Sue Prints Plants

My introduction to nature printing

Are you familiar with the term “sensei?” It is the Japanese title for a revered teacher—a highly regarded or respected teacher. I met my sensei, Sonja Larsen, through an article she wrote in the April 1997 issue of Minnesota Horticulturist magazine (now named Northern Gardening). http://www.northerngardening.com/ Sonja wrote glowingly of the history of nature printing, selecting and pressing leaves, and how to print plants on paper and other surfaces.

I didn’t know what nature printing was, but after reading the article, I was enthusiastic. Nature printing combined two of my favorite interests—the out-of-doors and artistic media—with the added allure that I didn’t need to be an illustrator to make appealing prints.

I will always be grateful to Sonja Larsen for introducing me to nature printing, and for teaching me to print specimens from our yard, neighborhood, and travels.