Misty Maple 1 (18 x 24 inch original handmade monotype)

(18 x 24 inch original handmade cyanotype on paper)

Although this looks like a block print or screen print it is actually a form of 19th century photography called a cyanotype. The tree is called a “Dancing Peacock Japanese Maple”.

“Cyan” means blue in Greek. However I dramatically altered the normal ratios of the two chemicals which comprise the photo emulsion, yielding not the traditional dark blue and white but a pale gray-green and white. This is a very soft subtle pastel hue like the celadon glaze often used on Japanese pottery.

This was not made with ink and a printing press. All my botanical cyanotypes are unique monoprints, having been made with fresh cut plants which wilted soon afterwards. There is no block or metal plate which can be inked and re-used.