I’m pleased to announce that BlueFernPrints is one of the selected stallholders for the marketplace at Spark2022: Ignite, an arts event at Royal Leamington Spa. Around 300 delegates from the sector will be in attendance at the Royal Spa Centre, Friday, February 11.
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THE BLUEFERNPRINTS STAND
Original cyanotypes and collages made using the traditional Victorian method – with a contemporary twist – created by a Kenilworth-based printmaker
On display:
CYANOTYPE PRINTS
Made using the traditional Victorian method of photograms ~ with additions. Light-sensitive chemicals are painted on to watercolour paper. The composition is placed on top, along with various substances including salt, soap, citric acid and vinegar. The paper is then exposed to sunlight/UV before rinsing.
CYANOLUMEN PRINTS & POSTCARDS ~ BOTANICAL COLLECTION
Handmade prints created using expired photographic paper, coated with a solution of light-sensitive chemicals, then exposed to UV, before fixing. A selection have been photographed and reprinted onto vintage-style handmade cards.
CYANOTYPE DIGITAL NEGATIVES/POSTCARDS ~ Jephson Gardens collection
Digital negatives based on colour photographs of Jephson Gardens were photocopied on to OHP acetate, then placed over paper coated with a solution of light-sensitive chemicals, then exposed to UV. A selection have been rephotographed, reduced and reprinted onto vintage-style handmade cards.
CYANOTYPE POSTER PRINTS
A selection of A4 botanical forms, abstracts and collages based on original designs using the traditional Victorian method and reprinted on quality paper.
CYANOTYPE COLLAGES
Handmade mixed media prints created by combining prints and recycled cyanotype offcuts along with fragments of original cyanotypes, reconfigured to create abstract and fantasy landscapes.
‘ CYANOGAMI ’
Original handmade items created by by cutting and folding original prints and recycled offcuts to create 3D forms and garlands.
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ABOUT BLUEFERNPRINTS
Last summer, I was struggling to find some affordable wall art for the hall, so I rummaged in the shed for my box of chemicals and set to work to create my own. I started a collection of dried botanicals from my garden and local woods, mixed the chemicals, coated the watercolour paper, placed on the composition and ‘cooked’ it outside until it turned blue. My collection grew. Prints of meadowflowers, giant alliums, ivy, cranesbill leaves ... You name it. I’ve pressed it into service, as it were. I made so many, I decided to sell them and created BlueFernPrints. I now make and sell original prints, cards and collages, some of which are mounted in upcycled vintage frames unearthed in local charity shops.
WHERE TO BUY:
Online: folksy.com/shops/BlueFernPrints
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Sunday February 27
Secret Studios Spring Sale, Wren Hall, Wroxhall
Saturday April 16
Hatton Country World
June 18 - July 3
WOS Summer Art Weeks:
Pop-up studio @ Kenilworth Cv8 2AQ
Exhibition @ St John the Baptist, Coventry
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SO, WHAT ARE CYANOTYPES?
• The technique was invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel.
• The cyanotype process uses a mixture of iron compounds. When exposed to UV light and washed in water, they oxidise to create Prussian Blue images.
• It was popularised by photographer and botanist Anna Atkins (right), considered to be the first person to publish a photographic book.
• The coating solution is an equal parts blend of Ferric Ammonium Citrate and Potassium Ferricyanide. Despite the name, these are not dangerous chemicals to handle. Mixed with water, they form a green solution which is painted on watercolour paper.
The process
1. The subject matter (flowers or ferns, say) is placed onto the prepared watercolour paper.
2. Glass over the top keeps the image sharp.
3. Once exposed to sunlight, the UV affects the chemicals and the paper starts to turn bronze.
4. The print is then rinsed in water and the colours reverse. The ‘masked’ areas go white and the exposed areas go dark blue.
‘Wet’ cyanotypes
Modern practice involves bringing a little chaos into the mix. This involve adding all manner of ingredients (salt, turmeric, soap, citric acid) to create ethereal marbling patterns.
A cyanotype print of Euphorbia, spritzed with diluted vinegar, later rinsed in green tea to achieve a sepia effect.
BlueFernPrints - pamkelt@gmail.com