Cyanotype Artist
About Me
Welcome to my world, where heritage meets innovation, and art transcends the ordinary.
I’m Julie McMahon, an artist and designer passionate about the process of Cyanotype, an historic photographic technique that transforms the ephemeral into the eternal, capturing the essence of nature’s delicate beauty with unrivalled precision and grace.
Rooted in a profound appreciation for the timeless craft of Cyanotype, my journey began with a desire to preserve the intricate beauty of the natural world.
Drawing inspiration from the Victorian era, when this process was first developed, I have honed my craft, blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics.
My work is a celebration of the meticulous artistry and dedication required to create pieces that are both visually stunning and deeply meaningful.
What is Cyanotype?
Cyanotype, discovered in 1842 by Sir John Herschel, is an iron-based photographic process using a light-sensitive solution of potassium ferricyanide and ammonium ferric citrate. When coated onto paper or fabric, arranged with botanicals, and exposed to sunlight, it produces a distinctive blue photographic image.
I choose to work with cyanotype for its low environmental impact. Unlike traditional silver-based photography, its iron-based chemistry is far less toxic. My prints are exposed using natural sunlight and washed in water, with no fixing agents or harsh chemicals.
I grow and gather plants locally, and create in small batches to reduce waste. My greetings cards are printed on FSC-certified card, and my packaging is reused, recycled, and recyclable.
Creating art in harmony with the natural world is important to me, and I’m always exploring ways to deepen that connection through my practice.
Creating in harmony with nature
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