​Cyanotypes have been around for quite a long time, like 1842 long time. Sir John Herschel and Anna Atkins are the two pioneers of this process and if you want to learn more about them, the internet is full of information about how they got started.

But how can YOU get started? 

It's an early summer morning. The sun is warming up the earth, the dust is damp with dew and smelling fresh along with the plants that are awakening from their nightly slumber. What is it about the morning light that draws us in so much? I'm not a morning person at all, yet here I am sitting and basking in this light.

I remember growing up I loved getting up early before everyone else to sit in our bay window and just watch the sun rise through the trees across the street. I would let the sun's rays warm up my arms, legs, toes, and then my face. I would just sit and stare and take it all in.

I admit that I don't do this often enough as an adult but I'm sure if I did all my days would be more pleasant.

The birds are chirping, waking each other up, and trying to find their morning breakfast. One landed on the sidewalk in front of me, bouncing around at tilting his head to look at me as if he had something to say. He bounced a few more times and then fluttered away.

As I watch the sun getting higher I start to see the ants coming out to warm themselves on the sidewalk as well. Aren't they a busy bunch? Always scurrying around. Their shadows are larger than they are as they make their march across the sidewalk.

What does all of this have to do with art? On the surface, absolutely nothing. But deep inside my soul is being filled and energized and this will influence my art. Taking these moments to slow down, to notice the details, to feel things, to pause, to reflect on the seemingly nothingness moments of life all fill my soul with peace and joy which allows me to connect with myself in a deeper way to pull out my best faculties to create with.