Unplugged Inspiration: Earthscape Artist Andres Amador
If you love nature and you love art you will understand why we chose Andres Amador as an Unplugged Inspiration. Andres is an Earthscape Artist whose work is inspired by his study of calligraphy, ancient architecture, and science of all disciplines. Most often his work takes place on beaches and can span over 100,000 feet. Using a rake and the beach as his canvas, Andres creates ephemeral art that is both a mindful activity and deeply moving.
1) Why/how did you start creating Nature Art?
It began spontaneously when I was on the beach and it dawned on me what an enormous canvas the beach could offer. The nature part emerged as a focus after I had already been creating for a while.
2) Tell us about some of the more interesting places you have created art.
In Ireland there was a huge beach that was used as a road during low tide to an island. In New Zealand there was a beach exposed during low tide accessible by walking a couple hundred feet offshore in foot deep water. But when returning to the mainland it was up to our waist and rising! In South Africa there were penguins hobbling about near me and in California I was watched by sea lions.
3) Have you engaged any people the world might know in this inspiring activity?
I created a land artwork on visual artist Alex Grey’s property and I was involved in a music video for Alesia Carissa for the movie soundtrack for Moana. For it I lightly scratched in a design, instructed her in what to do and then she was filmed creating it.
4) Has anyone reported having reduced stress or life changing effects after participating?
A few people have altered their lives as a result of the experience. I don’t take credit for that- they were clearly on the edge of the change and just needed the direction to move. The most common comment from workshop participants is the calming effect of the experience.
5) What is the best age group for this activity and why?
The best ages have been under 8 and over 40. The young ones are uninhibited and the older ones are ready to release inhibition and allow themselves to be seen in a new way.
6) What are the reasons you think someone should try Nature Art?
Being in nature is already a therapeutic experience in many ways. Engaging nature creatively as a collaborative partner takes the experience to a new level. Rather than being a passive recipient of the natural world (which is plenty fine!), by gently creating with the natural landscape one develops a new relationship to what may have already felt familiar.
7) How difficult is it to create this kind of art?
Absolutely no experience is needed. A natural artwork can be as simple as placing an acorn on a leaf, or arranging several sticks in a pattern, or making a line from flower petals- or drawing doodles with a stick on the sand. It’s more about creativity, which expands when engaged. When one approaches the natural world as a collaborator, new potential arises spontaneously.
Creating with nature is an honoring of the natural world. It brings us into closer relationship with wherever we may happen to be, has us seeing more details, drops us into the rhythm of the world around us. It brings together the benefits of art, creativity, and nature time into a potent experience.
To learn more about Andres, click HERE, go to www.AndresAmadorArts.com or IG & FB: AndresAmadorArts. Andres will be in San Diego for a beach workshop Feb 14 where you can become a participant! Find out more about this and other workshops HERE.
