




















Indigo Maple Triptych (three 18 x 24" unframed cyanotypes )
(Three UNFRAMED monotypes on heavy watercolor paper.
These are 3 unique hand-printed monotypes on heavy cotton cold-press watercolor paper with a slight texture. They have straight cut edges, not deckled edges. If matted and framed in 30h x 24w” frames, they will span 6 linear feet .
The leaves in these cyanotypes are a pale blue and not a white. The different shades of blue are created by exposing some parts of the light-sensitive paper to sunlight longer than others through multiple exposures. The background is a French blue (not a super dark navy blue) and the leaves are a pale aqua. (See the last closeup photo of the edge of one print laid on top of white paper to see the contrast).
Cyanotypes are a kind of 19th century alternative (cameraless) photographic process. While traditional cyanotypes are a navy blue background with sharp white silhouettes, I prefer to manipulate the process to achieve varying softer shades of blue instead, rather like aquatint etchings.
All my botanical cyanotypes are one-of-kind monotypes using actual fresh-cut branches from trees in my garden or fallen trees in the woods where I hike. This particular species of tree is a Dancing Peacock Full Moon Fernleaf Japanese Maple or in Latin, Acer Japonicum Aconitifolium. The Japanese name is Mai Kujaku.
There is no etched copper plate, no carved wood block, no printing press and no ink to be able to reproduce these images. There is no film negative either. Each is a unique, hand-printed lensless photograph made using real plants from my own garden.
(Three UNFRAMED monotypes on heavy watercolor paper.
These are 3 unique hand-printed monotypes on heavy cotton cold-press watercolor paper with a slight texture. They have straight cut edges, not deckled edges. If matted and framed in 30h x 24w” frames, they will span 6 linear feet .
The leaves in these cyanotypes are a pale blue and not a white. The different shades of blue are created by exposing some parts of the light-sensitive paper to sunlight longer than others through multiple exposures. The background is a French blue (not a super dark navy blue) and the leaves are a pale aqua. (See the last closeup photo of the edge of one print laid on top of white paper to see the contrast).
Cyanotypes are a kind of 19th century alternative (cameraless) photographic process. While traditional cyanotypes are a navy blue background with sharp white silhouettes, I prefer to manipulate the process to achieve varying softer shades of blue instead, rather like aquatint etchings.
All my botanical cyanotypes are one-of-kind monotypes using actual fresh-cut branches from trees in my garden or fallen trees in the woods where I hike. This particular species of tree is a Dancing Peacock Full Moon Fernleaf Japanese Maple or in Latin, Acer Japonicum Aconitifolium. The Japanese name is Mai Kujaku.
There is no etched copper plate, no carved wood block, no printing press and no ink to be able to reproduce these images. There is no film negative either. Each is a unique, hand-printed lensless photograph made using real plants from my own garden.