Paper and the Birdcage
As an artist and graphic designer, paper is incredibly important to me. I began my career 20 years ago just as digital was creeping into our lives and have watched, despairingly, as printing on paper has gradually lessened and lessened in preference for the digital realms. Innovation, progress, technology. I get it. But there is nothing like the tactile nature of paper, and oh, my friends, we have found phenomenal paper for these prints. You can only really see and appreciate the vibrancy and richness in person. This paper ain’t cheap either, and none of it seems to come in the exact sizes we need which requires an oversized, high-end paper cutter as well as so damn much of our time, but it’s 💯 worth it. I have honestly devoted so much time and energy of this little business venture to just researching, finding and deciding on the perfect paper for the things we create. And I regret nothing. 🙃
This is a new piece called The Birdcage. It’s my new and latest favorite and we’ll have some prints and a framed print of it at Saturday’s Black Moth Art Market in Tulsa.
The historical sources for this piece are many. Are you ready?
Vertebral column and ribcage by Jeannette Mongrédien. Watercolour. 1880
Subalpine warbler and eggs, strawberry, Red Admiral, wasp cocoon, ants and cocoons from the Natural History Cabinet of Anna Blackburne. Painting in high resolution by James Bolton. 1768
Topaza pyra; Fairy Topaz by John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter. Print in high resolution. 19th century
Spotted flycatcher and eggs, bramble and Purple Emperor and longhorned beetle from the Natural History Cabinet of Anna Blackburne. Painting in high resolution by James Bolton. 1768
Red Avadavat, Marsh gentian, common sawfly, Fluminense swallowtail and shells from the Natural History Cabinet of Anna Blackburne. Painting in high resolution by James Bolton. 1768
European robin and wild strawberry from the Natural History Cabinet of Anna Blackburne. Painting in high resolution by James Bolton. 1768
Caesalpinoid legume, Blackburn’s Earth Boring Beetle, Seven-Spotted Ladybird Beetle, Purple Emperor and shells from the Natural History Cabinet of Anna Blackburne. Painting in high resolution by James Bolton. 1768
Crimson topaz hummingbird, Cyclamen, Red Postman and shells from the Natural History Cabinet of Anna Blackburne. Painting in high resolution by James Bolton. 1768
Vintage butterfly from Kamisaka Sekka’s Cho senshu One Thousand Butterflies. 1904
