Lou Strik was born in Eindhoven, the Netherlands on 8
December 1921, into a family of which several members have been classified as temperamental,
artisan, esoteric and clairvoyant. This rich tapestry became a huge influence
on Strik which found an outlet in his art.
During the war years, Strik attended the Art Academy in Den
Bosch, and after the war he furthered his art studies in Amsterdam,
specialising in copper and wood engraving.
For a living, Strik became an art teacher in 1978, teaching at
several Dutch academies during his lifelong career. As an artist he was one of
the last few to try and preserve the art form of wood cuts during the 1950s and
60s.
Stamps had been of interest to Strik as well, and he
designed a few for the Netherlands in the 1950s. In 1957, his one and only
engraved stamp was issued: the 10c value of the set marking the 350th birth anniversary of Admiral de Ruyter. Strik made two designs for this stamp, which were both
engraved. The first one, a portrait stamp, was rejected, but the second one,
which was more of a full-length portrait, with ships in the background, was
accepted although the design was tweaked in several ways before it was
acceptable for use.
In 1958, a set of Child Welfare stamps was issued in the Netherlands
with designs by Strik. Although the stamps were printed in litho, originally
the idea was to issue engraved stamps, and proofs exist of the engravings Strik
made for the five values.
After his retirement in 1981, Strik became more and more
involved in the world of bookplates.
Lou Strik passed away on 23 November 2001.