Celadon Japanese Maple (12 x 12 inch original handmade monotype)

(12 x 12 inch unframed 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.

“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 turquoise hue like the celadon glaze often used on Japanese pottery. This print is more bluish than the “Misty Clover” monoprints of daisies which are more greenish.

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.