Anthotype

Anthotyping, also known as nature printing, is a historical photographic process that uses plant pigments and sunlight to create an image as ephemeral as it is beautiful. The word anthotype comes from the Ancient Greek words anthos, for flower, and typos, for imprint. Though the photosensitive properties of natural pigments have been known for centuries, the modern process of anthotyping only dates to John Herschel’s experimental photography in the mid-19th century. The process remains largely unchanged to this day.

 

To create an anthotype, an emulsion of plant pigments is painted onto a surface, after which the materials which create the final image are arranged on top. Finally, the tableau is exposed to the sun until the uncovered pigment bleaches away, leaving a delicate image in the original color. The effect is soft and ethereal, in some ways reminiscent of a watercolor painting. The original image cannot be fixed; given enough subsequent exposure to the sun, it will fade permanently.

 

I first became interested in anthotypes as part of my work with historical photographic methods, and that interest only grew when I realized that anthotyping integrates two of my other passions, paper arts and gardening. In the creation of my anthotypes, I use plants and flowers grown in my own garden whenever possible.

 

Each anthotype is released as a limited edition of digital prints, laid without retouching on natural fine art matte paper. The original anthotype will not be sold as it will eventually fade away. 

Anthotype limited edition reproductions range in price from $25 - $100. Shipping included for orders over $150. Purchase in person at an art show or contact a light heist. Once you have determined which piece you would like, please contact me directly at [email protected] to confirm edition is still available before purchasing. 

May 2024 limited edition prints

Printed on 11x14 Fine Art Matte Natural Paper. Limited to three prints. Image is approximately 10x6 to allow a white border. Packaged with foam board in Krystal Seal Art Bag. $50 each. 

Cedar on Spinach

  • Organic spinach leaves & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • SOLD OUT

Amaranth on Butterfly Pea Flower with wash

  • Butterfly Pea Flower Tea & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper. Then washed off & re-exposed
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • Edition 1/3 and 3/3 available 

Japanese Maple on Spinach

  • Organic spinach leaves & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • SOLD OUT

Swiss cheese on Spinach

  • Organic spinach leaves & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • Edition 3/3 available 

Cedar on Butterfly Pea Flower with Borax

  • Butterfly Pea Flower & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper. Borax Wash then re-exposed
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • Edition 1/3 and 3/3 available 

Two Cedar on Spinach

  • Organic spinach leaves & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • Edition 1/3 available

Fern on Butterfly Pea Flower

  • Butterfly Pea Flower & alcohol 
  • One coat on watercolor paper
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • Edition 2/3 and 3/3 available

Pineapple & Cedar on Spinach

  • Organic spinach leaves & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • Edition 1/3 available

Cedar Crow on Spinach

  • Organic spinach leaves & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • Edition 2/3 and 3/3 available 

Crow on Butterfly Pea Flower with Borax 

  • Butterfly Pea Flower & alcohol 
  • Three coats on watercolor paper. Borax Wash then re-exposed
  • Exposed in sunlight for one day in Pasco, WA
  • May 2024
  • Edition 2/3 available

June 2024 limited edition prints

Limited edition printed on Fine Art Matte Natural Paper.  Packaged with foam board in Krystal Seal Art Bag. 

Amaranth on Blackberry 

  • Blackberries & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 available
  • $50

Beet on Beet 

  • beets & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 available 
  • $50

Boston fern on Blackberry 

  • blackberries & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Limited Edition 2/3 available $50
  • 16x20 Limited Edition 2/3 and 3/3 available $75

Amaranth & Pineapple on Blackberry 

  • Blackberries & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 2/3, 3/3 available $50

Boston fern on Butterfly Pea Flower  

  • Butterfly Pea Flower & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 available $50

Calendula on Calendula & Beet  

  • Fresh Calendula & alcohol Exposed
  • Beet & alcohol over the exposed Calendula emulsion
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 2/3, 3/3 available $50

Carnation on Hibiscus  

  • Hibiscus & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Limited to three 8x10 prints
  • SOLD OUT

Carnation on Raspberry  

  • Fresh raspberries & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 available $50

Catnip & Cat Grass on Spinach  

  • Fresh Spinach & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 available $50

Fern on Beets & Stirfry Greens  

  • Fresh Beets with Stirfry Greens & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Limited to six printed on 8.5x11 Paper
  • Edition 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6 and 6/6 available $30

Lavender on Blackberry  

  • Fresh Blackberries & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 available $50

Lavender on Peaflower  

  • Butterfly Pea Flower & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 2/3 and 3/3 available $50

Lavender on Butterfly Pea Flower Deux  

  • Butterfly Pea Flower & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 2/3 available $50

Lavender Wine for Two on Blackberry  

  • Fresh Blackberries & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Limited to six printed on 8.5x11 Paper
  • Edition 3/6, 4/6, 5/6 and 6/6 available $25

Raspberry on Raspberry   

  • Fresh Raspberries & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Limited Edition 11x14 1/3 and 3/3 available $50
  • Limited Edition 16x20 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 available $75

Rosemary on Beets   

  • Beets & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Limited to six printed on 8.5x11 Paper
  • Edition 3/6, 4/6, 5/6 and 6/6 available $30

Shiso on Blackberry   

  • Blackberry & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Limited Edition 11x14 1/3 and 3/3 available $50
  • Limited Edition 16x20 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 available $75

Who I am (song by Wyn Starks)

I gotta be me, gotta be I

Gotta be who I know I am inside

Can finally breathe, taking it in

Look at me flying!

  • Mixed organic & alcohol with Borax Wash
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Limited Edition 11x14 2/3 and 3/3 available $50
  • Limited Edition 16x20  2/3 and 3/3 available $75

Zuki in the garden on Sencha   

  • Sencha (green tea) & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight in June 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 3/3 available $50

July 2024

Carrot & Kale on Huckleberry 

  • Huckleberry & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight for 2 days in July 2024. Pasco, WA
  • 11x14 Edition 2/3 and 3/3 available $50

Dragonfly & Carnation on Huckleberry 

  • Huckleberry & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight for 3 days in July 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Limited Edition 11x14 2/3 and 3/3 available $50
  • Limited Edition 16x20 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 available $75

Open Edition & Affirmation Set

a butterfly bush on huckleberry 

  • Huckleberry & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight for 5 days in July 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Open Edition. 8.5x11 $20 and 11x14 $35

Amaranth on huckleberry 

  • Huckleberry & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight for 4 days in July 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Open Edition. 8.5x11 $20 and 11x14 $35

bunnies on parade 

  • Huckleberry & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight for 5 days in July 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Open Edition. 8.5x11 $20 and 11x14 $35

butterfly bush on huckleberry  

  • Huckleberry & alcohol 
  • Exposed in sunlight for 5 days in July 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Open Edition. 8.5x11 $20 and 11x14 $35

Open Heart  

  • Amaranth flowers & purified water left in sun for four days
  • Exposed in sunlight for 2 days in July 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Open Edition. 8.5x11 $20 and 11x14 $35

Peace  

  • Amaranth flowers & purified water left in sun for four days
  • Exposed in sunlight for 2 days in July 2024. Pasco, WA
  • Open Edition. 8.5x11 $20 and 11x14 $35

How to Create an Anthotype

In the creation of my anthotypes, I use plants and flowers grown in my own garden whenever possible.


The first step is to create an emulsion

Mix with a little alcohol & strain

Coat watercolor paper. Depending on the organic material, it could be 1-3 coats. 

Expose to sunlight. Exposure could take a few hours to a few weeks.