Featured Artist Linda Clark Johnson

Beautiful shades of blue, interspersed with dappled, sunlit imagery create ethereal “altered cyanotypes” by artist Linda Clark Johnson. Visit this artist’s website to see more of her work.

 

 

I like to say that my art is “blue magic!” I create paintings using an alternative photographic process called cyanotype (pronounced sigh-an-o-type). Cyanotype is a technique from the 1800s that produces deep blue and white prints when chemically treated paper is exposed to UV light. My cyanotype images are printed outdoors in the California sun using local plants and flowers.

 

 

Many artists make botanical cyanotypes, but I’m striving to develop my own style within the medium by combining cyanotype with other techniques. I began making simple blueprints (also called sunprints) five years ago. I quickly started altering the process, integrating my watercolor, printmaking and collage experience to create mixed media pieces. I’ve been completely captivated with cyanotype ever since.

 

 

In my “altered cyanotype” work I push the limits of the traditional process to shift colors and create atmospheric effects by drastically changing exposure times, adding extra chemicals, moisture and heat, and using eco-printing techniques. I also alter my pieces during printing with double exposures, partial exposures and staggered exposures.

 

 

After rinsing and drying a print I work back into the surface with watercolor, graphite, acrylic or collage. Sometimes my cyanotypes are bleached and toned to coax shades of yellow, ochre, green, brown and deep navy from the blue prints.

 

 

These finished cyanotype works blur the line between the genres of photography and painting.

 

 

The technical aspects of cyanotype printing really excite me, and I love to experiment by changing it up and challenging myself.

 

 

I combine all the tricks in my art toolkit to achieve new effects, and there have been some fantastic surprises along the way! I enjoy overcoming logistical challenges, too. (There must be a little science nerd in my genes.) I find that viewers are very curious about how my pieces are made.

 

 

Through my work I hope to share something ethereal and intriguing with viewers, and to arouse their curiosity. I envision taking them to a serene and beautiful place. Here in Northern California, I’m surrounded by abundant natural beauty. I study the plants and trees near my home, wondering what gorgeous shadow shapes they might create. My paintings celebrate the beautiful patterns I see in nature.

 

 

In addition to making art, I teach art to adults and children. Teaching is a real joy! I lead classes in my Sacramento studio as well as “on the road.” I’ve been invited to teach in Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts and even Mexico, and it’s so much fun.

 

 

I love making art. I wake up planning my next creative move and my work is what propels me forward each day. My goals right now are to increase the complexity in my images with layered materials and meanings and to book a gallery show outside of the Sacramento area.

 

Artist Linda Clark Johnson invites you to follow her on Instagram.

 

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