{"title":"Wild Colour Specimens","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese wild colour specimens represent our ongoing dialogue with Dartmoor's seasonal landscape. The plants were chosen from what has been abundantly available in the last year, with a slight preference given to native plants and trees. From over one hundred specimens, nine have been selected and framed for our Earth Day Collection 2025 based on its dynamism, clarity of colour, and evocation of place.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat happens when you allow nature to create its own art?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of these extraordinary pieces begins with a foraging journey across Dartmoor's moorland. Carefully selected plants—nettle, oak, willow, hawthorn, rowan, gorse, beech, ivy, and holly—are transformed through traditional methods into vibrant botanical inks. These inks aren't simply applied to paper. They're set free to dance and interact with modified versions of themselves, creating mesmerising patterns through natural chemical reactions that can never be exactly replicated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result? A completely unique abstract composition that carries the living essence of Dartmoor itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Just Art—A Living Connection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike conventional art that remains static, these Wild Colour prints continue their journey long after creation. Protected by museum-quality ArtGlass that filters harmful UV light, the botanical inks will gradually evolve over time—subtly shifting and developing in response to their environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour piece isn't just a snapshot of Dartmoor; it's a living extension of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Perfect Marriage of Heritage and Wilderness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach wild colour specimen (100mm x 100mm) is also elegantly letterpress printed onto handmade watercolour paper using traditional techniques that date back centuries. The finished piece is professionally framed to approximately 230mm x 320mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis unique pairing of precise heritage craft with the wild unpredictability of foraged inks creates a work of art that speaks to the comfort we find in tradition and our connection to the natural world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat You'll Receive\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne framed original letterpress print featuring your choice of Dartmoor-foraged botanical ink (subject to availability)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNotes on Dartmoor's Wild Colour\u003c\/em\u003e. A short essay on the process and plants used in this collection. Digitally printed, with letterpress cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCertificate of authenticity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are only 9 pieced in this collection—one for each botanical ink: nettle, oak, willow, hawthorn, rowan, gorse, beech, ivy, and holly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese exact specimens will never be reproduced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom environmental science to artistic expression, our work is deeply rooted in our adopted home of Dartmoor. Each piece begins outdoors with the foraging journey and combines our passion for nature with the precision of letterpress and the experimental chemistry of wild colours.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"notes-on-dartmoors-wild-colour-a-short-printed-essay","title":"Notes on Dartmoor's Wild Colour - a short essay","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAs I write these words, the mist hangs heavily outside our Princetown home. There is barely a breeze, and the birds are calling through the soft grey. These are my favourite days on Dartmoor, where I am hugged by nature and safely held by clouds. Soon, I’ll go out for a walk along a route I follow dailyish. We’ve had several weeks without rain on the moor, but the weather has changed and last night’s rain will now be seeping through the high moor, creating rivulets, widening waterways, and perhaps spilling over in various places to form transient waterfalls. Although I’ll take my map and compass, the route is one I can follow without aid, never too far from a feature that is easy to follow when visibility is reduced. Down a track, along a man-made water channel known as a leat, through old tin workings to an abandoned farm, down a tributary, up a hill alongside a wall, back along the leat, and to the road where our workshop is. A round trip of about seven miles. Further if I get distracted.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the introduction to \u003cem\u003eWild Colour\u003c\/em\u003e. The essay is approximately 5000 words, and is printed on a home laser printer. The cover is letterpress printed in our workshop with metal and wood type. The papers for the book are all British, recycled paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis listing is for the print copy of the essay. The text of this essay is also available as a free download to subscribers of our mailing list. There should be a subscription form on the bottom of this page if you'd like to preview the text.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Princetown Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54296192450945,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0807\/2842\/4733\/files\/books.jpg?v=1747229582"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0807\/2842\/4733\/collections\/909036D9-727F-4B95-B86C-2F4636AE0CF6_1_201_a.jpg?v=1745130740","url":"https:\/\/www.princetownpress.live\/collections\/wild-colour-specimens.oembed","provider":"Princetown Press","version":"1.0","type":"link"}