A cyanotype is a nineteenth-century camera-less photographic printing process that creates cyan-blue prints

(hence, the term “cyanotype.”) Two chemical solutions (ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide) are combined

and painted onto various papers.

These original cyanotypes by Holly Pobis are created using native Southwestern botanicals, which are arranged on the treated paper and exposed to sunlight. The prints are then placed in a water bath to develop the negative print. Some of the pieces are traditional cyanotypes, while others are “reverse” cyanotypes (the back side of the print is featured).

Papers used include watercolor paper, embossed wallpaper, and antique French script paper.