About Libby Mornement
Biography
{Cyan – o – type:- Derived from the Greek for Dark Blue Impression}
I am a contemporary Cyanotype Artist based in Corsham, Wiltshire, using one of the oldest and most environmentally friendly photographic processes, invented in Bath in 1842.
Cyanotype photography involves coating paper with iron solutions, creating a mildly photosensitive surface. After UV exposure and a water rinse, blocked light areas stay white, while exposed areas turn an insoluble 'Prussian Blue.'
Growing up I never dreamt of becoming an artist but I was really keen on Black and White Photography having been taught the craft of developing my own photographs by my Dad, and we had a little dark room set up in the family bathroom. However several years on, a serendipitous read about cyanotype opened my eyes to a world of blue.
And for me Blue is the colour of the elements, of freedom and tranquillity with its undeniable connection to water and the skies, and deeply reminiscent of my childhood beside the sea. Growing up on the South Devon coast, and going to school on the North East coast of Scotland I grew up in, around, and on the sea with its 180 degree horizons and huge, uninterrupted skies. Still drawn to water for its exhilaration and elemental simplicity wherever I am I will find a river, lake, tarn or loch to swim in as coldwater swimming remains a lifetime passion and now provides a real focal point and inspiration for my work.
Just 5 years after reading that article I am SO happy to say I now cyanotype full time with work sold from my own website held in private collections around the world, and I’ve even been filmed doing a cyanotype demonstration for the BBC.
Cyanotype photography involves coating paper with iron solutions, creating a mildly photosensitive surface. After UV exposure and a water rinse, blocked light areas stay white, while exposed areas turn an insoluble 'Prussian Blue.'
Growing up I never dreamt of becoming an artist but I was really keen on Black and White Photography having been taught the craft of developing my own photographs by my Dad, and we had a little dark room set up in the family bathroom. However several years on, a serendipitous read about cyanotype opened my eyes to a world of blue.
And for me Blue is the colour of the elements, of freedom and tranquillity with its undeniable connection to water and the skies, and deeply reminiscent of my childhood beside the sea. Growing up on the South Devon coast, and going to school on the North East coast of Scotland I grew up in, around, and on the sea with its 180 degree horizons and huge, uninterrupted skies. Still drawn to water for its exhilaration and elemental simplicity wherever I am I will find a river, lake, tarn or loch to swim in as coldwater swimming remains a lifetime passion and now provides a real focal point and inspiration for my work.
Just 5 years after reading that article I am SO happy to say I now cyanotype full time with work sold from my own website held in private collections around the world, and I’ve even been filmed doing a cyanotype demonstration for the BBC.
