How often does one get to meet their hero? In myths and legends perhaps, this encounter acts as a catalyst for the story, driving the narrative forward and propelling the protagonist into some form of immediate action. But sitting here in my quiet little room I did not realise I was about to embark on my very own hero's journey, coming face to face with my own mythical adventure. When I read The Genius Myth whilst homeschooling my two daughters I was immediately transformed by the words that echoed my sentiment about the depth of creativity and how we need to explore alternative avenues of education for our young people. It was everything I believed in my core but had never read elsewhere. The book explores how each person born participates in the genius of life, rather than a heroic journey undertaken by a select few, the genius myth imagines that everyone by virtue of bearing some genius qualities is subject to a genuine calling in life. The question becomes not whether or not you are a genius, but in what way does genius appear in you and how might it contribute to your well-being and at the same time benefit the world around you. The author of this book, Michael Meade, D.H.L., is a renowned storyteller, author, and scholar of mythology, anthropology, and psychology. He combines hypnotic storytelling, street-savvy perceptiveness, and spellbinding interpretations of ancient myths with a deep knowledge of cross-cultural rituals. He has an unusual ability to distill and synthesise these disciplines, tapping into ancestral sources of wisdom and connecting them to the stories we are living today. His podcast Living Myth, is one of my favourite podcasts.

It is therefore beyond an honour to be invited to speak at the 6th Annual Mythologium Conference alongside Michael Meade who will be the keynote speaker, to be creating and expressing side by side with this person is true testament to the journey of transformation that I am on. This year’s theme is Myth and Creativity and I will be addressing my work on Jungian archetypes and creative practice from my recent exhibition Limited Palette: Watercolour as Archetype.

NOVEMBER 8-10, 2024

Mythology and creativity intertwine with psychology, storytelling, imagination, technology, and innovation. ISM invites mythologists to join us at Mythologium 2024 to tap into these elements and highlight insights from mythological stories and creativity that provide new perspectives on contemporary psycho-social and environmental issues. Tickets available here

Schedule here

Elle Drakopoulou

I’m incredibly thankful to announce the updated publication date for my second book “MUSE” this has been a true labour of love: she is part art-journal and sketch book with inspirational prompts, she is part musings, part poetry, part hand illustrated artworks. I hope all of the scattered little fragments of myself help my fellow creatives find some space to lay bare their brave and beautiful musings too and bring their artistic parts together. I know this exercise has helped me immensely.

We are expecting a mid-2025 release date. Take a peek inside to see a few page spreads.

Deeply inspired by the notion of the monomyth or protomythos Limited Palette - Watercolour as Archetype examines the notion that all myths are facets of a singular, universal human story through the medium of watercolour.

A distilled visual meditation on archetypal themes, portraying figures, events and symbols that resonate with the shared experiences and subconscious truths of the human psyche. These archetypal patterns found in historic myths seem to bridge their cultural and social differences; demonstrating how various civilisations across different eras echo similar themes and concepts around creation, transformation, struggle and transcendence.