Create a single image or frame a series of pieces of solar art.
Line up yard clippings on your paper and use acrylic to keep your design from shifting.
By Michelle Kaufmann
Given a choice between watching TV and trying your hand at some art, the later is definitely the greener way to spend your free time. Art is not only a fun and creative way to express yourself but also consumes almost no energy compared to the majority of our favorite pastimes.
Unfortunately, some of the art supplies out there aren’t quite so green. Supplies like paint, glue and markers may contain toxic chemicals that pose potential health risks like burns or even lung damage. A beautiful and healthy alternative is solar art. A cross between science and art, this project allows you to create gorgeous natural prints by just using inexpensive sun-sensitive paper, water and the power of our planet’s greatest source of energy: the Sun.
Begin by choosing some natural elements from your garden that you think would make lovely prints – twigs, leaves, grass or whatever you can fine. You can’t really go wrong here so let your imagination run wild. You could plan to create a triptych and then find an element or motif to be repeated in each print. Keep in mind that thicker material like wood will create a stronger contrast than something more delicate like a leaf or petal.
VIDEO: See how to make your own solar art >>
Now to get started:
1. Set out something flat and sturdy like a baking sheet or cutting board so you can arrange your prints indoors and then easily move them outside.
2. Lay a piece of sun-sensitive paper on your surface and then arrange your garden clippings or other elements on top of it to form your design. At the end of the process, the areas you cover will remain white while the rest of the paper will turn a beautiful royal blue.
3. To protect your design from being blown away once it’s outdoors, lay a piece of acrylic on top. Some sun-sensitive paper will come with a piece of acrylic, but if yours doesn’t then just pick a piece up at the art store.
4. Set your print in sunny spot outside where it won’t be exposed to any shade. Leave it out there for about 5 minutes or however long it says to in the instructions that come with your paper. Feel free to experiment with shorter exposure times until you get a result you like.
5. Back inside, rinse your print in a water bath away from direct sunlight for about a minutes. Replace the water once it begins to discolor.
6. Let the print drip-dry for a minute or two and then set it out to dry flat for several hours or overnight.
7. Once you’ve made and dried all your prints, you can frame and hang them anywhere in your home.
Download a pdf of these directions from Michelle Kaufmann's blog >>
Provided by Michelle Kaufmann - http://www.michellekaufmann.com
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