Andres Amador started doing "earthscape art" in 2004. He'd been studying prehistoric geometric art when he had "a bolt from the heavens" while in Hawaii, realizing he could use his new knowledge to create art himself.
Artist with a rake —
Andres Amador started doing "earthscape art" in 2004. He'd been studying prehistoric geometric art when he had "a bolt from the heavens" while in Hawaii, realizing he could use his new knowledge to create art himself.
courtesy Andres Amador
"At first, when I was only working on the beach, I was calling them 'playa paintings,' and I still use that name for the art on the beach," Amador tells CNN. "After I began using ... other materials and locations, I started calling my art 'earthscape.'"
Earthscape canvas —
"At first, when I was only working on the beach, I was calling them 'playa paintings,' and I still use that name for the art on the beach," Amador tells CNN. "After I began using ... other materials and locations, I started calling my art 'earthscape.'"
courtesy Andres Amador
Amador has created hundreds of beach murals, sometimes integrating aspects of the natural landscape in his work.
Connections —
Amador has created hundreds of beach murals, sometimes integrating aspects of the natural landscape in his work.
courtesy Andres Amador
"All the ancient architectural marvels, such as the pyramids found all over the world, were made without the use of complicated tools," says Amador, who uses only a rake and rope. "They were the result of geometric insights that offer amazing power."
Inspiration —
"All the ancient architectural marvels, such as the pyramids found all over the world, were made without the use of complicated tools," says Amador, who uses only a rake and rope. "They were the result of geometric insights that offer amazing power."
courtesy Andres Amador
All his work eventually is washed away by the sea, or spoiled by dogs or other beach visitors. "If the journey is one that enriches the inner being, then regardless of where it leads one will feel fulfilled," he says.
Nothing lasts forever —
All his work eventually is washed away by the sea, or spoiled by dogs or other beach visitors. "If the journey is one that enriches the inner being, then regardless of where it leads one will feel fulfilled," he says.
courtesy Andres Amador
Amador's work has been featured in a successful marriage proposal (image shown). He's also been commissioned to produce pieces for memorial services and a car company.
Sandy proposal —
Amador's work has been featured in a successful marriage proposal (image shown). He's also been commissioned to produce pieces for memorial services and a car company.
courtesy Andres Amador
A good beach for earthscape art has to be wide and flat, with a high tide followed by a very low tide, to provide enough space and time to work, Amador says.
Tidal power —
A good beach for earthscape art has to be wide and flat, with a high tide followed by a very low tide, to provide enough space and time to work, Amador says.
courtesy Andres Amador
Most of Amador's work so far has been produced on beaches in northern California. But he's also ventured to Mexico and the Channel Islands to create his art.
Coastline king —
Most of Amador's work so far has been produced on beaches in northern California. But he's also ventured to Mexico and the Channel Islands to create his art.
courtesy Andres Amador
The equatorial region doesn't usually experience low enough tides to be used as a sand canvas. Amador would like to explore places in northern latitudes in which the tides can go out for miles, as well as Portugal and Australia.
Next stops —
The equatorial region doesn't usually experience low enough tides to be used as a sand canvas. Amador would like to explore places in northern latitudes in which the tides can go out for miles, as well as Portugal and Australia.
courtesy Andres Amador
When he's not drawing on the beach, Amador creates other sculptural installations.
Other work —
When he's not drawing on the beach, Amador creates other sculptural installations.
courtesy Andres Amador