Description

RSVP by Fri, Nov 1 Cost per student to be calculated after signups received (probably about $5 – 7 each).

TAP – Traveling Art Project – is a way for GMAH families to explore new art techniques, either on their own or with friends. Instructions and supplies are in the TAP Box, which is passed from one family to the next on the signup list. Each family or group will have the box for 3 – 5 days that fit with their schedule.

Cyanotypes for The Butterfly Blueprint Project:

Cyanotypes are a beautiful way to work with sunlight and shapes on photo sensitive paper. For this project, you’ll create botanical themed prints with butterflies to display at Belmar Library in April.

Time Required to Complete Project: Prep time is a minimum of 30 – 60 min to gather and press materials. Block out two hours for the actual printing when you have the TAP box.

How it works:

1. Sign up now. Indicate your number of participants.
2. Get outside and gather grasses and any organic materials that look interesting for printing. Narrower items with lots of nooks and crannies on the edges work well, while large items like maple leaves don’t. Tip: You can start gathering now.
3. Press your items between waxed paper in books. This can be done anytime up to 24 hours in advance of your printing day and is essential for the quality of your cyanotypes.
4. Once everyone is signed up, I’ll let you know the cost. I’m aiming to keep it around $5 – 7 per student. Students will have a few smaller pieces of cyanotype paper to practice on and then at least 2 larger higher quality ones for the ‘real thing’.

What the box will include:

1. Cyanotype paper
2. Sheets of glass (approx 8 x 10, what you’d put in a picture frame, edges taped off for safety)
3. Cardboard sheets
4. Clothes pins
5. Small paper butterflies (you can also cut out your own)
6. Anything essential that I’ve forgotten to put on this list 🙂

What you need to provide:

1. Waxed paper
2. Weeds, flowers, ferns, etc.
3. Rags, paper towels

Background:

A huge thank you to Laurel Sprenger, artist and long-time GMAH member for her work that inspired this project. Laurel made the print that accompanies this post and also took pictures of the process and wrote out instructions for us. I’ll share the photos and instructions with everyone before we start. In the meantime, make sure you say thanks to Laurel if you see her around!

Cyanotypes were invented by Sir John Herschel in the 1800s. Herschel, among other things, came up with the process for blueprints… which fits perfectly with our Roots and Shoots project:

The Butterfly Blueprint – a Green Mountain Area Homeschoolers service-learning project through the Roots and Shoots program of the Jane Goodall Institute – is a mix of educational and service-learning opportunities around native butterfly populations from late August through October. Project work will be completed this fall with plans to present it to Lakewood and surrounding communities in the spring.