I went to an event at Second Life's Fantasy Faire in which poets could read their work. My microphone didn't work but I had poems, so I asked a friend to read for me. She did, and forever changed how I think of reading. I'd been to readings but people didn't put any life into their work. Here, my friend put her life into my words and the poem came alive. I wanted to do more.
So, I started going to more readings, and writing more. That, and the repercussions, kept me busy enough and I didn't think much about sand sculpture.
Eventually the storms died down somewhat. I went for a walk on the beach, December 16th, and found Venice with a large expanse of fine sand. I forgot about the walk, and although I had no tools I started making a pile. There were mussel shells around for carving.
I went back two days later with a handful of tools. Everything was changed. Huge, strong surf drove in well beyond the beach cusp and removed all the fine sand. Two days later the story was the same, but there were beautiful high icy clouds that burned with colors near the sun.
A few days later, tired of being indoors, I picked up my camera and headed for the beach. When the spring tides push over the cusp, the waves often leave beautiful patterns of shells and coarse sand behind. I wanted to photograph some of these still life formations. I did so, working my way south. I also found a big windrow of tangled kelp.
At Venice, much to my wonder, I found fine sand. Not just in a thin layer on top, but deep enough to work with. There were shells, stones and coarse sand mixed in, but I found a stick to carve with and started piling.
I learned something from this. Free-piling technique has improved through the years; I tried to carve this just with my hands but about all I accomplished was the breaking of fingernails. The stick saved me. being just sturdy enough to last.
Also, tools have their effect on the shape of the piece. Most of my sand sculpture history now includes a selection of tools made for the purpose, and most of what I know came from the tool-using era. Having only a stick brought me back to the beginning, and gave me a new look at how tools work with design to produce a sculpture.
