As you would expect from an award-winning professional photographer, Jacqueline Cross from Oxford has been taking amazing photographs for many years as she works in her photography business. However, when she is not undertaking a professional ‘shoot’ or providing photographic workshops, Jacqueline likes to use her love of Cyanotype Art to create beautiful floral pictures which she sells at the House of Flowers in Wantage.
Invented in 1842 by scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel, Cyanotype is a camera-less photographic printing process. We have heard of the term ‘blueprint’ which was linked to architectural ‘blueprints’ produced using the cyanotype process to reproduce a technical or engineering design (an early form of photocopying), but we may not be aware of how beautiful pictures can be created using this technique.
Prints are produced when a chemically coated surface is exposed to sunlight, creating a cyan-blue print. Once the surface is coated with a 1:1 solution of Potassium Ferricyanide and Ammonium Ferric (III) Citrate, it needs to dry in a dark place. By placing everyday objects or in Jacqueline’s case, flowers on the surface to block out the light; a positive image is then produced by exposing the surface to a source of ultraviolet light such as sunlight. Whilst Cyanotype involves many of the traditional chemical practices of photography it is done without the need for a darkroom space.
Jacqueline tells us more about her artistic work.
“My love of photography started when I was 16, in the days before digital cameras. I was fascinated by the processing of images from film, and I even created a dark room where I lived. Now many years later as a commercial photographer busy shooting for clients digitally, I enjoy switching off and absorbing myself in the old photographic processes whenever I can. Watching an image come alive, using a mixing of photographic chemicals enables me to be really creative when I add beautiful raw ingredients such as black tea and turmeric. These additions make the colours pop. Some pieces also include 9ct gold for special occasions.
My inspiration comes from nature. I love being outdoors so flowers, delicate leaves and plants are my go-to subjects. As the process of Cyanotype Art can take days, I enjoy layering. Each original piece has depth that you can look into, identifying beautiful elements of the flower which has been used in creating the original piece of art.
By working with the House of Flowers in Wantage, who offer special bespoke services for wedding and funeral orders, people can also receive a bespoke piece of art made especially for them with the flowers from their arrangement. Thus the memories of the event and the flowers chosen to commemorate it, can be enjoyed long after the event has passed.”
If anyone would like to purchase a piece of Jackie’s Cyanotype Art, her work is on display at the House of Flowers at 5 Market Place, Wantage.
