The song, the art teacher, sounds like it’s about a schoolgirl crushing on her art teacher. It’s really about a grown woman remembering her love for art. This is the era I feel I am in now. Rediscovering my love for creating art.
It was the last days of summer break for me. I was busy soaking in the last of the summer sun, and in between those rays of sunshine I managed to fit in some quick #hiddengem trips and some #soulrepairing art classes.
Let’s focus this blog on one of two art classes that I took at NanBop Farm. NanBop Farm is a working farm in Cadillac, MI. Not only a farm with real live animals and veggies, but also an event center hosting private events such as weddings and corporate parties, as well as public events. For example, every Thursday, during the summer months, they have a public event called The Gathering which features live music, arts and crafts vendors, food, and beverages.
At a recent Gathering at Nanbop a sun printing class was offered. This is where I admit that I have a bit of an addiction to cyanotype printing Reels on Facebook. It is really cool! Given the opportunity to take a class to learn how to make my own cyanotype prints was something that I just could not pass up.
The class was taught by 9&10 news’ Crafting with Katy. Cyanotype printing is not difficult. It is actually much easier than I expected it to be. Katy prepared watercolor paper with the cyanotype chemicals before we arrived (see supply list below). She had assorted flowers, plants, and other items for us to use on our sun prints. Each student received two printing papers. I prepared one and chose to save the other for the plants and flowers that I have in my own backyard.
The process:
- prepare the paper (or cloth) with cyanotype chemicals
- choose what you would like to print on your paper (This was probably the most difficult part for me. I wanted to print everything!)
- place a piece of glass on top of your creation, and clip it into place
- place your creation in the sun for 20 minutes (do a little shopping, chat with Katy because she’s delightful, relax, and enjoy the sunshine & music)
- after 20 minutes grab your print, remove the glass, and the plants, etc.
- rinse the paper thoroughly in plain water
- hang print to dry
As I mentioned above, cyanotype printing is quite easy, and even though it’s chemistry (sorry Mr. Hamilton my high school chemistry teacher) it was quite fun. You don’t need a lot of supplies, or skill (thank goodness) to create fantastic images. You only need paper (or fabric), cyanotype chemicals, water, and some flora from your backyard or some interesting ephemera from inside the house if you’re not “outdoorsy”. To make over 80 prints, the supplies will cost you around $31 + tax.
What started out as an empty nester’s need to fill time with something, has blossomed into fun Zen-like, soul cleansing experiences. Subscribe to my blog to keep up-to-date with all of my creative experiences!
Sun Printing Shopping List:
Cyanotype Printing Kit (for fabric & paper): https://amzn.to/3V4plxR
Watercolor paper: https://amzn.to/4cjl9jK
Books that I’m reading this week:
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth – I rated it 5/5 stars: https://amzn.to/3UNVlpX
The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner: https://amzn.to/4gAaQJq
**Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, if you click on a link and order something (at no additional cost to you, I might add), I may receive a commission. Please click and order! Momma needs to pay off her credit cards from her trip to Spain, AND has an addiction to ordering too many craft supplies!**
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