Venue: Online
Dates: This workshop ran on Saturdays from Saturday 5th February 2022 until Saturday 26th February 2022.
Workshop Information
Course Outline
In this workshop we will explore and draw creatures from the ocean using a compass and ruler and freehand biomorphic movements. See the exciting course schedule below for more details.
This workshop will be led by Stephanie June Ellis. Stephanie is a travelling professional artist, author and founder of The Art Of Process School.
Through her workshops and retreats she engages with global communities offering wellbeing through the creative process with a focus on Sacred Geometry.
Primarily working with pen and ink on paper, her creative practice centres around geometric & biomorphic movements which aim to transcend viewers beyond the physical world and encourage a wider vision of awareness through universal patterns.
Course Breakdown
Introduction
Workshop begins with a slide presentation presented by Alice where she will discuss super cool information about the biology and function of these magical creatures connecting you to the wonder of the ocean. Stephane will introduce you to the fundamental principles of Sacred Geometry through a slide presentation and discussion connecting ocean life to human DNA and the planetary movements.
Diatoms
In this workshop you will explore a variety of radial & bilateral diatoms and their stunning complex geometric patterns
What are diatoms? ….. They’re so tiny & complex you can’t usually see them without a microscope, but despite their minuscule size, diatoms play a crucial role in one of the these single-celled algae are a type of plankton. They turn sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis, so they’re a vital component of ocean ecosystems — and of many freshwater ecosystems as well.
Somewhere between a fifth and a quarter of all photosynthesis on our planet is carried out by diatoms. That means that as much as a quarter of Earth’s oxygen comes from diatoms. Since humans and all other animals need oxygen to breathe, we all rely indirectly on diatoms to sustain us. By fixing carbon or converting it from carbon dioxide into sugar, diatoms also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere just as terrestrial plants do.
In the ocean, diatoms are eaten by tiny animals called zooplankton. Zooplankton in turn sustain larger organisms, like fish, so many animals in the ocean depend on diatoms either directly or indirectly for their survival. Diatoms are responsible for over 40 percent of photosynthesis in the world’s oceans, and without them, the ocean would be unable to support the amount of life that it does. ~ sciencing.com
Seastars
In this workshop we will explore seastars divine display of radial symmetry and their unique variations. Genus exploration includes the Iconaster longimanus, the ancient Luidia senegalensis, a nine-armed tropical sea star found in the western Atlantic Ocean, and the Culcita novaeguineae known as the Cushion Star found intropical warm waters in the Indo-Pacific.
Seashells
Exploring 4 proportional harmonies inspired from a selection of seashell formations with a focus on logarithmic spirals using the octagon, hexagon and the torus spiral. What are seashells and why are they important to the ecosystem?
Seashells are an important part fo the biological and geological process of beach stabilisation and creating important sediment.
They are materials for birds’ nests, a home or attachment surface for algae, sea grass, sponges and a host of other microorganisms.
Fish use them to hide from predators, and hermit crabs use them as temporary shelters. The removal of large shells and shell fragments also has the potential to alter the rate of shoreline erosion.
Crinoids ~ Brittle Stars, Sea Urchins, Basket and Feather Stars
These majestic creatures are part of the Echinodermata family which include sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, sand dollars, and brittle stars Echinodermata are so named owing to their spiny skin (from the Greek “echinos” meaning “spiny” and “dermos” meaning “skin”), and this phylum is a collection of about 7,000 described living species.
- Brittlestars, sometimes called serpent stars or ophiuroids, are closely related to starfish from the Ancient Greek word ‘Ophis’ meaning serpent. Over 2000 brittle stars live today. They have a tendency to display five-segment radial (pentaradial) symmetry.
- Feather Stars. These majestic creatures are faithful radiating flora of the ocean, which is most likely how this incredible creature received its name. Crinoidia is derived from ‘krinon’ which is Greek for the Lily. They have pentameral symmetry and can grow up to 200 arms. In this workshop we will draw a feather star foundation utilising 80 points.
- Basketstars are a taxon of brittle stars, or shall we say ~ a fancy ~ brittle star. In this workshop we will focus our geometric construction on the Gorgonocephalus, known as the Medusa Star. The scientific name comes from the Greek, gorgós meaning “dreaded” and -cephalus meaning “head”, and refers to the similarity between these stunning echinoids and the Gorgon’s head from Greek myth with its coiled serpents for hair. The Greek mythological hero Perseus beheaded the Gorgon Medusa; when Perseus later dropped Medusa’s head on the beach, her petrifying glance turned the nearby seaweed to stone, creating the first coral.
Timings
This workshop will start at 9:30am and finish by approximately 4pm.
Transferable Skills and Future Careers
All of our workshops give you a valuable chance to develop a range of transferable skills. This is a great workshop for anyone who is interested in learning some of the skills required for careers in: Conservation, Signwriting, Calligraphy, Fine Art, Illustration and Animation. (to name a few)
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible to apply you will need to be 14 – 19 years old during the dates of the workshop.
You should be creative and have an interest in the careers listed above, or similar areas. You should also have good hand-eye co-ordination.
In your application you should demonstrate a passion for working with your hands.
You must be able to attend every day of the workshop.
Please be sure that you have read our Eligibility Criteria and Applications section at the bottom of the Workshop page before applying.
Course Funding
Our workshops are fully-funded by generous sponsors. Places are limited, therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.
There are only 15 spaces available on this workshop. If the workshop becomes oversubscribed, we will close the application process early.
APPLICATIONS CLOSEDBack to the Previous Workshops list