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Local Artist Kaitlyn Elphinstone: Highlighting the Fragility of our Oceans

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Local artist and environmentalist Kaitlyn Elphinstone is using her art as a platform to raise ocean awareness and start a discussion about environmental issues.  Some of the important environmental topics Kaitlyn’s artwork touches on are: the importance of coral, the disappearance of our coastlines, and plastic waste polluting our oceans.  Her unique artistic style is a beautiful merge between a range of mediums and her love for the ocean.  Kaitlyn uses her artwork as a powerful tool to communicate the strong connection we have to our environment and the impact we have on the planet.  Bold visuals with an elegant aesthetic, draws viewers into the beauty of her work.  As well as, to the underlying message that has been intricately interwoven into her artwork.  For instance, her piece ‘Woven Sea Fan and Plastic Bag’ beautifully articulates the growing issue of plastic invading the ocean and disrupting sea life.  The juxtaposition between a fragile sea fan and a plastic bag, serves as a reminder that the ocean’s ecosystems are fragile and the delicate balance can easily be disrupted by something as simple as the intrusion of a plastic bag.  Kaitlyn cleverly uses plastic in this piece of art to mimic the environment, commenting on the escalating issue of plastic taking over the ocean. This thought provoking piece begs us to examine our culture of consumerism and the environmental cost and impact we face.  It is said, that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Furthermore, plastic is said to be a stressor for coral reefs resulting in an increase of disease rates in various types of coral.  These concerning issues our oceans are facing circles back to the heart of Kaitlyn’s artwork, highlighting the fragility of our oceans and the importance of not allowing these issues to remain out-of-sight, out-of-mind, but to bring the reality of the situation to the forefront.  Calling for enacting sustainable solutions and practices.  It is vital that preservation of our coral reefs, sustainable practices and recycling becomes a priority.

Q&A with Kaitlyn Elphinstone

1. What inspired you to become an artist?

My Mother, Kathryn Elphinstone who’s also an artist and arts educator, made sure that my siblings and I grew up with access to a “craft cupboard” which had colouring materials, string, paper, beads, glue, paint, Popsicle sticks, all sorts of items to make things with. This freedom to be able to create without restrictions has definitely played a part in my development as an artist. I’ve had an art project on-the-go for as long as I can remember.

2. How would you describe your artistic style?

I’ve always loved working with materials, as you can see from my work. I use a range of mediums from photography to plastics to produce visual images that explore various environmental concepts and themes. I like to think of my work as contemporary in style – my style has many variations, I favour bold starkness, and I have no problems swinging from one extreme to the other on the color scale, although I really do love my ocean inspired blues.

3. What is the driving force of inspiration for your pieces which relate to the environment?

Our relationship with the environment is incredibly complex and can be difficult to articulate. Visual art plays an important role by offering a platform for discussion and can be a powerful tool to communicate what might be very difficult to put into words.

I think we have a pretty serious gap in recognising our connection to our natural environment. My work acts as reminder that wherever we are and whatever we do, we’re impacting the environment in ways we can barely imagine. We’re constantly trying to contain, organise, mange, and place value on our environments. That separateness we feel from natural environment scares me and I feel driven to talk about it through my work.

At the end of the day I want my work to have meaning, as well as be aesthetically pleasing. While design, texture, shape and form are important, if someone can look at my work and be impressed by its beauty and at the same time be moved by the underlying message that I am trying to convey then I feel I’ve been successful.

4. What do you find most interesting about exploring humanity’s relationship with the natural environment?

I’m always learning and discovering. For instance, while I was working on Crystal Beach Rock for the National Gallery’s exhibition Upon the Seas, I had never spent so much time looking at the patterns in coral. I mean, really looking. I placed thousands of Swarovski crystals into the patters of coral rocks to talk about the value we place on our coastlines and the disappearance of our coastal environments due to development and coral bleaching caused by global warming. I always knew there were different patterns but I never really knew there were, what seams like, endless variations. While visiting the ROM in Toronto this summer I spotted a coral display amongst the fossils and was amazed to see how slowly corals have evolved. Specimens from 12 million years ago looked like they had just washed up on the beach weeks ago – and now, how quickly corals reefs are disappearing.

5. Is there a quote or message you would like to share about the environment?

That’s easy – respect it. Not just when you’re out in the elements going for a hike or enjoying a day at the beach. There’s so much we can do as individuals in our day-to-day lives to show our respect for our environment.

6. Your pieces ‘Woven Sea Fan and Plastic Bag’, what story did you want to tell? And, what was the inspiration behind the piece?

Sadly, plastic debris in our oceans is a great problem for everyone. Using a sea fan and plastic grocery bags, I wove strips of plastic into the delicate coral structure imitating natural shapes and patterns. The plastic, mimicking the environment that it has invaded, sends a message about consumption while depicting a new form of colonization by consumerism. I wanted the work to raise ethical questions, trigger conversations concerning the preservation of our environment, and perhaps even inspire sustainable solutions.

7. Your piece ‘Traces’, what does that piece mean to you and what story did you want to tell? And, what inspired the piece?

Similar to Wove Sea Fan, Traces commented on discarded objects and manufactured goods. The work was constructed out of cables, discarded cords, speakers and a TV screen which held together bamboo branches as if it were a makeshift life raft. Created for the exhibition, The Art of Assemblage at the National Gallery the interactive work tied together a mishmash of found objects and debris to tell a story of the remnants we leave behind and possible “life raft” we will need to navigate the future. The wall installation included a sound element interviewing members of the public about objects they had discovered on the beach, a lot of which were… can you guess?

Photo Credit:

Kaitlyn Elphinstone

Earth Day: Upcycle Challenge

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Save Cayman is inviting the community of the Cayman Islands to join in an ‘Upcycle Challenge.’  Adults and youth can dive into their creative talents, by finding cleaver ways to upcycle and transform recycled materials.  “The challenge is to encourage the community to be creative and innovative and find new purposes for used and recycled materials! Much of what we throw away can find new lives, have new uses, and solve daily problems,” says Save Cayman.  The heart of this challenge will draw attention to how much items we use on a daily basis that can be recycled or even repurposed.  It encourages us to examine our consumer culture and think of innovative solutions to avoid materials ending up in a landfill.  Increasing the lifespan of items by repurposing them helps to offset the amount of items that would otherwise end up in a landfill.  The challenge to upcycle recyclable materials encourages us to find positive solutions and practices to help shift us away from a culture of using single-use disposable items.

Recycling Facts

Every wondered how many times cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles can be recycled?

  • Only 14% of plastic packaging can be recycled.
  • Aluminum can be recycled infinitely.
  • Glass can be recycled infinitely.
  • Metals can be recycled infinitely
  • Paper can be recycled 5-7 times.
  • Plastic can be recycled once or twice.  Plastic is often recycled into a fabric once it reaches a stage of no longer being recyclable. This fabric can then be used to create clothing and shoes.

Take The Challenge

Submission deadline is April 11th.

Submissions will be setup on April 13th for display at the Art Nest Studio, and showcased at the April Artisan Market on April 14th. Winners and prizes will be announced on April 22nd (Earth Day).

Rules:

1- Must be comprised of at least 90% used or recycled materials

2- Must not be larger than 1m2 nor smaller than 3 cm2

3- Maximum $10 limit on new materials to use in the project

4- Must be handmade by the applicant, not purchased or constructed by another party

5- May use inspiration (ex. Pinterest), however must credit sources. Note that points are awarded for creativity

6- Submission must include title, a 3 sentence max summary, applicant name/s, contact details, and list materials used.

7- May be submitted individually or as a group

8- Project must serve new use or purpose

If you have any questions, email savecayman.ky@gmail.com or call 345-922-4252 for more details.

Good luck!

Plastic Free Cayman: Beach Cleanup to help the Mangroves

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‘Plastic Free Cayman’, in collaboration with ‘Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman’ has been making a positive impact with their community beach cleanup initiative in the Cayman Islands.  Living in paradise, presents us with a moral responsibility as custodians of the beautiful Caribbean Sea filled with biodiverse coral reefs surrounding our island, to protect them and to keep plastic out of the ocean.  Since the inception of Plastic Free Cayman’s community cleanups over the last 7 months a whopping 7,583lbs of trash has been collected from various locations around our small island.  In February alone, 2,500lbs was collected at Safehaven.  In March, 1,000lbs of trash was collected by over 100 volunteers and local Cadets at the cleanup at Gun Bay.  In addition, JUNK joined the initiative by kindly collecting all recyclables.

Protecting the Mangroves

 

The next community cleanup is set for 21st April, at 8:00am, at Turnberry Drive, to focus on removing plastic waste found near the mangroves.  If you have a paddle board or kayak you can take part in joining volunteers paddling out from Red Sail Dock, to cleanup our beautiful mangroves.  For more event details, visit Plastic Free Cayman on Facebook, click here.

Mangroves play an important role in our environment as they create an important bridge connecting the land and sea.  Unlike many other plants that would deem salt water as a hostile environment, mangroves have an incredible ability to adapt to coastline areas and thrive near salt water.  Mangroves are largely known as being considered as a nursery for small fish, crabs, lobsters, shrimps, baby turtles, and juvenile fish.  Mangrove wetlands are an important habitat for birds, including the Cayman Parrot, fish and other marine species.  Mangroves also provide protection acting as a barrier for our coastlines during hurricanes.  Cayman’s mangroves include three types of mangroves typically found in Cayman’s wetlands and coastal areas including: red mangroves, black mangroves and white mangroves — all have their own unique characteristics and features.

About Plastic Free Cayman

Plastic Free Cayman is a community organization, with plans to be a Non for Profit, which encourages individuals and businesses to go plastic-free through awareness, education and action. In addition to beach cleanups, ‘Plastic Free Cayman’ has an ongoing campaign encouraging the community to refuse single-use plastics.  Their community beach cleanup initiative in partnership with Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman takes place monthly.  A different location is selected for the community cleanup.

Photo Credits: Plastic Free Cayman

Photo Credit: Red Mangroves, Ann Stafford, Cayman Nature

Get Unplugged and Reconnect with Nature

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Earth Hour is tomorrow!  A symbolic lights out event, taking place Saturday, 24 March from 8:30pm-9:30pm worldwide.  Committing to turning off unnecessary lights for Earth Hour, is a symbolic gesture of uniting in solidarity to raise awareness about climate change and environmental issues.  It is the perfect time to get unplugged and reconnect with nature.

On that note, here are some eco tips and a challenge for you this Earth Hour.  A great way to help the planet, lower your electricity bill and your carbon footprint, is by simply unplugging items not in use.  When items are plugged in that are not needed, or when your laptops or iPads are being charged longer than they need to be it is a waste of electricity.  This is known as phantom electricity.  When your smartphones, iPads, iPods and other devices are fully charged, unplug them.  It is an easy habit to forget about your devices that are in the charger and allow them to absorb more power than they need.

While on the topic of being unplugged, our daily lives are heavily consumed by our use of technology.  From the moment we wake up to just before we go to sleep, chances are we have checked our phones for messages, emails and posted on Instagram and other social media platforms.  There is nothing wrong with that, it is a part of our culture and a means of staying connected with friends and family.  That being said, there is nothing wrong with taking a little time away from our phones and social media.  Taking a challenge of incorporating a digital detox and social media detox from time to time can be a good thing.  The sky won’t come crashing down if you take an hour out of your day and disconnect from your smartphone, iPad, laptop and social media.  Spending copious amounts of time glued to our phones is not particularly healthy.  For instance, that white light projected from our electronic devices can really strain your eyes or even induce headaches.  Too much stimuli from technology could be causing us to become easily distracted, as we often have so much information being thrown at us from a multitude of platforms.  We are also probably finding ourselves skimming through articles, emails and messages because social media is conditioning us to read short bursts of information.  Our attention spans could be lessening.  A welcomed break from the digital overload can be a positive experience.  It presents a great opportunity to go outside and connect to nature.  Taking a break from technology and going for a swim in the ocean or hike through a nature reserve can be very beneficial.   Setting particular days and/or times to take a break from your phone, laptop, iPad and social media to simply get unplugged and reconnect with nature can be a very positive and rejuvenating experience.  It can allow you some time to recharge and clear your head.  Take the challenge this Earth Hour and embrace a digital detox and reconnect with nature.  Also, be mindful of electronic devices that are consuming unnecessary electricity, be sure to unplug devices once fully charged.

5 Ways to get Unplugged and Reconnect with Nature

Unplugged

 

 

 

Make a promise to yourself, to dedicate 15 mins to an hour each day to being disconnected from your smartphone and devices and spend some time reconnecting with nature.  Whether you choose to go for a walk with your dog, spend some time swimming at the beach or stargazing in your backyard, it will be so worth it.  It might seem like a hard challenge at first, but a little dedication goes a long way.  Start small, invite friends over for a coffee, tea or wine.  Have some good old fashioned “FaceTime” talking with friends one-on-one in person.  There is something to be said, to having a conversation with friends and family in person.  Yes, it is great to be able to text, email or FaceTime, but it doesn’t come close to bonding over great conversation in person.

Outdoor Dining & Smartphones in the basket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A great way to spend some time in nature is hosting a brunch, lunch or dinner party outside.  Nothing brings friends and family together like an amazing homemade meal.  To make that meal just a little bit more tasty and special, consider purchasing ingredients that are in season and available at your local farmers market.  Make it a simple rule, that smartphones are to be placed in a basket until everyone is done eating.  Of course, keep the basket near by, should someone be expecting an important call or may need to send an urgent message.

Games Night: Nature Edition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those of you who love a little healthy competition and have friends and family who love a good old fashioned games night, this one is for you.  If you have a pool deck with some fabulous lounge chairs, a porch, or some blankets and pillows then setup your games area outdoors.  It is super fun changing up the scenery, and playing your favorite board games, Jenga, Pictionary, and Charades outdoors.  To keep everyone off their phones, kindly ask everyone to place their phone in a basket until games night is over.  Again, of course, keep the basket near by, should someone be expecting an important call or may need to send an urgent message.

#Offline: Soak Up The Sun

Personally, I have made it a habit to go offline or off the grid over the weekend as much as possible.  It has made such a positive impact in my life.  My mind feels so much more clear and I feel recharged.  Whether you feel like sitting poolside and reading a good book or grab some friends together for a beach day, snorkel adventure with a picnic included.  All that time spent outdoors, away from your phone will be well worth it.  Life is about making memories and the little things.  I love to document my memories and post them on Instagram as much as anyone, but I am learning to take more mental Kodak moments, so to speak.

Do Not Disturb

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have an iPhone, schedule some time to switch your phone into “Do Not Disturb” mode and allow yourself to power-down before going to bed.  During that time, you can plan to head outdoors for a night swim in the pool, do a little stargazing, or read a book on your porch.

Top 5 Reasons To Love The Ocean

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Today is World Water Day, and in honor of that we are dedicating this post to showing some love for the ocean.  Our oceans are an incredible natural resource, one that we cannot take for granted.  We need healthy oceans to ensure our survival just as much as for the survival of the life that thrives in the ocean.  Major threats against our oceans include: plastic pollution that causes harm to marine life and coral reefs, climate change, rising ocean temperatures, icecaps melting, ocean acidification and coral bleaching, just to name a few.  Our oceans are invaluable as are the marine life and coral reefs that call the ocean home.  We can all do our part to contribute to helping protect our oceans.  Even committing to a simple act of taking part in beach cleanups regularly, removing plastic from beaches and the ocean will have a positive impact.  Other simple acts to show our love for the ocean include, wearing ocean-friendly sunscreen, being mindful of coral reefs (don’t touch them), and respect marine life.   There is probably a million and one reasons to love the ocean.  After all it is one of the most magical places on this planet.  Below the surface is a spectacular world all of its own.  A wondrous underwater world that is time well spent exploring.  Perhaps, the greatest reason of all to love our oceans is the fact that our oceans are the very heart of this planet.  The oceans are our greatest life-support system. Our oceans give so much.  The least we can do is give a little love back by protecting and respecting the ocean.

5 Reasons to love the ocean

1. It is an incredible natural resource

The ocean spans over 70 percent of our planet’s surface.  We are a blue planet.  Water is life, water is everything.

2.  It gives us the air we breathe

Every second breathe we take comes from the ocean.  Phytoplankton produces oxygen that enters our atmosphere.

3. It is place many call home.

There is an estimated 50-80% of all life on earth is found under the ocean surface.

4. Coral Reefs are considered to be equivalent to an underwater rainforest.

Reefs are incredibly biodiverse ecosystems.  They provide habitats and a food source for an array of marine life.

5.  It is heaven on earth

The ocean is heaven on earth.  For many, it is considered to be a sanctuary.  Never underestimate the healing benefits of swimming in the ocean.  The ocean has this unique ability to relax your mind and allow you to be fully present in the moment, letting all your worries fade away.  It has the power to rejuvenate your mind and spirit. Moreover, the underwater world is an enchanting place to explore.

Photo Credits: 

CREDIT: JAYNE JENKINS

https://www.coralreefimagebank.org

7 Creative Ways to Celebrate Earth Hour

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Eco Chic Cayman is proud to team up with More Than A Mother blog to collaborate on fun ways to celebrate Earth Hour at home with friends and family.   Earth Hour takes place on Saturday, 24 March, from 8:30pm-9:30pm worldwide.  This Earth Hour, take time to reconnect with nature.  Remind yourself how beautiful this planet is.    

Earth Hour is a global celebration that draws attention to important environmental issues.  It is an event organized by the World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness about climate change.  The first Earth Hour, was held in Sydney, Australia. It is a symbolic lights out event taking place on Saturday, 24th March at 8:30pm-9:30pm.  During that hour, lights are turned off around the globe, including national iconic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building in solidarity to raise awareness about climate change.  Everybody can take part in this event.  The heart of the event is committing to turn off lights for one hour.  If you are celebrating at home, consider turning off unnecessary lights.  Earth Hour is a great event for the whole family to get involved in doing their part to raise awareness about environmental issues and spend quality family time. Get creative and have fun celebrating Earth Hour!

7 Creative Ways to Celebrate Earth Hour with Friends & Family

More Than A Mother Blog and Eco Chic Cayman has got your upcoming Earth Hour Family Party (super fun for just adults too) covered with these activity ideas:

Preparation

  • Before you turn your lights off, be sure to have some battery powered candles placed around the house as a safety precaution. Place them in mason jars or decorative dishes to add to the ambience. Alternatively stick bundles of glow sticks in jars and place around the house for a more festive vibe.
  • Gather all necessary materials and place in appropriate stations. Set your party areas for the below activities so there is plenty of space and enough light for safety.

 

1. Driveway Welcome

Depending on their age or ability, your kids can create a welcome sign for visitors to your home with a chalk design on the driveway. It’ll provide them with the opportunity to think creatively about how they want to represent their family and the message they want others to know. This should encourage their understanding that saving the planet (home to everyone) is an important topic to them and your entire family.

2. Earth Warriors

Get dressed up for your event by making your own upcycled fashion and/or become earth warriors for the night with glow in the dark makeup.  

3. Glow in the Dark sticks Dance Party

Go retro and use an old battery operated boom box and play your favourite 80s mix tape. Starting off with ‘Earth Song’ might set the right vibe. Use glow sticks as fun jewelry that will also aide with spatial awareness.

4. Glow in the Dark Art

Design a protection poster with glow in the dark markers or mural a wall with glow in the dark paint as a fun reminder of your super fun party and your protection promise.  

5. Family Tales Activity Printable

Download our Family Tales Activity Sheet. Time each player for an added challenge and have fun reading the final funny story that your family creates together.

6. Game Night by Candlelight

Friends and family get ready for a lights out game night! Light some candles in jars and pull out your board games, puzzles, jenga, twister and taboo cards.

7. Stargazing

One of the simplest ways to celebrate Earth Hour, is spending it outside stargazing from the comfort of your own home.  It is a wonderful way to connect with nature and remind ourselves how beautiful our planet is. As a family, you can set-up camp outside, with some blankets and pillows while identifying various constellations.

Resources

Collaborative post with Anne-Marie Diaz. We look forward to our future collaborations with Anne-Marie, founder of More Than A Mother blog.

Photo Credit: Earth Hour (Photo) World Wildlife Fund/Earth Hour

Earth Chalk Drawing: Google/Shutterstock