Noel Ashton - Creativity with Purpose
For ourselves, for each other, and for the planet
Sculptor Creative Innovator Author Speaker Environmental Scientist Poet
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A Life of Creativity with Purpose
“Noel Ashton has the seeking mind of a scientist and the creative soul of an artist, and he brings these two facets together in a stunning offering for our modern world.​
By engaging both his scientific mind and the vehicles of language and art, he creates, and facilitates for others, the process of a transformative creative journey. Through the centre of Noel's life and work runs the emancipating theme of creativity with purpose, offering us opportunities to engage, encounter different perspectives, to reflect, and ultimately redefine our relationship to ourselves, to each other and to the natural world.”
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ELIZABETH CAIRNS
The Empowered Entrepreneur
'Your journey was fascinating, your artworks stunning and your talk powerful. What I love about you is you don't preach, you just talk from the heart.'
MICHAELA STRACHAN
NOEL'S (ALMOST) WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Nature’s Pathway
A unique opportunity to celebrate nature, and to explore what it means to live a more peaceful, gentler, nature connected life
There is a pathway into nature that takes us back to a place of restful silence, where butterflies and birdsong draw our attention to the gentle beauty of the moment.
And if we slowly walk this world awake, we will begin to remember a deeper sense of belonging within the wider living world, of becoming more of an integral part of life at its fullest expression.
So the dance of a butterfly or beautiful birdsong can become more than an experience, they are a healing tonic for each of us in a restless world, and a journey towards seeking a quieter, gentler and more mindful way of being.
One of my favourite times is late harvest, when the leaves start to brown and wither, and windfall apples cover the autumn ground. This is when the red admirals arrive to feast on this seasonal bounty, moving from fruit to fruit, and favouring those that have already been partially eaten by birds, as they make it easier for the butterflies to access the softer inner fruit below the skin...
A MELLOW FRUITFULNESS | 24 September 2024
Excerpts from the Newsletter...
There is something magical in the evening light as the sun heads towards the horizon, and the warmth it casts over the landscape shifting the greens and yellows to a softness that never ceases to inspire me, resulting in many paintings of this wonderful time of the day.
WALKING INTO THE EVENING | 30 July 2024
Excerpts from the Newsletter...
For over 35 years, Noel has been taking audiences on special journeys into nature by sharing his own quiet adventures and encounters in words, paintings, and sculpture. These are then combined with a dose of science and a hint of poetry to create a series of unique and engaging talks, books, exhibitions, and films.
Towards a gentler life...
Nature’s Pathway is an online guided journey where each week Noel selects one of these artworks and its story which is then emailed to his subscribers.
He has created this space and journey as a way to share what he has learnt along his pathway of integrating with nature. His artworks, symbolic sculptures, narratives, engaging stories, and insights are offered as a guide to help you towards a more meaningful connection not only to nature, but to also bring it in a meaningful way into your everyday life.
To find out more or to subscribe for free, please click on the link below :
Nature’s Pathway is published by The Journal of Mindful Nature
Exploring the wild edges of this beautiful land
NOEL'S CURRENT CREATIVE FOCUS
The Wild Edge
The anchor series of Natures Pathway
When I feel lost or unsettled
I return to the wild edge,
And here, amongst the butterflies and birds
The wildflowers and the trees
I find myself again.
For the past few years, Noel has been focusing his creative energy on exploring the idea and space of the wild edge, and this has resulted in a new series of special 12 x 12 inch paintings that capture his journey of finding the unseen, noticing the seen, and exploring the joy that connecting with the natural world offers each of us.
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An unfolding exploration of nature, one artwork at a time.
As the anchor series of Nature's Pathway, The Wild Edge offers you the chance to travel with Noel so that together you can explore an unseen world, from the gentle depths of the forest, the wild edges of rural landscapes, to the edge of the sea.
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Subscribe for weekly insights & inspiration
By subscribing to the Nature's Pathway newsletter, you will receive each new artwork and story of The Wild Edge as they are released.
The storytellers of Africa speak,
not that we shall listen,
but that we should remember.
But how can we remember
in a world that has forgotten so much?
Coming soon - a new series of public talks, online and in person.
From the remote landscapes of southern Africa, into the oceans with the great ocean travellers, the whales - to the wild edges of the English countryside. Noel brings his unique background as an artist, scientist, and storyteller to his offerings.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Creativity with Purpose in Action
Shaping thoughts, Creating journeys, Enabling change.
'My life should not be measured by the distance I have walked, but rather by the questions I have asked along the way. For they have given direction to my journey and offered meaning and purpose to my life.'
​This is the foundation that has made Noel Ashton’s voice so compelling, as it is from seeking answers and a better understanding of many of the social and environmental issues of our time that his programmes and creative initiatives evolved.
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This approach of thoughtful and heartfelt engagement has given form to many inspired initiatives, working with dynamic partners and organisations.
A selection of Noel's wildlife and cetacean initiatives through the years -
Sacred Ocean
Sculpture and Campaign launched with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
In the Field
Excursions, field courses, film + television roles and consulting, including for Warner Bros and ARD TV​
Mapungubwe Revisited
Launched in partnership with WWF-SA in support of their rhino conservation work.
Lectures, Courses, Talks
A range of public offerings, from training workshops, public talks, and courses. Noel is represented on the South African speaker's circuit.
The Whale Walk
Along with the well-known Whale Show, launched in partnership with IFAW-SA
Windows on the Oceans
Launched by Jonathan Oppenheimer, in partnership with The De Beers Group, Two Oceans Aquarium and IFAW
I have always admired (the Ashton's) passion for whales and dolphins, and their remarkable efforts to drum up urgently needed support for conservation efforts to look after them.
MARK CARWARDINE
I have been an Audio Visual producer for 20 years and have been involved in many presentations and Noel’s presentation on whales had me riveted from start to finish.
MIKE HEDDERMAN
A unique perspective of the extraordinary natural world around us, and inviting us to pause and share the experiences in this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.
AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC
