BioArt Studio: The Laboratory Canvas

Instruction Manual

Included in Kit

500ml HDPE Bottle
30ml Agar Powder Bottle
20x Sterile Petri Dishes
4x Wooden Stir Sticks
2 Pairs of Gloves
1 x 2 oz. Resin
1x 2 oz. Hardener
Jacquard Piñata Alcohol Inks:
- 1x Sunbright Yellow
- 1x Señorita Magenta
- 1x Sapphire Blue

You Provide

300ml Distilled Water
Disposable Cup

Phase 1: Creating the Agar Canvas

Goal: Prepare the nutrient-free gel base that allows the inks to bloom.

Sanitize: Clean your workspace and wear gloves.
Mix: Empty the agar powder into the media bottle.
Fill: Add 300ml distilled water.
Swirl: Replace the top on the bottle and use a swirling motion to mix the powder and water.
Vent: Tighten cap, then loosen one full turn.

⚠️ SAFETY FIRST: VENT THE CAP

Never heat with cap tightened. Always loosen one full turn before heating.

Option A: The Microwave (Fastest)

Heat on High (cap loose!) for 1 minute. Watch for foaming!
Remove (use mitt!) and swirl.
Heat in 30s bursts until liquid is semi-clear and bubbles are rising rapidly.
Use mitts when removing—bottle will be extremely hot!

Option B: Pressure Cooker (Most Sterile)

Place the bottle (cap loose!) into your pressure cooker with 1-2 inches of water.
Target a pressure of 15 PSI; alternatively, configure your pressure cooker to 'Normal' mode with a 'Low' pressure setting. Maintain for 10 minutes.
Allow the cooker to depressurize naturally before opening.
Use mitts when removing—bottle will be extremely hot!

Phase 2: Cooling & Plating

Goal: Transfer the liquid agar to Petri dishes before it solidifies.

Cool Down: While the lid cap is still loose, let sit until cool to the touch (~115°F / 45°C) for about 5 minutes. If it's still too hot to hold, use a mitt to follow the next step.
Pour: Gently swirl the bottle to re-mix. Open the Petri dish, fill the bottom of the dish (10-12ml), and replace the top.

Tip: Work Efficiently

Timing is critical for a successful bloom. Do not allow the agar solution to sit in the bottle for too long, and once poured, avoid letting it sit in the Petri dishes. You must apply the alcohol inks immediately while the agar is still in its liquid state; if the agar begins to gel, it will lose the fluid consistency required for the layered technique to work effectively.

Phase 3: Preparation & Artistic Inoculation

Surface Protection: Ensure all Petri dishes are placed on multiple layers of paper towel before beginning. Note: Alcohol inks are highly pigmented and will permanently stain most surfaces.

Goal: Utilize the fluid dynamics of alcohol inks to artistically simulate "microbial growth" and colony expansion.

Applying the Alcohol Inks: Layered Depth

This technique creates the most colorful results by building dimensions within the medium by following the Bio-Mixer Guide below.

The Foundation: Apply an initial layer of ink while the agar is still in its liquid state to create a soft, diffused background.

The Set: Allow the dishes to sit undisturbed for 35-45 minutes.
The Bloom: Once the gel has fully set, apply a second layer of ink on top to create high-contrast, defined blooms.

Final Setting Period: Allow the dishes to sit undisturbed for an additional 35–40 minutes before proceeding. It is essential to keep the lids on during this stage to protect the design. You may notice some minor "clumping" of the pigments as the agar solidifies; this is completely normal. The epoxy resin applied in the final phase will smooth these textures, resulting in a perfectly glossy, professional-grade seal.

Application Tips

Use Sunbright Yellow, Señorita Magenta, and Sapphire Blue.
Hold bottle vertically for controlled drops.
Observe branching dendritic patterns and growth ring effects.
Replace lid to protect from dust between steps.

Pro Tip: The Bio-Mixer Guide

Sunbright Yellow + Sapphire Blue: Creates vibrant "Cyanobacteria" greens.
Señorita Magenta + Sunbright Yellow: Mimics "Serratia" orange/red blooms.
Sapphire Blue + Señorita Magenta: Deep "Violacein" purples.
The "Ghost" Effect: Use a drop of clear alcohol (not included) to push colors outward, creating a hollow-centered colony.

Phase 4: The Resin Preservation

Goal: Seal the moisture into the agar so the art never dries out or shrinks.

Archiving Instructions

Level Check: Ensure your dishes are on a perfectly flat and protected surface.
The Mix: In a disposable cup, combine 2oz of Part A and 2oz of Part B epoxy resin.

Stir: Use your Wooden Stir Stick to mix slowly for about 1-2 minutes. Scrape the bottom and sides!
The Resin Flood Coat: Slowly dispense a small amount of the epoxy resin over your solidified ink art, beginning at the center of the dish and allowing the mixture to flow naturally toward the perimeter.

Even Coverage: Gently tilt and swirl the Petri dish in a circular motion until the resin reaches all edges evenly. Continue applying the epoxy resin across all the dishes until complete.

Cure: Remove any remaining condensation from the lids with a paper towel. Place the lids back on the dishes and let them sit for 24 hours.

Pro Tip: Perfect Leveling

If the resin does not reach the edges immediately, you may lift the dish and carefully manipulate the angle. Avoid using tools to "brush" the resin, as this may disturb the underlying ink patterns.