Claudia Hollister

Utilizing this historical process of creating cyanotype prints, I continue to bring a new perspective expanding my vision and range through depth of color and compositions. Though the Prussian blue hues can’t be duplicated in any other material, the shades of blue and white images feel vintage modern, with contrasting variations of light and dark. I am in my fourth year documenting the cycle of seasonal blooms, in this uniquely beautiful and sometimes mysterious format, that can be an unpredictable process.

Having worked in several different mediums over many years, I have developed knowledge and techniques that deeply influence my visual vocabulary and creative expression.

During the COVID lockdown I was feeling restless painting, and turned to flowers from my garden, capturing their beauty through photography. This exploration brought the calm and joy I needed while working and cultivating plantings-resulting in intimate details of lush floral images.

My process consists of alchemy, nature, technology, artistic license and timing. I photograph in my studio in natural light using my iPhone. From these images I create a negative, printed onto transparency film. The film is placed under glass, on top of paper I have coated with UV sensitive solution, and set in the sun or UV light box until it is developed. Dropping the exposed paper in water, watching the magic as the print oxidizes and the positive image appears.