After Attending Burning Man Ten Years Ago, This Artist Quit His Job To Create Amazing Sand Art


Life is fleeting: do what you want, love who you will, and live with no regrets. Such must have been the message artist Andres Amador received when he attended Burning Man over ten years ago, for shortly after, he quit his job and began creating mind-blowing designs in the sand.

Delightful Stories reports that the 44-year-old San Francisco-based artist sketches out sand-paintings up to 100,000 square feet (roughly 35,000 sq-meters) in size.

He wasn’t always such a free spirit, as he’ll tell you. Amador received a BA in Environmental Science before joining the Peace Corps and then started a regular career. It was when he visited Burning Man in 1999, however, something changed.

Shortly after attending the event, the artist quit his job and began investing his time in sand art. As he told Organic Connections:

“So much of how we live our lives is based on fear of the unknown, and death is the ultimate unknown. But in the face of the knowledge of our demise, to express one’s spirit and create beauty is the ultimate victory, the ultimate embrace of life. I’m enjoying the life that I have been living since I have the courage to follow my own path. Now I am traveling and creating my art on huge canvases.” 

There’s something cathartic about creating a majestic wonder and then having it washed away as if it never existed in the first place.

Credit: Andres
Credit: Andres Amador

Says Amador:

“My art is my way to processing the world I experience and recreating it in grand yet fleeting ways that are a tribute to the regenerative capacity of the human spirit. 

I wish for viewers of my work to experience a sense of wonder and renewed appreciation for the miracle of life.”

In regards to Burning Man, this is what the artist had to say:

“It’s an event that cannot be encompassed in any photo or story, and it really shifted my perspective on what life could be and how one could craft one’s life experience.

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

In case you’re wondering what Amador does to earn a living, he answers that question on his website:

“I have done commissions and installations for businesses and individuals across the United States and Europe. I am available for commissions by project or by the day.” 

Scroll through some of the fabulous sand-paintings Andres has sketched out and remember: the only constant in this universe is change. Embrace that, and life will become a lot easier.

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

Shortly after the art is completed, it’s destroyed by the elements. 

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

The intricate drawings are started at low-tide.

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

He’s been creating these sand sketches for over ten years!

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

After drawing the framework with a fine-tip stick, Amador uses a rake to shade in different areas. 

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

“I offer an opportunity to step outside of one’s day to day life and stand present in this timeless moment”

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

“There’s not an overt message in my work, but there’s an implied message about being in the moment.”

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

“Sometimes these paintings are being erased by the water before they’re even finished, and this perspective shows us that life is temporary and nothing will last”

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

“But what will we do in the face of that awareness? How will we live?”

Credit: Andres Amador
Credit: Andres Amador

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