Collaboration
I can’t tell you what a kick it is to collaborate with another artist. For me, the synergy that develops through the challenge of co-creating is so much fun, yielding art that’s unique and unexpected. I had the opportunity to collaborate with printmaker and photographer Sri Thumati as part of a two-woman show we had at the Inman Incubator Gallery in 2022 (you can see an article about our show in The Patch). This was an honor for me, because I am a long-time fan of Sri’s work, and have three of her Cyanotypes hanging on the walls of my home! In this article, I’ve invited Sri to join me in reflecting on our collaboration.
This collaboration was your brainchild, Sri. What made you think of collaborating to make this series?
Sri Thumati: I've always admired the precision and skill of your work, Allison. In my creative process, I try to work with different materials and juxtapose them to make a compelling image. It becomes even more interesting to see how two very separate mediums work together. I love the flow of your work and I thought it would blend beautifully with Cyanotype backgrounds.
Allison Caplin: You saw something that I hadn’t considered, Sri! I was so excited to say “yes” to this project.
Sri set the ball in motion by creating a series of three one-of-a-kind Cyanotypes for me to use as canvases for my dot mandalas. For those who don’t know, Cyanotype is a unique photographic process using the sun’s rays or UV light.
Cyanotype by Sri Thumati; Dot Mandala by the Author
What was your experience in making those Cyanotypes?
ST: I wanted to keep it simple and provide a background that acts as a vehicle for something outside of itself, but also enhances the final result. It felt necessary to include spaces in the image that held the energy for the dot mandalas.
AC: Each Cyanotype you created was so beautiful and unique, Sri. Honestly, it was a bit of a hurdle for me to get comfortable with the concept of painting on your work.
After handing off her Cyanotypes to me, I incubated on Sri’s work for some weeks. My collaboration mantra was, “How can I enhance Sri’s Cyanotypes…and how can the Cyanotypes help my work shine”? I meditated on them…staring directly at them, gazing at them from across the room, giving them the side eye…until the Cyanotypes started to speak to me.
Since there would be zero room for mistakes once I started layering acrylic paint on the absorbent cotton paper, I made copies of Sri’s Cyanotypes. I felt comfortable exploring design and color possibilities on the copies, allowing me to vibe with abandon. As I painted, I played with that balance between collaboration vs. taking over Sri’s work. After each iteration of design, I cut out my dot mandalas and explored where they might work best on Sri’s originals. This process allowed me to refine the design and color to the point where I found how my work could become intrinsic within Sri’s work.
Next up…showing Sri the last draft of my design ideas.
What was it like seeing the dot mandalas within your Cyanotypes, Sri?
ST: It was mind blowing! You added a whole new dimension to the Cyanotypes that went above anything I could imagine!
AC: Thanks, Sri! Clearly, our approaches meshed so well together, as you had known all along. It was exciting to see!
After getting Sri’s thumbs up, it was “go” time. Having gained a sense of mastery from practicing each design repeatedly, I let go of the fear that I might screw up. Once I began painting on Sri’s original Cyanotypes, I worked quickly with a confident, steady hand that comes from repetition.
What were your thoughts on the finished product?
Cyanotype by Sri Thumati; Painting by the Author
ST: There is so much value in one artist putting their faith in another, with a collaboration of this sort. I think that faith in each other's work comes through. These pieces of art are unique in the way they present themselves. The blend of gold and blue or silver and blue is so seamlessly energetic. These are very special pieces that will wait out the perfect place to call home.
AC: Absolutely. It was a pleasure collaborating on this series with you!
