Thinking about August

As I was going through some papers I came across this leaf print I made last summer. The scan doesn't do it justice. Its from a Sycamore down along Shoal Creek at a place called Schermerhorn Park Nature Center in Cherokee County. I met with several other folks one warm morning in August to learn this leaf printing process from the county extension agent. Its an interesting process, and prints seem to last quite a long time. He had some that were over 20 years old. Im sure there are simpler ways but here how this is done.

equipment you will need : leaves (of course), an old racquet ball, a jar of Vaseline, an old metal spoon, a old tin can (tuna will do just nicely), a piece of old jeans (about 2 x2 inches), some matches, a few pieces of newspaper, some good typing or copy paper, mineral oil, two pieces of flat cardboard.

How to make a leaf print,

· Gather some leaves, find some shade.

. Lay out the materials on a flat location.
· Douse the jean piece in the mineral oil.
· Place the jean piece in the tin can, set it on the ground.

. Coat the cardboard with Vaseline, spread out a thin coat evenly on one side.
· Open a cold drink, if its August in Kansas its hot even in the shade.
· Light the jean piece in the can with the match, the fire will make a sooty flame.
· Hold the Vaseline side of the card board close to the flame, move it back and forth, soot will soon begin to condense on it.
· Get an even coat of soot on the card board, set it aside.
· Take a break, have another drink and listen for woodpeckers.
· Take the leaf and set it inside a piece of newspaper between two pages with the side you wish to print down.
· Insert the cardboard with the soot side up under the leaf.
· Close the newspaper.
· Roll the racquet ball on the newspaper to coat the leaf inside with lots of charcoal soot.
· Use the spoon to rub along the veins, not too hard though.
· Remove the leaf, save the cardboard for several more leaves.
· Place the leaf on the white paper soot side down.
· Repeat the rolling process with the ball and spoon inside a clean newspaper page to transfer the print.

You're done, admire the print and save it for a cold February day. It will help you to remember the warmth of an August day when you sat listening for woodpeckers in the shade of the Oaks, Sycamores and Hickories along Shoal Creek.