"Clothesline"ClotheslineAndrea Matthies
Media: Cyanotype toned with Salvia mellifera aka “Black Sage”
Print Size: 10" x 7 ¼"
Price: $250
Clothesline
Marken, the Netherlands
This image of a clothesline in Marken, Netherlands, brings me back to my roots. As a first-generation American with deep ties to the Netherlands, I’ve always been drawn to the simplicity and efficiency of everyday life there. The clothesline, a humble yet powerful tool, is a reminder of how small, mindful actions can help preserve the Earth.
In a world where energy use and waste are major concerns, something as simple as air-drying clothes can make a difference. It’s a practice that cuts down on energy consumption and reduces our carbon footprints. The clothesline represents a return to slower, more sustainable practices, and it’s an image that reminds us of the impact of our everyday choices.
Artist Statement:
In creating this botanical body of work for “Earth Matters” my purpose was to explore the relationship between nature, art, and my emotional well-being through the medium of botanically toned cyanotypes. Each image is a reflection of time spent in nature—capturing the quiet beauty of small and often unseen flowers and foliage found just in my yard. Using natural toners such as oak gall, Camellia sinensis (Oolong tea), holy basil, and Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), I can transform my digital images and found plant matter into ethereal prints.
For me, this process is both artistic and meditative. By immersing myself in the act of identifying and gathering herbs, brewing, and toning, recognized nature not only as a subject but also as a collaborator. This search for shapes and light dancing with the plants serves as a reminder that even amidst overwhelming news and the pressures of daily life, a simple connection can provide a source of healing and renewal. Through these cyanotypes, I invite viewers to observe and discover the restorative power of the earth and the medicine it has to offer.
Andrea Matthies
In creating this botanical body of work for “Earth Matters” my purpose was to explore the relationship between nature, art, and my emotional well-being through the medium of botanically toned cyanotypes. Each image is a reflection of time spent in nature—capturing the quiet beauty of small and often unseen flowers and foliage found just in my yard. Using natural toners such as oak gall, Camellia sinensis (Oolong tea), holy basil, and Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), I can transform my digital images and found plant matter into ethereal prints.
For me, this process is both artistic and meditative. By immersing myself in the act of identifying and gathering herbs, brewing, and toning, recognized nature not only as a subject but also as a collaborator. This search for shapes and light dancing with the plants serves as a reminder that even amidst overwhelming news and the pressures of daily life, a simple connection can provide a source of healing and renewal. Through these cyanotypes, I invite viewers to observe and discover the restorative power of the earth and the medicine it has to offer.
Andrea Matthies
© The Photographer's Eye: A Creative Collective