CURRENT SMALL: A selection of current available small cyanotypes on paper, most with an emphasis on line.
Cyanotype is a process that creates a cyan blue print through exposure to UV light. It is a classic exposure process that has been around since the 1800s, however, Terri Dilling’s unique painterly approach transforms a traditional method into a contemporary expression. Dilling paints the cyanotype fluid onto high quality archival papers, similar to painting with ink. The work is exposed outside in the sun and then rinsed in water. After that, she uses a variety of toning methods and multiple exposure layers to achieve visual depth and variation within the medium.
Dilling works in several different series, each one with a meaning or metaphor at its root. For instance, the “Blue Strata Series” and “Blue Crossroads Series” involve draping and crossing lines that explore movement and balance. The "Blue Cluster Series” relates to organizational groupings and connections, the “Turn the Corner Series” is about facing change and new directions, and the “Blue Waves Series” evokes the movement of water. The work has a bold design, yet also contains complex layers and details.