{"product_id":"swaling-dartmoor-oak","title":"Swaling","description":"\u003cp class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"\u003e66 x 54 cm framed original botanical ink specimen with letterpress printing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"\u003eIf you've visited Dartmoor over winter, you are likely familiar with the lines of fire across the open moor. These controlled burns, known locally as swaling, are an ancient land management practice and still used today on Dartmoor. The earliest historical record is the end of the fourteenth century, but the paleo-environmental record suggests it has been happening for thousands of years. The burning is primarily used to reduce overgrowth of gorse bushes and other vegetation, and promotes new growth, which is more palatable to the upland livestock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"\u003eThe abstract image was created from ink made from oak galls we collected on Dartmoor. The line of fire was created by adding a line of rust water, and then baking soda to unmodified oak gall ink. A truly unique piece that captures the dynamic nature of a swaling fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"\u003eThe oak galls for the botanical ink were all collected on Dartmoor. The text is entirely handset from wood and metal type. The printing was completed in our Princetown studio on our Soldans cylinder proofing press -- the largest known hand-powered proofing press of its kind remaining in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"\u003eThis is the second collection in our Wild Colour series, and the first collection to feature large works. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"\u003eThis work is available at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gallerybythelakes.co.uk\/exhibitions\/48-printland-the-uk-s-leading-printmakers\/overview\/\"\u003ePrintland 2026, 31 October - 28 November\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePart of the \u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.princetownpress.live\/collections\/dartmoors-oaktober\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOak: First Gathering collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Princetown Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54799157363073,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0807\/2842\/4733\/files\/Oak-Medium-Swaling-sq.jpg?v=1759007134","url":"https:\/\/www.princetownpress.live\/products\/swaling-dartmoor-oak","provider":"Princetown Press","version":"1.0","type":"link"}