Projects and Events
Becca's mosaic
Created by Becca from Freshwater Bay this jewellery box lid has been totally transformed into something unique and almost priceless!
Becca's mosaic
Freshwater Lifeboat fundraising mosaic
This project, which has already started, has the aim to raise well over £7000 by selling small 5 X 5cm squares at £10 each. After only two Lifeboat Open Days at Freshwater promenade where the mosaic was on show and the general public were invited to join in, the project has already raised over a thousand pounds! The theme of the mosaic, which measures 90x180cm, is a dramatic air/sea rescue en-titled ‘after the storm’. If you are interested in funding please donate via the Lifeboat shop at the Bay or come to the Seahorses Art Studio and have a go at helping to complete the mosaic. Accompanying photos show the mosaic in progress; when it is complete the Seahorses Art Studio Facebook will show a photo of the finished work.
Group work at the Studio
Giving a helping hand
Silk Painting and Mosaic Box
Both by Anna (B&B guest)
'Rainbow Pattern' coloured silk painting
'Moon and Lake' Mosaic Box
Sketches of Seahorses B&B by a guest
This selection of water-colour sketches have been recently done by Guy Minter whilst on holiday at Seahorses…..obviously a very accomplished artist!
Dreamtime
LIMITED EDITION PRINTS FOR SALE. These high quality Giclee limited edition prints are of an original by Boris Moscoff. Title: ‘Dreamtime’ (2011). Size: 39”x39” (printed onto watercolour paper 52.5” square). Price: £60:00 plus postage and packing (each print will be rolled into a tube) . Each copy numbered, signed and dated by the Boris. If you are interested e-mail Boris: seahorses-iow@tiscali.co.uk for details. All proceeds go towards the running costs of Seahorses Art Studio.
Dreamtime
Silken Seahorse
This charming silk painting was recently done by a Mother and Daughter on holiday.
St. Michael House Sign
This stained glass project was done at the Seahorses Art Studio by a holiday group from the newly built St. Michaels House at Delrow Community near Watford.
Flora & Fauna Information Boards
These two boards were commissioned from the Freshwater Village Association and the Freshwater Bay Associations respectively. Grant funding came through the West Wight Landscape Partnership as part of the National Lottery. The aim of the boards is to highlight the unique diversity of the flora and fauna on the walk between Freshwater Bay and Yarmouth and also the Bay area itself. The Bay board was executed in watercolour and the Freshwater Way footpath board was done in pastel. After completion the original artwork was photographed in high resolution and then printed onto all-weather board. The board adjacent to the public footpath on Freshwater Way was mounted on a stand constructed of re-claimed oak by local joiner Paul Pullen (see photo). The original artwork concepts and design was executed by Boris with lots of help from Jane and also Fiona. High quality copies can be ordered in either full-size or smaller sizes from Seahorses Art Studio. If you are interested please e-mail boris@seahorsesisleofwight.com. Profits to the Seahorses Charity assisting adults with learning disabilities and also to the Freshwater Village Association Wildlife Group.
Paul, the joiner, showing the framed board.
The fully framed and erected board.
Jane helping with the original pastel work.
Details from the watercolour original done for Freshwater Bay.
Details from the watercolour original done for Freshwater Bay.
Mosaic for Sea-Palms
A recently completed commission for David and Beverley at 'Sea-Palms' (across the road from Seahorses). The mosaic was completed by around five different people over about a month.It is placed on a special all-weather concrete based board to prevent warping and wear from the severe S.W. gales we often experience on the Island.
Dreamtime
Angels and Snowmen
Thankyou to Guy Minter for decorating the windows of Seahorses with angels and magical winter scenes to lift the spirits of our guests and visitors over the festive period. Guy uses ordinary poster paint which is rolled on and then 'taken away' with a selection of art instruments which is sort of 'scrafitti' technique. We love them.
Guy Minter
T-Shirt Printing
Here is an example of the popular T-shirt printing done at Seahorses Art Studio
Papier Mache Work
Gold & Plum Papier Mache Bowl
Papier mache is a very relaxing activity which cannot be hurried…a bit like ironing! Firstly there is the paper tearing, followed by the the pieces being glued in a criss-cross weave, sometimes up to 20 pieces thick, then the drying stage followed by the decorating etc The pieces shown here were made using different sized buoys washed up on local beaches after storms. The buoys were used as a mould for these spectacular bowls created by local people using the Art Studio.
Papier Mache Silk Bowl
Blue Papier Mache Bowl
Spiral
A stained-glass piece using the copper foil method. Designed and created by Catherine at Seahorses Art Studio.
Spiral by Catherine
Lemniscate of Light
The Lantern Community once again created a lovely Advent celebration. Accompanied by Christmas carols together with shared voices, recorders and a lyre, slowly the room filled with increasing light as two individuals met in the middle of the lemniscate, exchanged their lit candles placed within an apple, which were then placed in the moss and crystal garden (moss, crystals and apples as a memory of the paradise garden). The event was a wonderful doorway into Advent and Christmastide which, in contrast to the commercialisation around, was full of the atmosphere of artistry, reverence and awe.
Video
Latest Painting by Boris
Title: 'Sea-dawn'
size: 80 x 100 cm.
Media: mixed.
Price: £350:00.
(donated to Lantern Retreat Charity assisting adults with learning differences)
'Sea-dawn' by Boris
'Sea-dawn' close up photos
Also available as limited edition full-size prints (1/50) Price on request.
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Autumn Leaves
During a recent Family Forum Day at the Lantern Community a group painting session was enjoyed by all with the theme of autumn leaves. The colourful results have been hung banner style in the Lantern centre for all visitors to admire
Gnomes!
Many people ask about the origin of the wooden gnomes which
occasionally walk out of the seahorses studio / workshops, usually around
Christmas time….so here is a short version.
Christmas gnomes are very
popular in Scandinavia, Northern and Central Europe, but there are still
a few people in the British Isles who cannot celebrate Christmas without
a few around.
Long known about in legends and fairy tales and still
experienced by those with special faculties even today, Gnomes are
connected with the mineral kingdoms especially crystal and metallic
seams running through the earth.
The gnomes which are produced at Seahorses have their origin in Russia (a story too long to tell here).
They were originally created to help some English teachers from Sergei Passad to be able to travel to England for the first time….thousands were sold for this purpose.
Even now, every Advent, some gnomes are produced using Russian birch, felt and watercolours.
Some are sold in the Lantern Community Shop near Ringwood, others find their way to individual admirers…last year some found their way into a toy and gift catalogue. If you badly need a friendship gnome let us know, maybe we can help!
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Scarecrow!
This project was initiated in response to a need of our vegetable garden re; a pigeon problem, especially in the springtime. As you can see by the result, it is a very unique scarecrow! Thankyou, Michelle, for taking on this interesting project in such a creative way… mind you, Boris 'lost' his jacket, tie and boots in the process!
Poetry, stories and Pumpkin Soup
A magical and humorous evening of poems and anecdotes relating to Halloween and Autumn. On display were some fantastic carved pumpkin heads, cut-out bats and witches. Delicious pumkin soup and pie were served as well as bread and pizza from the clay oven. Thankyou to all the contributers and helpers!
Head of Greenman
Sarah wished to create her own 'Greenman' for the garden. She first modelled the head in clay and then cast the negative mould in plaster, after which a positive cast was made… this was then painted in acrylic to make it waterproof. If the plaster version deteriorates over time, she can still make a concrete version.
Modelling Venus Figurines
These figures were modelled by a group of Eurythmy students training in North Yorkshire. Part of the four year training in Art History is the expression of changing consciousness in Humankind's development. The figurines are based on the 'venus' figures found in central Europe which are approximately 20-30,000 years old.
Also shown is an example of a copy done by one of the students, in pastel, of art done by the cave painters.
Full Moon Equinox Evening
On the 23rd September the Art Studio hosted a Full Moon Equinox evening. All the participants wore beautifully decorated hats with berries and flowers etc. and sat around the tables in the Art Studio telling poems and stories by candle light. Everyone contributed some food and drink; butternut squash soup, homemade humos and, with the help of our clay oven, pizzas, jacket potatoes and garlic bread etc.
Some of the equinox guests
The highlight of the evening was a performance by James of some fire juggling! This was done in our car park under the light of the full moon. Most impressive and memorable, thank you James.
James painting with light!
The evening was a great success and will definitely be repeated next year. Thankyou to Sarah who arranged the whole thing. Last year we had a Lantern Evening on the 11th of November which was also successful in spite of the gale which accompanied it. It seems that maybe story-telling, a fire, poems, wholesome food, music and warm human company are the ingredients necessary for community building.
Back to contentsHen Party Event
The Art Studio was asked to host an artistic event for seventeen 'hens', and we decided on a group project. The accepted design was based on an idyllic scene showing a bay surrounded by mountains with swallows, daisies, cliffs, beach and a 'tree of life'. The group began work after a buffet lunch, and after four hours had still not completed the project, which the Studio is now finishing! The three panels, when completed, will be installed on a wall in the garden of the newly married couple.
Hen party
The bride and groom working on the mosiac
The first of three panels
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Open Studios 2010
Seahorses Art Studios was open to the public, as are other studios on the Island, from the 16th-19th July. Open Studios is a yearly event, supported by the IOW Council, which aims to give the general public an opportunity to experience the working environment of an Art or Craft Studio. Seahorses has been part of this initiative for a few years now and also takes the opportunity to combine this with a general Open Day, where people can look around the gardens, house and meet some of our companions and co-workers connected with our supported living of adults with learning disabilities.
Raku workshop with Endre
Basket workshop with Martin
Barbeque guests
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Modelling and Casting a Greek Head
This was a recent project involving the second year Eurthmy students at Botton Village Camphill Community. One of our tasks, whilst studying together the Ancient Greek culture and consciousness, was to model a profile relief in clay. The next step involved learning how to cast in plaster first a negative and then a postive. This practical project ran parallel to the daily study and was a good balance to the more cerebral activity. The week-long block course was followed up later with a visit by the group to the British Museum to observe the actual Parthenon sculptures.
Proud of the clay original!
Clay original taken out of the 1st cast
Taking the clay original from the 1st cast
A beeswax cast
A 'positive' plaster cast
Plaster cast of an early Ancient greek profile
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Re-cycled driftwood birds & fish
This is an on-going project which we do for a local Gallery at Yarmouth. Driftwood is collected at the high-water mark, especially after gales, and transformed into birds (waders, gulls and terns) and fishes (mainly mackerel). The work is done at Seahorses Art Studio with the help of Richard and Anne (both of whom have learning disabilities).
Driftwood Waders
Locals, who use the Studio, also bring in material, so we are very rarely short of driftwood! Last season we couldn't keep up with demand from the gallery, so in 2010 we intend to build up a stock in the winter months so this doesn't happen again.
Terns and Mackerel
All proceeds go towards helping with the Art Studio costs.
Driftwood Mackerel
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Ibis commission
This project was the result of a commission from someone in a village in N.Yorkshire who wished to name their cottage Ibis, after the famous Egyptian species of this bird. I was given complete freedom of approach, so I decided to use stained glass instead of mosaic, as the colour choices were better suited to the subject. I was shown the modern architectural background of rough wood vertical planks, which gave me the idea for the best size for the name plaque. The plaque was delivered in Sept.'09 and has, apparently, been much appreciated.
Ibis
Ibis Detail
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Lantern making
This was an Autumn project under the direction of Michelle, who guided groups and individuals in the art of creating willow lanterns. Lanterns both very large and small started to take shape using beautifully coloured japanese rice and silk papers stretched over delicate willow frames. The culmination of the efforts was a St. Martins Lantern Evening on the 11th of November, when there was a Social Evening in the Art Studio. In spite of the wet and stormy weather, the soft glow of the lanterns together with the pizzas cooked in the newly made clay oven, made everyone feel cosy and 'illuminated' (unfortunately, the pics cannot capture the lovely colours).
A St. Martins Lantern
A lantern-making group with Michelle on the left
Michelle with the Dragonfly lantern
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Seaglass window
Here are a few photos of a recent commission. A lady from London had seen another one of our seaglass creations at a friend's house in Lyme Regis and tracked us down by asking the local gallery for our address. She wanted a similar, but smaller version, with a seahorse theme, as a gift for a friend who is apparently crazy on these magical creatures. So, after agreeing on a design and price etc. (all done via e-mail), we went to work. The last seahorse window was done by Chong from Thailand (who is now back in Bangkok); this time Dasa from Prague offered to learn a bit more about glasswork by helping with the commission.
What is 'seaglass'? As the name indicates, these are bits of broken glass beautifully formed into pebbles by the action of sea and sand. Mostly green and amber in colour, there are also whites and, more rarely, a range of blue colours as well.
Sea glass pebbles
We stick these pebbles onto the background glass using a special epoxy glue. As you can see in the photos, we also use glass paints and outliners to build up a composition. This is obviously not a traditional stained glass technique in the usual sense, as with other commissions, but another approach which is also enjoyable.
The glueing stage
Sticking the pebbles on
Dasa with the finished window
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History of art evenings at Seahorses
Over the last weeks Seahorses has been hosting History of Art sessions on a Tuesday evenings. Boris, who leads the evenings, has a rather panoramic approach (rather than academic) which gives emphasis to the changes of consciousness in mankind which, in turn, expresses itself in Art. So far the evenings have covered the following periods: The Magdalanians and Lascaux, the Neolithic period, the Ancient Egyptians, The Ancient Greeks, The Celts, Vikings and Anglo-Saxons, and the Byzantine and Romanesque periods. The sessions are informal in nature and encourage conversation and individual contributions. Each evening is followed by brief notes and refreshments.
Back to contentsSeahorses Clay Oven
Last autumn we decided to build a wood fired clay oven in our garden. Over three week-ends we first built the base (from an old storm water drain and some pavement slabs).
The base
Then, with a willow basket bowl turned up-side down, we filled it with mud followed by a layer of leaves then a first layer of a clay/sand mixture.
Making the willow basket
This was the fired-up, after which the basket, mud and leaves collapsed leaving a hard clay layer (inside of the oven).
The first inner clay layer covering the leaves and basket
Next we went to beach (Brooke Bay)once again to collect some more clay ready for the next layer of clay,sand and straw (cob) which we mixed thoroughly by stomping with our feet.
'Stomping' the cob mixture
This layer was then added as a thick 3" layer of insulating material.
Cob layer and wooden door
Finally we added the last clay/sand mixture and fired up once again.
Richard firing up the finished oven
Later, we added some coats of linseed oil to help weather proof the oven.
Firing up ready to bake
To date we have baked soda bread, wholemeal bread, pizza and cheese scone. The oven gives a lovely warmth which stays for many hours after the baking has finished. Thanks to Martin and Michelle who led the project and also to Anne, Richard and others who gave a hand when needed. At present we are about to build a simple shelter over the oven to protect it further from the torrential rains we have been having lately. We hope you enjoy the photos.
The finished product
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Raku sessions at Seahorses
Over the last couple of years Seahorses Art Studios have had some Raku 'fire-ups' with Edre Borbley-Bartis, a regular visitor from the Lantern Community near Ringwood. The last session was at the Open Studio event during August, when local visitors could enjoy the Raku process of quick firing and cooling with specially prepared low-fire glazes.
As with all Raku, the results were entirely unpredictable but always worth waiting for with anticipation.
Some of the stunning results
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Mackerel mosaic
Last summer Seahorses Art Studio was asked by the Freshwater Bay
Residents Association if it could help facilitate and organise a mosaic
triptych to be created by members of the Association members at Seahorses.
Once the design was agreed upon and all the materials ordered, lessons in
glass and mosaic cutting were given to all participants who then started.
The theme was mackerel chase
which gave lots of scope for an
individual approach for all participants.
Three finished panels ready to be installed at Freshwater Bay promenade shelter
If one looks closely, it is possible to see that each mackerel is different! The project is an expression of what is possible when a group of people get together to try and make a difference to our environment.
Close up of one of the installed panels