Rock Cairns: Art on El Capitan State Beach

Specifically and uninterestingly cairns are: an artificial pile of stones. So much for the romance of the tactile artifacts I find on El Capitan State Beach.

Often these stones appear to be set with care and passion, as balance points are difficult to find in odd-shaped stones.

Working until nearly past dark on this past New Year's Weekend this artist of ephemeral piling of the stones placed more than five dozen cairns.

Some more creative 'cairns' have branched out and include bits of driftwood. This approach leads to a feeling of fragility and a short, but dramatic lifespan.

I entered this favored image of mine into a juried art show of the Carpinteria Valley Art Association, in Carpinteria, CA. The show was themed: Man/Woman. The title of this photo? "She Always Liked the Stong, Silent Type". The juror awarded my photo with an 'Honorable Mention'!! Having a professional evaluate my work and deem it worthy is a gas.

The stony spirits of El Cap State Beach hold court as the last rays of light of 2007 disappear over the Pacific.