My Art Is Out in the World This July - and It Feels Pretty Great
Some months just surprise you. July has been one of those months for me, and I wanted to take a moment to share what's been happening on the art front because honestly, it's too exciting to keep to myself.
Two pieces of my artwork are now out in the world in ways they've never been before - one in a published book, and one hanging outdoors on a street banner in downtown Northampton. Seeing your work move beyond your own walls and into new spaces is something else entirely. Here's the full update.
A Cyanotype Print in a Published Book
One of my cyanotype pieces, "What Was Held," has been published in "Pure Inspiration #2: Colour" by Malin Fabbri. The full title is Techniques and Insights from Artists Working in Alternative Photographic Processes, and it is exactly what it sounds like - a beautiful, inspiring collection of work from artists who use historic photographic processes.
"What Was Held" is a duo-toned cyanotype print, and being included alongside so many talented artists in this format feels like a real honor. If you're curious about alternative photographic processes or just love checking out new, process-driven art, this book is worth a look.
Read more about the book and grab a copy here: alternativephotography.com/pure-inspiration-2
There's also a wonderful review of the book you can read here: https://www.alternativephotography.com/review-pure-inspiration-2-turboelice-magazine/
Detail of What Was Held Published in Pure Inspiration #2-Color Nikki Gardner by Malin Fabbri of Alternative Photography
A Street Banner in Downtown Northampton
The second piece of exciting news - my mixed media cyanotype "Orange Poppies" is now hanging as part of the juried Northampton Banner Project through the Northampton Center For the Arts in downtown Northampton, MA.
The banners hang along Pleasant Street and New South Street, and this year's 2026 edition includes 40 artists. My banner is near the Lumberyard on Pleasant Street and across from Catalpa Coffee, so if you find yourself downtown, keep an eye out for it.
The whole collection has this wonderful art scavenger hunt energy to it. All the work is full of color and it genuinely brightens up the street. Seeing "Orange Poppies" hung outdoors, in public, as part of a juried show - it's a cool experience I didn't fully anticipate until it was actually there.
Detail of Orange Poppies, Northampton Main Street Banner Project 2026, Pleasant Street (near the Lumberyard and Catalpa Coffee)
What's Coming Next
So yes - two pieces of art, one book and one banner, all in the same month. That's pretty great.
I'm currently working on more layered and toned prints, so there's more to come. And I'm also starting to dream up some in-person workshops, which I'm genuinely excited about.
If you want to follow along as those ideas take shape, the best place to do that is through my newsletter. That's where I share updates like these first, along with a closer look at the work I'm making.
Come Find the Work
If you're local to the Northampton area, go take a walk down Pleasant Street and New South Street and see the banners for yourself. It's a genuinely fun way to spend some time downtown, and the color in this year's collection is worth it.
And if you're interested in alternative photographic processes, I really do recommend picking up a copy of Pure Inspiration #2: Colour. It's a generous, beautiful book.
As always, you can find my work and follow along with what I'm creating over at nikkigardnerstudio.com. And if you want to be the first to hear about upcoming workshops or new prints, sign up for my newsletter - that's where the good stuff lands first.
Northampton Main Street Banner Project 2026, Pleasant Street (near the Lumberyard and Catalpa Coffee)
