I have always had a deep fascination with Ammonites. This fascinating group of extinct marine invertebrates have a beautiful spiralled shaped shell that resembles the curved spiral of a rams horn. Most fossil collectors would have a specimen or two of one of these horn shaped stones, I know I do.

The mathematical patterns in these fossils have inspired some of my newest pieces. Since only fossil records of these ancient creatures exist I have been able to have a bit of fun with colour, depicting the forms in bright red and blue.

Meredith Woolnough, Azure Ammonite), 2015, embroidery thread and pins on paper

My Azure Ammonite has been directly inspired by one of Ernst Haeckle's illustrations of Ammonites, complete with all the knobbly bits. The Red ammonite follows a more typical depiction of their segmented form.

Azure Ammonite in progress

Meredith Woolnough, Red Ammonite, 2015, embroidery thread and pins on paper

Meredith Woolnough, Red Ammonite (detail), 2015, embroidery thread and pins on paper