Artist Annalise Neil creates surreal cyanotypes that blend photography, watercolor, and natural dyes from materials like wild strawberry leaf, oak gall, and chestnut. Her process involves hiking, photographing specimens, and translating them into cyanotypes mounted on hand-carved wooden panels. Her work is currently on view in exhibitions including "Fast Forward: Analog Photography as a Third Space" at the Los Angeles Center for Photography and "Sanguine Glimmers" at Hey Books! in San Diego. She is also a resident artist at Volcan Mountain Foundation in Julian, California.
This article matters because it highlights a growing trend in contemporary art where artists merge traditional photographic processes with sustainable, natural materials and mixed media. Neil's practice exemplifies how artists are re-engaging with analog techniques and ecological consciousness, creating work that invites contemplation about humanity's relationship with nature. Her use of botanical dyes and site-specific research reflects a broader shift toward environmentally aware art-making.