Japanese Maple

Japanese Maple
Original Embellished Cyanotype on Watercolor Paper (11” x 14”), matted to 16” x 20”
 
Japanese Maple is a deeply personal and unexpectedly striking cyanotype that captures the delicate elegance of one of nature’s most graceful trees. Though the original exposure left the branch faint, raised gold foil was meticulously applied to draw in the slender lines of the Japanese maple’s branch and leaves—beautifully mimicking their intricate, lace-like form.
 
The area directly surrounding the leaves remains crisp white, typical of a cyanotype, and the gold foil outlines shimmer vividly against it. The rest of the background is a soft, smoky blue with a fluid, watery feel. Subtle bubble shapes and delicate creases in the paper add a beautifully aged effect, creating natural white veining that enhances the overall texture and mood of the piece.
 
Signed, sealed, and matted in white to 16” x 20”, Japanese Maple is a quiet testament to resilience, transformation, and the magic that can arise when you lean into the unexpected.