Original 3D paper-cut Cyanotype on handmade paper, hand-finished with
chemically painted, heat treated zinc leaf

Inspiration-
Bessie Coleman was a pioneer of the skies. Born in a world marked by racial and gender

limitations, she set her sights on the heavens, becoming the first African American and Native
American woman to earn an international pilot's license. With unwavering determination, she
overcame adversity, carving a path through the skies that would inspire generations to come.
A lightning rod for feminism and civil rights at the turn of the twentieth century, Bessie's
courage, ambition, and unyielding spirit transformed her into an aviator and a symbol of hope
and empowerment, reminding us that the sky is never the limit for those who dare to dream.
"Bessie Coleman: A Trailblazer Defying Gravity and Expectations"
In the annals of history, Bessie Coleman emerges as a beacon of feminism, challenging the
conventions of her time and rewriting the skies with her indomitable spirit. As a pioneering
aviator, she soared beyond the constraints of gender norms, shattering glass ceilings with every
fearless flight. This feminist icon navigated the firmament not only to quench her own thirst for
adventure but to quench the thirst for equality that countless women were longing for.

Bessie's journey was a symphony of empowerment, harmonizing the skies with the symposium
of women's rights. With each heartbeat, she beat back against societal norms, showing that a
woman's place was not just within four walls but within the limitless expanse of the sky. In a

world yearning for change, she stepped into the cockpit, transforming it into a stage for her bold
activism, teaching us that the skies, much like life's opportunities, are meant to be claimed by
all.

From the cotton fields of Texas to the clouds above, Bessie's legacy as a feminist trailblazer
soars eternally, reminding us that the winds of change are always at our backs, propelling us
forward toward equality and uncharted horizons.
Inspired by stories of World War I pilots and the idea of flying fascinated her. Denied entry to
aviation schools in the US: In the early 20th century, aviation schools in the United States did not
accept women or persons of colour. Undeterred, Bessie decided to go abroad to pursue her
dream of becoming a pilot.

In 1920, she moved to France to attend flight school, becoming the first woman of African
American and Native American descent to earn an international pilot's license from the
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Nicknamed "Brave Bessie": Bessie earned the nickname
"Brave Bessie" for her daring stunts and fearless approach to flying. She performed in airshows,
thrilling audiences with her aerobatic skills.

An advocate for racial equality: Bessie Coleman faced racial discrimination throughout her life
and career. She refused to participate in airshows that banned African American spectators and
spoke out against segregation in the United States. Bessie dreamed of opening a flight school
for women and people of colour, where she could teach others to fly. Tragically, she passed
away before she could realize this dream.

Technique-
On The Wings Of Courage (Bessie Soaring Over Starry Skies) was created by constructing a

hand-cut collage using female photographic portraiture, photographs and hand drawn
illustrations of birds to construct the haute couture gown symbolising flight. The bird studies
were predominantly drawn from specimens in the National Museum of Natural History and its
research library in Paris as a homage to Bessie’s time in Paris.
After coating the handmade paper with light-sensitive chemistry, it is left to dry in a dark room.
The large-scale negative is contact printed onto the paper by exposure to daylight (UV rays). The

print is then processed by thoroughly washing in water to remove any unexposed solution. It can
then be hung to dry, developing to full density Prussian blue after 24 hours.
Once dried, the bird pieces are cut out and mounted onto the base print to create a multi-layered,
3-dimensional collaged cyanotype. It is then hand finished with chemically painted, heat treated
zinc leaf to create the marbled hued effect.
By going beyond the blue, I am creating a majestic modern aesthetic to this antiquarian
photographic technique. I hand finish my pieces with precious and chemically treated metals to
enhance the textural quality of the surface, revealing hidden details and creating an evolving
luminous landscape. Allowing each separate element to support the others, not one
overpowering the other, adding depth and uncovering the non perfect surface beauty below.
Using naturally occurring chemicals, cotton and precious metals combined with the sun's rays
and water is one of the purest forms of photosensitive image making that has stood the
testament of time from its discovery in 1842.

Paper
Handmade recycled cotton rag paper
150- 320gsm / 100% Cotton Rag / Recycled / Acid Free / Medium Rough

Paper-
All my paper is handmade using cotton rags, they are ripped, blended and then made into

pulp, mixing in a binder of vegetarian gelatin before placing into a water trough ready to be
pulled into the paper moulds. The pulp sits on the mesh of the mould, the water is drained,
then the paper pulp sheet is laid in between felt sheets and weights are pressed on top to
draw out the excess water and help bind the fibres. Once the fibres adhere together the
sheets are hung to dry for a week or so until they are ready for use.
Each piece is constructed from scratch, fabricating the paper foundation from ripped and
pulped cotton rags, starting the life cycle, building up the layers. Giving a new lease of life to
an otherwise discarded material. Recycling, reusing, reinventing.
I celebrate the naturally occurring materials I use, the way they were so exquisitely made, letting

their organic textures emanate, the undulations of the paper sheets and the hand deckled
edges be seen.
Each piece of handmade paper is a work of art in itself, the recycled cotton rag pulp creates the
base structure upon which to let my pieces develop. I love watching the way the tones of the
cyanotype chemicals develop on the porous surfaces, the way they evolve during exposure to
natural sunlight and seeing the colour intensify when washing in water.

Dimensions
Framed: 12.2in frame diameter x 1.2in frame depth
Mount
We use float mounting for all of our framed cyanotypes. The artwork floats above a
snow-white 8001 mount board, to showcase the paper texture and deckled edging.

Framing
Framed artwork will arrive ready to hang.
Each circular frame is handmade in London.
All frames come with gallery spec, Artglass AR70 / 2mm anti-reflective/ 79% UV protected
glazing as standard.
If clients would like a bespoke frame, please let me know as I can have them made in
alternative colours, gilding and glazing options.