« March 2024 | Main | May 2024 »
I want to make more of these. When I start back into a practice I've not done in a while, it takes some time for the sensitivity to return. The more I print, the more I come to understand just what I want to print and how to go about it. I'm well supplied with paper and sensitizer...and plenty of botanical material now. No excuses...right?
This time of year, pretty much every morning starts with a saunter through the garden. I look to see how everything fared over night, what new might be blooming, and think about what needs to be done for the day. There's also a lot of just standing, staring, BEing in the garden with all that life.
It's been another warm day, but really beautiful. I managed to make a few wet cyanotypes. They turned out...okay. It's like going back to riding a bike after a long time...might not fall off, but also might not feel terribly confident or skilled. I'll see how they look after they dry and cure for a few days. The oatmeal/raisin/walnut/chocolate chip cookies I made, however, I'm very pleased with!
And here I thought there was going to be sun again! The other day I took advantage of the sunshine and made more cyanotype flags. Since I'd also sensitized paper, my plan was to make some new wet cyanotypes. But alas, the skies have put the kibosh on that.
Still, that muted light was rather sweet in the garden...so, the Lomo'Instant came out. I'm not sad.
The garden is pretty much planted now. Will it rain? If so, I won't need to water. Wait and see. I must say, the natural world seems to influence much of what I do in life. Again...I'm not sad.
What a glorious morning! The storm last night washed off the pollen and the plants this morning are sparkling. I never get tired of documenting this wonder...
A couple friends and I headed out to Forrest Green Farm yesterday. It was a nice little drive...especially since I didn't have to drive! Instead I focused my camera out the car window. The situation once we got there really wasn't conducive to shooting much, so I didn't bring images back from the nursery itself.
I did, however, bring back three tomato plants, a Mexican tarragon and a nasturtium. It's going to be hot today...for April. It feels like summer. I can't say I'm quite prepared for it yet...summer temps. That being the case, I may wait a day or so until the weather gets closer to average again to do any intensive gardening. And there is just so much to do out there! A trip to nearby nurseries may be in order for the day, as well as coating paper for cyanotypes and even pulling out the encaustic supplies (I've been feeling motivated to get back into that process as well). Sometimes I feel like I have my efforts too spread out...and other times I love that!
It's been so hard to get myself up as early as I'd like. At night when I'm going to bed I have great intentions, then for one reason or another that earlier rising time just doesn't happen. But...this morning it did.
Those early hours with the sun just up, soft light filtering in, are really sweet. I need to do this more often.
The heavy pollen from the trees has been with us for over a week already. Still, the leaves hadn't quite pushed themselves out yet. After last night's storm, the sun shown bright this morning and I was a little taken aback by how green everything had become. It seemed like it happened overnight. Even when I went to run errands (while waiting for my power to return after being knocked out by aforementioned storm) everywhere I drove I noticed the trees filling out. Not only that, it seems like the rampant wisteria is blooming more profusely than I remember. There's a special energy at this time of year.
One of my favorite things, especially in the growing season, is wandering around the yard in the morning. The bird song and botanical discoveries really set a good tone for the day.
Today in the garden, a few new blooms are showing themselves. Choke cherry, may apple, aquilegia, lily of the valley and wisteria.
A note on wisteria here in Virginia...they are terribly invasive and non-native. The one in the picture is wild and actually rooted on my neighbor's side of the fence. I tend to cut it back as best I can. This, however, is the first blossom I've seen on the vine. And I do confess I'm rather partial to this flower...especially the scent. So, I celebrate this bloom and will partake of the fragrance...then once again cut the vine back.
choke cherry
may apple
aquilegia
lily of the valley
wisteria
After I coated a few pieces of paper yesterday (for my failed eclipse cyanotypes), there was still little bit of sensitizer left. I remembered the very old postcard paper that had been sensitized ages ago, that had languished at the bottom of a drawer. I decided to pull that out to make a few wet cyanotypes.
Because this paper had set for so long, I knew it would behave differently than freshly coated paper. Mainly, the whole print would be darker than usual. Still, I figured adding the new wet solution, plus the lime juice and tumeric I typically use, might create some interesting pieces. So, the leftover supplies got put to use.
The results are interesting and fun. And it's given me inspiration to make more of these (just ordered additional paper).