Lisa Undercoffler

Plant Monoprinting (AKA ecoprinting)

Because I love nature and its processes I'm always looking at the small details in my surroundings and will (sheepishly) admit I'm someone who picks up pretty leaves, interesting seed pods, feathers, etc. and saves them. So when a friend suggested a group activity around an article by artist Laura Ryan ("Boiled Books," Summer 2013 issue of PAGES magazine) I was intrigued, and the results were a revelation.

The following prints were my second attempt at the process, after further researching dye plants and paper types. Also I steamed the paper bundles rather than boiling them, which yielded more vibrant results, as did the use of hot press watercolor paper. Using various craft punches and scissors I cut up the leaves and onion skins to make small compositions. Plants used here included red & yellow onion skins, Eucalyptus and Loquat leaves & stems, Coreopsis, Amaranth and Rose petals/flowers & stems, and other miscellaneous plants.