About this piece: Made with once bright orange Shirley Poppies/Papaver rhoeas I noticed in a friend’s garden. Sturdy flower stems held up paper thin petals attached to developing seed pods at a dark basal spot. My mushroom spore print work attests to an attraction for contrary forces. The beautiful poppies called me over as they fluttered with the brevity of summer. I cut several poppies, then dried the delicate petals. The bright hue turned to a muted mauve, veins in tact. So I created multiple exposure cyanotype photograms with the pretty poppy parts. The poppy can symbolize peace and death, but also regeneration, a reminder to take comfort in the growing cycles - and that everything changes. The original cyanotype is held in a private collection.

The cyanotype is an alternative photographic process used by botanist Anna Atkins to make the first ever photographic book. The process is straightforward and encourages experimentation. Sign-up for my newsletter for information about the cyanotype workshops I teach.

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