Introducing Guest Artist Sarah Rafferty

Apr 20, 2019

Written by Rachel Marks

We are thrilled to introduce you to one of our two Guest Artists for 2019, Sarah Rafferty, the owner and artist behind Atwater Designs. Sarah has created the gorgeous Forest Fern cyanotype ketubah exclusively for Tallulah Ketubahs.

Forest Fern Ketubah by Guest Artist Sarah Rafferty | Atwater Designs for Tallulah Ketubahs

About creating this ketubah design Sarah said, "I'm delighted to have been asked to do this commission and am excited to have my work on the walls of couples reminding them of their special day. We called this ketubah "Forest Fern" because the design was made up of ferns I found in the woods. Being made at the end of February, ferns were not in full glory (at all) but I was lucky enough to find a few hidden gems!"

Forest Fern Ketubah by Guest Artist Sarah Rafferty | Atwater Designs for Tallulah Ketubahs

Sarah received her MFA in Book Arts and Printmaking from The University of the Arts. She currently lives in West Chester, PA with her husband John, dog Tallie, and Tigger the cat. In addition to running Atwater Designs, Sarah is a full-time photography professor at The Agnes Irwin School.

Through the non-silver/alternative photographic process known as the cyanotype, Sarah creates lensless photographs called photograms by placing a plant/specimen over coated light sensitive paper. After composing the image, it is exposed to the sun. What results is the silhouette of the plant in white against a rich Prussian blue background.

Single Feather, Cyanotype

Japanese Maple, Cyanotype

Forest Fern Ketubah by Guest Artist Sarah Rafferty | Atwater Designs for Tallulah Ketubahs

Feathers, Cyanotype

"My upbringing on Maryland’s Eastern Shore has informed much of my work to date. The natural world: water and wetlands have been the focus of my life and are at the very roots of my being. I am fascinated by the way the natural world informs our everyday, the mysteries that plants provide if we take the time to look closely, the abstract qualities of wetlands and the water’s edge and the peace that only the natural world can afford. Without the 'spaces in-between,' much of life would not exist as we know it. The transitional space has always held my attention and stands as a metaphor in my life on many levels. My latest works have been a study of plants that surround me in southeastern PA. I love tromping through the mud and muck in order to get the best specimen and consider it just as much a part of my creative process as the creation of each piece."

Sarah's home studio

You can find Sarah throughout the Spring and Summer at her market booth at the Clover Market in Bryn Mawr and at CRAFTED market at Eagleview, or you can visit her in her studio as part of the Chester County Studio Tours happening on May 18 and 19, 2019.

The Forest Fern Ketubah is available for purchase as an archival giclée print with the text of your choice in a Limited Edition of 15.

Forest Fern Cyanotype Ketubah by Guest Artist Sarah Rafferty | Atwater Designs for Tallulah Ketubahs

Forest Fern Ketubah by Guest Artist Sarah Rafferty | Atwater Designs for Tallulah Ketubahs

To keep up to date with Sarah's work you can follow her on Instagram or visit her at Atwater Designs. All Forest Fern Ketubah product photography by Brittani Elizabeth Photography.

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Introducing Guest Artist Sarah Rafferty

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