Newest nature inspired notecards by James Winrow

Dear Everyone ~

I am delighted to herald the arrival of a series of photographic notecards by artist (and photographer!) James Winrow. His newest edition of nature-inspired cards presents incredible close-ups of nests. They are mostly avian, but there are also two mouse nests, one wasp’s nest, and one emperor moth cocoon. All fairly fascinating and a bit mesmerizing.

Since I began stocking James's cards, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with him via Zoom on a couple of occasions. It’s always a delight to commune with him about his drawings and collections, and our shared love of nature. 
 
James had sent me his nest images via email, before they were printed, and I was aswoon. Seeing them “in person” on paper revealed James’s lovely & lyrical description on the back of each card. In the shop listing, you can savour his full description for the Goldfinch.

I e’d James a few questions,  to which he has graciously replied.
 
Where & when—perhaps I mean how—do you find these nests?
 
It varies considerably. First up, timing. I won’t deal with nests in nesting season. I will often find nests when I’m out and about walking and spending time in nature—in woods, fields and hedgerows mainly. It’s actually a marvellous challenge to set yourself if you’re interested in connecting with nature more and having your eyes opened—albeit one that must be done with respect and care not to disturb the nest or birds.

Do you have a designated space in your studio for displaying them?
 
Do you know, I don’t… I’ve garnered quite a collection now, so I should really have a shelf set up for them. Perhaps that can be a project for the studio.

Do you have a specific way to document them?
 
Yes. I will set up a small photographic studio with a plain backdrop and then photograph them in natural light and with studio lights, depending on the nest and what quality to the image I’m after. Photography forms a large part of my artistic practice. It’s a useful tool for documenting and creating reference material to work from later.

Do the nests change over time, even though they’re indoors?
 
Yes, they do. They’re made of natural materials and will fade and go rusty in colour, or a washed-out brown. A bright, vivid green wren’s nest made from moss will turn to a ball of russet, grey and washed-out brown in a few months, which has a charm of its own, but I like to capture the colour and form when they’re as fresh as possible, which is what the camera is so good for. 

The nests seem quite varied. Have you found them all in your immediate vicinity?
 
Most of these nests have been found within about a half mile radius. Exceptions are one of the mouse nests, the moth cocoon, and the fragment of the long-tailed tit nest.

Do you have a favourite foot path? 
 
I actually don’t! There are some animal trails on the land here that I like to follow. I’m terrible on a walk. I can’t do the A-to-B route march. I could spend a whole day walking a 500-yd stretch of path. I meander and wander, following any little sign or track. I will often want to stop and see and look for a while. That’s where the magic happens. 

Also new from James is a portfolio envelope with string-and-button closure that holds his set of four nature inspired postcards. And when you’ve sent, shared, or framed the postcards, you can adapt your portfolio for stamps, other cards, or little treasures. If you’ve already purchased a set of James’s postcards and would like a portfolio envelope, please just e me, as James has been generous with extras.