cyanotypes

Cyanotype printing is an early photographic process using light sensitive materials which result in a ‘blue print’ which they are often called. The light sensitive liquid is mixed and brushed or poured across paper, fabric or another permeable surface, in a darkened room. When dry, objects or film positives can be placed upon the surface and exposed to direct sunlight. An image is recorded on the surface and after simple processing an illuminating ‘blue print’ is made.

Many of my cyanotypes are made from botanical and natural objects. They are reminiscent of archival specimens used in scientific documentation and collections, though through the sun-based process their stark beauty is illuminated.

A series of images were printed on my well worn, stained, embroidered “vintage” cloth napkins . The subject matter was obvious- the cloth napkins spoke to my predilection for images of rural life, both beautiful and harsh.

1  /  Red Oak leaf (Quercus rubra)

2  / Poppy seed heads (Papaver orientale)

3  /  Large bird’s nest

4  /  Scarlet bee balm ( Monarda didyma)

5  /  Veronica speedwell (Veronica)

6  /  Loggerhead turtle skull (Caretta caretta)

7  /  Sugar maple leaf (Acer saccharum)

8  / Giant Solomon’s seal (Polyganatum biflorum)

9  /  Skate pods (Rajidae spp.)

10  /  Seagull feather #1 (Laridae spp.)

11  /  Garlic scapes (Allium sativum)

12  /  Sage leaves (Salvia spp.)

13  /  rib bone (beach detritus)

14  /  pullets with feathers

15  /  little feather

16  /  Horse portrait in blue

17  /  Beech leaf (Fagus grandifolia)

18  /  Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

19  /  Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)

20  /  Robin’s egg in nest (Turdus migratorius)

21  /  French lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

22  /  Morning glory (Ipomoea spp.)

23  /  Heart-shaped bird’s nest

24  /  Forget-me-nots  (Myosotis spp.)

25  /  Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

26  /  Butterflies (Lepidoptera spp.)

27  /  Tall Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

28  /  Bird’s nest with seed pods

29  /  Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus)

30  /  Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)

31  /  Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

32  /  Fluffy seed head

33  /  Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

34  /  Field thistle (Cirsium spp.)

35  /  Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

36  /  Leg bone

37  /  Little bluestem (Schizacharium scoparium)

38  /  Oriental poppies (Papavar orientale)

39  /  Quaking Aspen leaves (Populus tremuloides)

40  /  Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sepervirens)

41  /  Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)

42  /  Thistle seed dispersal (Cirsium spp.)

43  /  Tulips (Tulipia spp.) 

44 / Two blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)

45  /  Wavy hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa)

46  /  Icicles

47  /  Young turkey feather  (Meleagris gallopavo)

48 /  Coyote & deerskins (on vintage cloth napkins)

49 /  Field Barn Sky (on vintage cloth napkin)

50 /  Barry’s Pond (on vintage cloth napkin)

51  /  Beacon (on vintage cloth napkin)

52  /  Heartwood (on vintage cloth napkin)