Of all the talented locals that litter the cobbled streets of Rye James Tomlinson is one of our favourites, the wildlife fanatic and artist took the time to answer a few questions about his latest exhibition Locals.
So, James, you’ve been busy since we spoke to you at the start of the year, tell our readers what you’ve been up to?
During lockdown, I spent a vast amount of time bird watching at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. I have always been a keen birder, so I began to sketch the birds. After positive comments from passers-by, I was inspired to paint their beauty, thus resulting in an exhibition of 16 new pieces about the local birds and nature at the Reserve.
Tell our locals all about your latest exhibition Locals if you may? Why should they consider popping in?
I’ve been researching the Scottish Colourists with their finer brush strokes and colour and this new work, I guess, was a conscious move away from my previous exhibition where I used elements of graffiti. The challenge has been duplicating this into my paintings, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. In this latest exhibition, I have tried to showcase the birds’ characteristics, their personality and their individuality, whilst using colour to bring them to life. Visitors to Rye Bank Gallery might even spot a hare or two and even a gnome in my paintings!
Some of the pieces we’ve been lucky enough to see are stunning, it must be wonderful for an artist such as yourself to have such inspiration on your doorstep?
The exhibition at Rye Bank Gallery reflects where I am in my life at present and what inspires me. I’m at the Nature Reserve every day; I do a circuit and count the bird numbers and see the ever-changing landscape of the reserve. It’s about awareness, an awareness about what beauty is around us and the damage we are doing. It’s making sure that the next generation know about how to conserve nature and prevent further damage from climate change.
I love supporting the Discovery Centre and wanted to help in any way that I could to raise funds. I assisted by holding sponsored walks and I’ll start doing guided walks from the Globe Inn Marsh again. I continue to do the Guide in the Hide and 20% of proceeds from sales of my paintings will go towards helping to buy equipment for the Education Department. I do hope I can help to inspire the next generation to feel as passionately about nature and art as I do.