this time I myself as a person reach a much higher ethical level, then implementing charity projects with the funds of my creativity will be a matter of honor and dignity for me. I still have a lot to learn and work on as I continue down this path. Speaking lofty words is always tempting, but aligning those words with meaningful actions is far more challenging. Time will tell.
What is the total number of stamps included in the Liaskiej.Philately NFT collection?
I do not set a limit on the number of my stamps. For me, it is an ongoing journey where I will continue to add new pieces as they are created. I would like to point out that their creation is not a direct process. These drafts, from which abstract postage stamps are eventually derived, are produced as a secondary outcome during the creating of my primary artworks. So, the creation of new abstract stamps will really depend on my main creative projects. I want to emphasize that creating stamps is not a deliberate action; I do not intend to intentionally apply paint to paper solely for the purpose of producing stamps for NFT collection. In my opinion, it looks like an artificial action, like a factory process where a mass product is created for the purpose of selling and making a profit. My stamps are fragments of my creative handwriting written while working on my paintings. In conclusion: I will continue to expand the Liaksiej.Philately NFT collection for as long as possible, without establishing a specific limit.
The number of NFT abstract postage stamps depends on how many “protective lining papers” I have soiled with paints while working on my main artworks. And this excludes the creation of abstract postage stamps on purpose, that is, not by a natural process.
! If any part of my text is unclear, please feel free to share your questions or comments. As English is not my first language, my writing may occasionally lack precision or clarity. I would greatly appreciate your feedback to help refine and improve this important article. Thank you for your understanding and support!
In summary, as I shared with you about my NFT collection, Liaksiej.Philately
- I made my NFT collection featuring my abstract postage stamps.
- These NFT abstract stamps are digital versions of my authentic abstract stamp designs, created spontaneously during my time in the art studio.
- My collection of NFT stamps is available on Rarible, and select authentic physical stamps from the Liaksiej.Philately collection can also be purchased directly through my website.
- Authentic abstract stamps created using my protective lining paper, stained with paint during the process of working on my primary paintings.
- Using Soviet scissors with a ‘zig-zag’ blade, I carefully cut the stamps in a random order and selected the most suitable variants for minting in the NFT collection Liaksiej.Philately.
- An NFT collection built on the Polygon ecosystem (powered by Ethereum) and hosted on the decentralized platform Rarible.
- The number of NFTs is unlimited and depends solely on the effort I put into creating them.
- NFT abstract stamps come with three different levels of value.
- You can grab authentic physical versions of my abstract stamps on my website, Liaksiej.com. [They might be available on other sites in the future — stay tuned for updates!]
- Some authentic physical abstract stamps use fluorescent inks that show up under an ultraviolet flashlight.
- My goal with this collection is to collaborate with postal services from countries around the world to create unique, abstract postage stamps together.
- When you buy my NFT stamps, you’re helping bring my dream to life while supporting my creativity and the promotion of my new Art Movement in World Art — Abstract Accentualism. I truly appreciate your support!
- The NFT collection Liaksiej.Philately is just getting started, and I want to thank everyone who’s planning to grab their own abstract postage stamp.
- With each new release, I’ll share a separate article all about the new NFTs and their authentic physical versions.
- Details about the first release, as well as upcoming ones, can be found on the NFT page or through the [Liaksiej.Philately] tag and [NFT] category in the blog section of my website.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Kind regards,
Liaksiej Bandarenka
