Creating Rachel Carson: Celebrating a Marine Conservation Pioneer

Creating this series involved extensive research into the marine life that Rachel Carson worked so hard to protect. My research began at the Grant Museum of Zoology in London, where I studied coral specimens and observed preserved marine species, such as seahorses and other creatures.

I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, where I saw the majestic marine life Carson passionately defended. These experiences informed the marine motifs in the artwork and evoked a renewed wonder in me for marine life.

I also visited the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, which is one of my favourite museums. I’m particularly drawn to the old-school dioramas (pictured below) that bring nature to life in such a timeless way.

In addition, I explored the Natural History Museum in London, the Horniman Museum in London, and the Royal Veterinary College in Camden, each providing deeper insights into the natural world and a closer look at the intricate beauty of these fragile ecosystems.

I’m lucky that my creative journey has taken me across the world. Whenever I’m in Paris, I always stop by Deyrolle, a unique store that feels like a museum. During one visit, I bought the shells used in the series. In the past, I’ve also purchased butterflies there, which were incorporated into the Margaret Fountaine and Maria Sibylla Merian series.

As with all my works celebrating women, I incorporate specific motifs that connect to the subject’s legacy. For the Rachel Carson tribute, marine life was central to the design. Fish, coral, and sea urchins—representative of her studies and passion for marine ecosystems—are layered into the artwork. These elements serve as a reflection of Carson’s connection to the sea and her tireless efforts to protect the environment. The combination of scientific and natural imagery highlights both her intellect and her reverence for the natural world.

After researching the subject, the creative process continues by sourcing imagery to create a collage as the foundation for the negative. For these works, I crafted a collage using hand-cut photographic portraits, scientific illustrations, and marine imagery.

Once complete, I incorporate hand-drawn graphic elements to finalise the design, which is then professionally printed at a large scale to form the negative.

Handmade paper is coated with light-sensitive chemicals, and the cyanotype process begins by exposing the negative to daylight. I create cyanotype prints for both the base and the individual elements that form the 3D cyanotype.

Once developed, each cyanotype element is meticulously hand-cut and layered onto the base, forming a multidimensional artwork. Some pieces are finished with 24-carat gold leaf to symbolise the beauty and fragility of the ecosystems Carson fought to protect.

Each cyanotype in each series is completely unique, and the character runs are limited. Once a series sells out, I often retire that specific character, adding to the exclusivity of the collection.

This series was partly developed in the Californian desert, where the environment naturally accelerated the cyanotype process. You can read more about how California’s sunlight and landscapes have increasingly influenced my work here.

' Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. '
Rachel Carson