Description
If you’ve spent time observing nature closely, you’ve likely noticed the spiral patterns that wind their way up pinecones and swirl around the faces of sunflowers. Jen, the instructor, has also been captivated by these recurring patterns in nature. This workshop was created out of her own curiosity about the relationship between mathematics and beauty in the natural world. For those who, like Jen, have said, ‘I’m not a math person,’ yet have been left breathless by the geometry visible in nature, this workshop offers a gentle introduction to mathematical concepts through inquiry, inspiration, and art-making. Participants will explore why nature seems to love hexagons, how pi relates to a river’s meander, and why snail shells, galaxies, whirlpools, and uncurling ferns all follow the same design. Finally, they’ll apply these patterns to their own artwork to create the kind of beauty that resonates deeply with us all.
About the Instructor
Jen Wozniak teaches Art and Field Studies at Springwater Environmental Sciences School in Oregon City, where she fans the flames of curiosity and creativity in young people. She holds a BFA in Printmaking from Pacific Northwest College of Art, yet her true “expertise” comes from approaching every fungus and feather with a beginner’s inquisitive awe. Jen’s nature journaling method helps adults circumvent self-judgement to engage the natural world with playful, childlike wonder again.
Materials List
You will need to bring:
Nature Journal:
Bring a journal that works for you. If shopping for a new one, look for a blank sketchbook labeled “multimedia” or designed to handle water media, with a firm cover and a size larger than 5 in. x 8 in. The instructor currently uses a 5.5 in. x 8.25 in. Hahnemühle Nostalgie Sketchbook with sewn binding and natural white multimedia paper (190 gsm, 80 pages).
Drawing pencils and erasers
Simple watercolor set:
Jenrecommends a set such as the Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketcher’s Pocket Set (Set of 12, Assorted Colors, Half Pans). She personally uses an old Koi Pocket Field Sketch Box, adding sap green, hooker’s green, and white gouache.
Water brush:
Jen uses the Pentel Arts Aquash 18mm, Fine Point Water Brush.
Fine-tip and/or brush pens, preferably waterproof:
Jen primarily uses a black Tombow Fudenosuke brush pen, along with black, pale gray, and sepia Micron pens (size 05).
A handful of colored pencils including yellow, cyan, and magenta.
Provided by instructors:
Fibonacci gauge
Handouts