Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) anthotype by Alexandra Whiteside

“Golden Toad” by Alexandra Whiteside
Country: Texas, USA
Parts used: Fresh root/rhizome, purchased online
Amount: Two dozen 1″-3″ chunks of fresh roots, chopped into thin slices (about 2 cups of material)
Extracted by: Simmering of mixture
Thinner: Distilled water and reagent-grade pure alcohols (ethanol; possibly some methanol)
Application: Brushing on paper with a mop watercolor brush

Layers: About 5
Substrate: Arches hot-pressed white cotton rag watercolour paper, 140 lb
Created with: Inkjet printed transparency (3 layers)
Exposure: 2-3 days outdoors in a contact printing frame, July, summer, 2023
Contrast: ✿✿ (Medium)
Challenges or observations: I washed and soaked roots to remove dirt and debris. I discarded this water; cut up and simmered the roots in a covered pot with just enough solvent (water/alcohol mixture) to cover the roots; added two pinches of Glauber’s salt and Kosher salt. I heated the mixture for several hours (careful not to let the water boil, and replacing any water lost in evaporation). Once the dye bath cooled, I poured the contents into a glass jar ; it will keep its freshness for 2-4 weeks if refrigerated or stored away from light at room temperature. More absorbent papers, such as Twinrocker handmade watercolour paper, resulted in a low-contrast image after weeks in the sun. The same occurred if I saturated the paper with too much dye. For best contrast, use a high-quality cotton rag paper with a smooth/well-sized surface (like the Arches HP); allow each layer of dye to dry fully before applying another coat; sandwich several copies of the inkjet transparencies to increase the opacity of the positive; expose the image for a relatively short period during exceptionally sunny and hot days.
Additional information: The sap from the roots is toxic (it contains a potent escharotic); ventilation and proper PPE are important! I coat my anthotypes with a thin layer of Renaissance Wax to protect them from water or humidity damage; using this technique and careful storage practices, I have noticed almost no fading in my anthotypes over time,
Instagram: @flavorful_quark