The art of wildlife with James Tomlinson

James Tomlinson is a keen birder and nature lover, well known at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve as a volunteer, helping out at events, for example as a 'Guide in a Hide'. He lives in Rye and takes great photographs of wildlife. He is also an artist, so we spoke to him about how his love of birds and graffiti have come together in his work.

Tell us a bit about your art

As a teenager I was a keen graffiti artist, studying and copying pictures from the iconic book Subway Way Art. Later on I developed my own style on paper, then walls. But now I've gone back to paper and canvas.

My passion for birds and graffiti art have come together with my ‘Feral' series. I want to portray how we are drastically changing the face of the planet and how nature is having to adapt and how we must act responsibly now.

What's your process?

I work from home in my studio using a number of mediums acrylics, oils, inks, spray paint and sometimes stickers. The graffiti-ed background is built up over layers, colours are planned out to help define the subject.

I take lots of reference photos while out in the field and sketch out ideas as they come to me. I sometimes wake in the middle of the night and paint. 

Some of my ideas are from reflecting on times gone by in my life and some may be inspired by something I’ve seen out walking that day.

Large paintings can take over a week. When using a variety of mediums, you have to be careful of drying times and how they act against each other.

Who are your heroes?

Like most enthusiasts of the natural world, Sir David Attenborough is an iconic figure to me. I'm also very interested in the work of Wild Justice (Chris Packham, Ruth Tingay and Mark Avery) for bringing crime against nature to the public eye. Also all those who work in the conservation field. 

I find all types of art inspiring and am always drawn in particular to work that makes a statement or observation - current or about the past.

How have you been finding lockdown?

I am lucky to live in an area of natural beauty with lots of open space to get my daily exercise, also I have had more time to paint as the country slows down whilst this dreadful pandemic plays out. I've taken part in the Sussex Wildlife Trust Back Garden Bird Race, which is great fun, in particular the last 10 minutes of searching for those last couple of species. I average between 22-30 from where I live.

What's your favourite work of art?

My favourite piece of art is ‘Moon Shine’ by the Etam Cru, (Bezt and Sainer) - amazing street artists. I could never own this piece though, as it’s painted on the side of a house in Richmond USA.

James is a great supporter of the Discovery Centre, and has been fundraising by means of his guided walks around the reserve from The Globe pub. These will resume when it's safe to do so.when information about them will be posted here.

 For more of James' work, see here