ARTIST STATEMENT
As a cyanotype artist, I am captivated by the interplay of light, utilizing my process of alchemy, nature, and technology, and the intricate dance between artistry and science. The cyanotype printing technique, with its rich history dating back to 1842, allows me to explore the delicate relationship between nature and photography without using dangerous chemicals. I create images that evoke nostalgia and wonder, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty of flowers through cyanotypes.
Since the COVID lockdown, my garden has become my sanctuary and a source of inspiration. Photographing with my iPhone, I create unique compositions of flowers to transcend beyond what the camera sees. My process consists of alchemy, nature, technology, artistic license, and timing. I photograph in my studio in natural light. From these images, I create a negative, printed onto transparency film. The film is placed under glass, on paper I have coated with UV-sensitive solution, and placed in the sun until developed. Dropping the exposed paper in water, watching the magic as the print oxidizes and the positive image appears.
My current one-of-a-kind cyanotype collages showcase my garden flowers in antique vessels, as elegant still life floral narratives. Utilizing unusual papers and techniques for my background wallpaper, and introducing hand-tinted colors to some, gives a modern edge to a vintage process. These collages often include hand-embossed vintage prints of butterflies, which symbolize pollinators at risk.
In this time of digital creation, I value the tangibility and unpredictability of traditional techniques. Each print and collage is a testament to the process, where the unexpected results spark new ideas. I strive to create pieces that encourage viewers to slow down, engage with the details, and enjoy the beauty of my vision of vintage-modern cyanotypes as art.