Making Cyanotypes in the Sun

I've been taking advantage of the late summer sunshine to make some cyanotypes with some of the specimen I gathered and put in my flower press while in New Brunswick and some "volunteers" from my garden.

Proso millet cyanotype, 11" x 14" by Ele Willoughby

Proso millet cyanotype, 11" x 14" by Ele Willoughby

Wild Carrot and Other Wildflowers cyanotype, 11" x 14" by Ele Willoughby

Wild Carrot and Other Wildflowers cyanotype, 11" x 14" by Ele Willoughby

Two Ferns Cyanotype,  on handmade paper with a deckle edge, about 7.25" x 9.75"
by Ele Willoughby, 2025

Fern Leaf Cyanotype, on handmade paper with a deckle edge, about 7.25" x 9.75" 
by Ele Willoughby, 2025

Found Monarch Butterfly Wings, Wildflower and Leaves Cyanotype, on handmade paper with a deckle edge, about 7.25" x 9.75" by Ele Willoughby, 2025

Alberta

The symbols of Alberta, its provincial animal, the big horn sheep and its famous flower, the wild rose cover the hand-carved map of Alberta in this linocut. The block was inked 'à la poupée' (with different colours, green, pinks, yellow and gray-brown, in different areas) and printed by hand on lovely Japanese kozo (or mulberry) paper. Each print is 23.5 cm by 31.8 cm (9.25" by 12.5"). The print is one of a variable edition of eight.

It was obvious, despite the various symbols of the province from which to choose, that I needed to include the wild rose¹; the licence plate of every car in the province proclaims it to be 'Wild Rose Country'. While the provincial bird, the Great Horned Owl is a wonderful subject, its range stretches far beyond the province. The mammalian emblem, the Big Horned Sheep, on the other hand, gets its very name from Canada: Ovis canadensis. Also, I liked the idea of using the shape of the province to micmic its topography. So, I imagined a scene of looking through a wild rose bush on the prarie at the base of the foothills, west towards the mountains of the Rockies and the Big Horn Sheep.

I've had the great priviledge of having seen much of this country and having travelled from coast to coast. (I am still hoping to visit the third coast). I have visited Calgary several times, and flown over the province more times than I could count. I hope one day to be able to explore more of Alberta. I know there is much beauty yet for me to discover. One Week, for instance, convinced me that I need to go to Drumheller, "Dinosaur Capital of the World"! Plus, hardy friends keep moving to Edmonton.<sup>2

1</sup> No political overtones intended. I won't hold the, shall we say less-than-gay-positive party with the unexpectedly poetic name against the flower. The flower came first.

² Did you know they have summer and winter electrical tape there? Do you know why? Cause regular vinyl tape can freeze solid at -40^oC and cut like a knife. Or, at least so I've been told.

Scarborough Bluffs

Last weekend, we went to the Scarborough Bluffs. Despite having grown up in Toronto, I've never been there. I confess, living in the city, we sometimes have a 'there be dragons' attitude about anything east of say, the end of Queen St, or Warden at the utmost, though like most Canadians, we think it's reasonable to get in the car and drive for many hours to visit some other city, or the woods.

Anyhow, it is quite extraordinary. RJH let me use his old camera.

urban wetlands

All of this is well within the city. RJH wanted to go kayaking. There is a company which rents kayaks down at the beach, not far from here. We went to the water, but they weren't there. Not deterred, we continued past Old Mill to the Humber River, where there were kayaks and canoes for rent. Where we launched was noisy enough, what with the construction on the Bloor St bridge and the overpassing subway cars, but right away we could see kingfishers, moths, dragon and damselflies. While neither as quiet, not pristine as our paddle near Fredericton, earlier this summer, it was quite amazing how quickly the city disappeared. We passed the Humber Yatch Club, but only saw a couple of pleasurecrafts, a few canoes, another kayak and some fishermen. There were a few marshes to explore. RJH took the photos (of course). I had an instinct that I should not bring my camera in a kayak and I find it's best never to ignore instincts. I love turtles and was happy to see this muddy guy sunning himself. We veered some distance off the main course of the river into a secluded marsh, where we found many swans, water lilies, lily pads and this lovely egret. He remarked that we had a full 360 degree view of green. The tall reeds screened any sign of homes or roads, and dampened noise as well. We went most of the way down towards the lake, returning only when we could see the Lakeshore.

Now I have sore shoulders and sunburnt thighs, but it's great to remember how much wildlife manages to thrive here, and that wild spaces remain, for those who can't escape the city.



With a pun only Reynardin could love, RJH mailed me that photo with the subject line 'Egrets, I've had a few.'

High Park

Pictures from High Park, yesterday.










We had a visiting student from Victoria last week. Yesterday, we wandered around High Park all morning, then out west along the beach, past the butterfly sanctuary to Reconciliation Beach, and back. Then I made the group stop for brunch before continuing east along Queen W. By Gladstone I bailed, being somewhat exhausted. I happened upon Reynardin on my way home, which never happens. So, she invited me for dinner. :)

High Park