Blank Canvas: East Coast Beach Creations

Castles in the Sand

Last week I posted a piece about the textures and aesthetics of an east coast beach. It isn't difficult to make comparisons between that beach and the one we enjoy here on the west coast on our beach walks. They are very different environments and they inspire people in different ways.

When I'm traveling, I'm drawn to any example of creativity, especially when I find them in places like the edge of an ocean where people are using whatever they find about them to create. On the west coast we frequently see people constructing cool structures with beach rocks. (For some examples of rock sculpture from our Ventura beach walk, check out "Blank Canvas" under Labels in the sidebar.) 

So I was pleased to run across #sandcastlelady and have the chance to chat with Lynda about her work.

I found one of her castles on an early morning walk, but I didn't have my cell phone with me. A few hours latter I went back for a picture and was momentarily disappointed to find that she had demolished it. But she was busy working on a new one and we fell into an easy conversation. 

What drew me to Lynda was her creativity, but I especially appreciated her openness. When she's staying at the beach, she is creating daily.  She estimates she works 3-4 hours on a new sculpture every day, (barring rain and wind, which are not conducive to working in sand.) 

Lynda shared that, when she is creating, she is frequently interrupted by passers-by and has been known to stop and share her expertise, and even her tools, with people who also want to create in the sand. 

What an inspiration! Not just as an example for regularly exercising our "creative energies," but also for sharing what one has learned and encouraging others to express themselves.

Keep building those sandcastles, Lynda!!!