“There are connoisseurs of blue just as there are connoisseurs of wine.”

I am a wet cyanotype artist who was born and raised in Washington. I’ve lived on Guemes since 2016. I began creating wet cyanotypes in 2022.

My work is inspired by nature and the color blue. I harness the power of the sun to create these botanical prints. I love hiking and walking in nature and I collect plants with interesting patterns to use in my cyanotypes. The experimental nature and serendipity of the wet cyanotype process means that no two pieces of work can be the same. This process can capture every detail of a fern frond or transparent flower and it’s a wonderful way to preserve the memories of summer and bring the beauty of nature into your home.

I’ve also been experimenting with collage, as the wet cyanotype process produces many failed prints and it’s a good way of using my abundant scrap material.

WHAT IS WET CYANOTYPE?
Cyanotypes are one of the oldest photographic processes in the history of photography. Watercolor paper is coated with a mixture of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyananide. The object to be printed is laid on the surface and exposed to sunlight which creates a Prussian Blue color. Water is then used to wash away the sensitizer solution and the blue darkens as the print dries to reveal the final product. Wet Cyanotype includes the addition of water, vinegar, soap suds and spices such as turmeric to create variations in the final print.

All Artwork ©Karen Lamphere