Seahorse Art Studios, Isle-of-Wight

Workshops | Open Studios

Art Courses

Boris is the resident artist at Seahorses, . As well as years of experience in watercolours, modelling and sculpture, he has given many courses to groups of varying abilities, including those with learning difficulties.

Boris gives courses to local adults and children in our art and craft studios. Courses can also be offered to Seahorses guests to suit their needs whilst on holiday, subject to Boris' availability.

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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).

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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.

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Seahorses 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).

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.

This was the fired-up, after which the basket, mud and leaves collapsed leaving a hard clay layer (inside of the oven).

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.

This layer was then added as a thick 3" layer of insulating material.

Finally we added the last clay/sand mixture and fired up once again.

Later, we added some coats of linseed oil to help weather proof the oven.

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.

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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.

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