Cyanotype Sun Print

Art is often about capturing on paper how light hits an on object. However, this time, I wanted to try a more direct approach—using light to cast an image of an object on to the paper. This process is similar to how a photograph works with film, but is a much more rudimentary verison.

Cyanotype paper changes from a light blue to a dark blue when exposed to ultraviolet light, and anything that blocks the light will remain light blue. It takes just a few miniutes of exposure time and many effects can be created by moving the objects around or using partially transparent objects. Dipping the print into water will cease the reactivity to light and end the print process.

This print was made using rocks, sticks, and objects just lying around outside. The process is clean and can easily be done with students of all ages as long as the sun is out.

Ink Block Print

In a regression to capturing an image by drawing, nature can still be a source of inspiration. This time, I drew a simple cactus in a pot, carved the reverse of the image into a linolium block, then used that block to make a series of prints. This technique explores nature by way of using a single source to create subtle variations for each instance of the print.

The experiment here was to see how inks can be mixed on the plate to give gradiations in the colors each time the block was reinked. The following are some of my favorites on a few different colors of paper.