Michael David Hewitt is a sand sculpturer from Australia who is traveling around Mexico creating beautiful sand "castles". He has been camping here at
Campo Sirena for over a week and is making a life sized mermaid at the camp. You can see some of his work at sandcreations.com.au
It has been really neat to see how he makes these sculptures. First he brought wheelbarrows of sifted sand to where he wanted to do the
sculpture...with the kids help.
then he wets it down and stamps on it to make it hard packed...which the kids loved doing!
The locals have been stopping by regularly to watch his progress on the mermaid and Michael shows visitors a slideshow of his other sculptures. Lots
of people are taking photos and posing with the sirena (mermaid).
Michael has enjoyed the enthusiasm of the folks here and appreciates the cervezas dropped off as he works up quite a thirst!!! He will finish today
and tomorrow be on his way south working his way to the tip. He does sculptures for events like weddings, festivals, parties and even in shopping
centers. You can contact him if you want him to make you one!
We convinced him to come back for the Asuncion Traditional Fiestas and to do a workshop on the beach and judge a Sand Sculpture competition event for
the fiestas.
David K - 5-16-2012 at 09:10 AM
How fun!durrelllrobert - 5-16-2012 at 09:24 AM
looks like Austraian Sirenas are much plumper than the ones we usually see in Baja Skipjack Joe - 5-16-2012 at 09:41 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
What is that creature in the bottom right?
Does the mermaid remain after the sand dries? It looks like there is a fair amount of clay and that would help. Or perhaps the sand is just wet.
Oh wait! He brought over earth with the proper composition because he knew the sand there would not work.
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Her left hand is too small.
[Edited on 5-16-2012 by Skipjack Joe]Neal Johns - 5-16-2012 at 09:44 AM
DK?David K - 5-16-2012 at 09:49 AM
What Neal?
The creature on the bottom right is a penguin...DianaT - 5-16-2012 at 12:13 PM
I hope his work of art lasts longer than the Sand Sculptures do during the IB Annual Sand Castle Competition. Each team is given a 30 by 30 foot area
and in 5 hours they build amazing works of art---- and then
after the judging is over it is the tradition around here for all the children to jump in and destroy the structures. Cypress - 5-16-2012 at 03:08 PM
Neat!!!rts551 - 5-16-2012 at 03:46 PM
super dupershari - 5-16-2012 at 04:01 PM
the sand Michael used is from there...he used the sand dug out for putting a septic in...just sifted it and brought it to the location he chose to do
his sculpture....and what is wrong with a full figured mermaid?
Michael is going to do an experiment and dust cement over her to see if she will last a big longer...that is if a quad doesnt run her over! So far all
the kids are very respectful and really like the sculpture....I'm heading over there now...she should be just about completed!ElCap - 5-16-2012 at 05:23 PM
Here are some more photos of the mermaid's progress ...perhaps not perfect...but a neat project that has entertained lots of locals. Her hair has
grown and she has scales now too.
Michael is leaving today for points south...watch for him in his blue jeep cherokee on the Bahia Conception beaches, Loreto, La Paz and Cabo area.
[Edited on 5-17-2012 by shari]woody with a view - 5-17-2012 at 12:32 PM
that is really cool. BTW, perfection is always tried for but rarely achieved. the result is you get artwork, and it is bad assss.shari - 5-17-2012 at 01:54 PM
what's cool is the interest the locals are showing in it...and Michael is great at motivating people to make sculptures themselves....which has
motivated us into creating a new family event for the fiestas in august....it's neat to see a visitor giving back to the community. He's excited about
doing workshops when he comes back in august and has become a character around town.rts551 - 5-17-2012 at 02:01 PM
Looks like fun. Promise we won't bring our quads up until next week. Hey wait, it was only a couple of years ago you were saying it would be neat to
get one.shari - 5-17-2012 at 02:28 PM
it would still be nice to have a quad....it would also be nice if the kids didnt race around doing doughnuts in the campground too.acadist - 5-17-2012 at 05:07 PM
Looks way cool!shari - 5-18-2012 at 02:41 PM
La Sirena is complete now and getting a dusting of cement so she may last a bit longer. The campo saw lots of action yesterday as Michael put the
finishing touches on her and entertained the kids.
thanks Michael...it was super fun as well as inspiring having you here!
[Edited on 5-18-2012 by shari]Udo - 5-18-2012 at 02:49 PM
I hope it's still there when we come down next weekend!
