Since 1994, I have explored printmaking as my primary artistic medium, continually drawn to its balance of process and surprise. In recent years, my focus has centered on monoprints and drypoints—until I was introduced to cyanotype.
Also known as “sunprints,” cyanotype is an early photographic process that uses the ultraviolet rays of the sun to expose a light-sensitive solution painted onto paper or other surfaces. The result is a striking range of blues and whites, where light and shadow leave their trace.When Randie invited me to show my work at Big Basin Vineyards’ Tapas and Tasting Room, I felt inspired to create a series that would be connected to the venue. With the winery’s permission, I collected vines, grapes, and leaves directly from their estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the autumn of 2025. These natural elements became both subject and collaborator in the cyanotypes.
I began by creating 16" x 22" prints using these organic vineyard materials to create designs in blue and white. Once completed, I tore the larger works into smaller pieces, preparing them for a transformative next step: bleaching and toning. Each fragment was immersed in a solution of water and washing soda, then was rinsed and placed into baths of coffee, red wine, black tea, or green tea. Time became a key ingredient—the longer each piece remained submerged, the richer and deeper its tones became.
After drying, the pieces were reimagined once more. I left them as singular images or arranged and layered them into collages, enhancing details with watercolor, acrylic paint, graphite and colored pencil. Each composition evolved intuitively, resulting in works that are entirely unique yet connected through a shared palette and rhythm.
The final body of work is both cohesive and quietly expressive. Muted tones soften the imagery of fruit and vine, creating a sense of calm and harmony that reflects the landscape from which it came.
.jpg "Flora 24")
.jpg "Flora 21")
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.jpg "Flora 1")
.jpg "Flora 25")
.jpg "Flora 31")
.jpg "Flora 40")
.jpg "Flora 13")
.jpg "Flora 32")
.jpg "Flora 28")
.jpg "Flora 37")
.jpg "Flora 29")
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