Jambeiro-vermelho tree, common (Syzygium jambolanum) anthotype by Juliana A Hirayama

“Summer Days” by Juliana A Hirayama, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Parts used: Petals and stem
Amount: A handful for each print
Extracted by: Maceration with mortar and pestle by hand, then filter it to separate only the liquid part
Thinner: Alcohol isopropyl 99,8%
Application: Brushing

Layers: 3
Substrate: Canson white watercolour textured paper, 300 gsm
Created with: The image was created from items collected on a street walk at the end of a sunny morning. They are flowers, petals, and leaves of the season picked by my 1-year-old son during our first summer in Rio de Janeiro
Exposure: 3 cloudy days in January, summer 2024
UV strength 11
Temperature: 22-28° Celsius
Humidity: 80-100%
Contrast: ✿ (Low)
Challenges or observations: The petals and stamens of the Jambo flower have a very vibrant pink colour. After maceration, the colour undergoes a rapid oxidation process and quickly loses its vibrant hue, becoming somewhat greyish. After applying three layers to the paper, the pink turns more greyish and a bit yellow. Despite the very vivid colour in its natural state, it diminishes during extraction and does not result in a pigment with good contrast.
Additional information: The flowers fall all over the ground around the tree, forming an impressive carpet. The flowers are extremely pink and vibrant, leading us to believe that the extracted pigment will have the same hue. I believe this process aligns perfectly with anthotypes, as it is a printing technique with temporary beauty.
Instagram: @juhirayama  and  @ju_hirayama
Facebook: facebook.com/julianaphirayama