By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON
For North Coast News
Mathematician, inventor, artist, teacher and more, “Justin the Circler” has developed what he and others have found to be an effective equation for an exciting and educational experience combining art and geometry with active individual and group participation.
It’s his take on the ancient craft of “Geo-Scribing.”
Justin Boone, who splits his time between Ocean Shores and Bothell, went to the beach just north of the Damon Road approach on a Saturday afternoon in late March to give a free demonstration of the ideas and hands-on fun he offers as Justin The Circler. He returns to the North Coast next month. After a private school event on a Seabrook area beach, he will do a pair of free open-to-the-public demonstrations in Ocean Shores, on the beach just south of the Pacific Boulevard approach, at noon on May 19 and 20.
The foundation of his workshops, he explained, is the “ancient or sacred geometry” found in any circle. He and a fellow “geo-scribe” used a simple rope, with a stick tied to one end and a rake or scraping tool on the other, to trace a gigantic circle in the sand. The remaining elements are some basic instructions, followed by a loosely guided process of exploring the possibilities that emerge from the mix of artistry and creativity, public participation and interactive efforts.
Over about four cool and breezy hours on March 24, dozens of people came by to observe and participate. Some were friends or Facebook followers who had seen notices of the event, while others were just curious beachcombers and people out for a seaside stroll. Justin invited folks to join in, serving up small slices of instruction along with hefty helpings of warm encouragement.
His website, turningcircles123.com, explains that enthusiastic participants often find their experiences are memorable, while the art created ranges from fairly simple to spectacularly complex. It’s all fleeting though, as the next high tide washes away the beach art, just as the next rainfall removes the versions done with chalk on pavement.
He said his two-day event May 19-20 will “focus on individual creations and teach some interesting techniques and strategies to creating mandalas” on Saturday. “Sunday we will focus on a large, group design that will incorporate techniques learned to one huge design.”
He encourages everyone to participate as much or as little as suits each person. “You don’t have to join for both days, you don’t need to be an artist, just be cool and curious, pick a day and do something new,” he said.
Boone began to become Justin the Circler around 2010 when he was doing mathematics on the driveway while his daughter drew rainbows with sidewalk chalk. According to his website, “The oversize number theories, algebraic endeavors, and geometric constructions filled the driveway and looked as if they held great power compared to his illegible notebooks. The large mathematics also had an appealing hint of madness as only he could decipher the glyphs.
“While on a sandy beach in Mexico he searched for sticks and rope to make a compass with. He drew his first perfect circle design in the sand…” and Justin The Circler sprang into being.
He offers his workshops, particularly those done for schools, as “supplemental education” that combines learning with hands-on fun. To that end, he has developed large scale, user-friendly tools such as the giant compasses he used at the beach. He tailors the workshop and educational events to a variety of levels, settings and functions, from simple second grade geometry to corporate team building. In addition to the website, he has a Facebook page, Justin The Circler.
One of the challenges faced with ground-level art on a massive scale is being able to actually view the process, as well as the finished product, in its entirety.
Fortunately, Justin had arranged for a couple of young, local entrepreneurs to be on hand to address that need. Steven Toney and Connor Robinson have just launched Mercury Air Productions in Ocean Shores and used their small drone to shoot video of the March event.
