To make a broad generalization, there are two kinds of people. Those who grasp on to the last gasps of summer and those who think sweater weather starts the minute after Labor Day.
For that second group, there are those who love the fall leaves and everything crisp and cool and then there are the snow-lovers.
Posted by Simon Beck onThursday, January 28, 2021
Snow is not for everyone. Especially if you have to shovel it or drive in it. That’s totally understandable. But for those who can still find a way to appreciate its beauty, we found a person you may truly enjoy.
His name is Simon Beck, and he’s a “snow artist.”
Stimulating surroundings for getting back into shape. There is another photo of me holding a roll of "spare tyre" roud my waist but I thought better of putting it on the web!
Posted by Simon Beck onThursday, August 19, 2021
Snow as a medium of art? We had no idea!
If you’ve never heard of a snow artist, then join the club. But we have the feeling that since he’s started, Beck has inspired many more people to use the snow to create art.
Just take a look at what he managed to do on his own:
While we love the look of a fresh, untouched first blanket of snow covering a field or open space, we’ll forever see it as a blank canvas from now on.
And the amazing part is how Beck does it. With his own two feet!
That’s right. He clomps through the snow in his snowshoes, carefully trodding these beautiful patterns while getting some fresh air and exercise.
It’s just amazing to think that people come up with these ideas off the tops of their heads. You’ve got to love the creative spirit.
Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art onWednesday, January 31, 2018
All of Beck’s designs are created by walking in the snow – the patterns made with just his own 2 feet!
Beck starts by mapping out the space and figuring out the design. Some are patterns. Some are simply shapes.
But no matter what the final product ends up being, the process is complicated and calculated – although we imagine it’s enjoyable as well.
Drwg 277, Half complete. The contrast has been enhanced, and old snow tracks that were practically invisible in real life, have been revealed.
Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art onSaturday, February 10, 2018
After he has the logistics worked out, Beck walks the paths with measured snowshoe steps to make each shape, never veering off track.
From ground level, it might not look like much, but even the slightest bird’s eye view shows you how incredible each piece really is.
A piece of snow art can take anywhere between two and six hours to complete.
That’s quite a long walk! Just think about how many steps you’d have to take to create something like this:
April 2017, on a glacier not far from the ski resort of Whistler, in British Colombia, Western Canada with thanks…
Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art onWednesday, April 19, 2017
Frankly, it looks like some of these take much longer.
And then he has the wind to contend with!
“There were two drawings that took a day and a half to make and the first was blown away,” Simon says of some of his creations.”And all the drawings were damaged to an extent by the wind. A quarter of my time was spent reinstating work I had done earlier.”
It sounds like it could be frustrating, but being in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the winter sun is likely a reward in itself.
Discover the film "Simon Beck -Snow Artist", and how Simon Beck creates amazing designs in the snow just by walking in a…
Posted by Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival onSaturday, February 4, 2017
Though the task may sound daunting to most, it’s just another day for Simon Beck.
The 60-something-year-old from Taunton, Somerset, enjoys making these works of art whether they’re for a commission or not.
In fact, he’s created hundreds of designs on mountaintops, lakes, and yes…even sandy beaches (so summer-lovers can rejoice!). Beck’s Facebook page is full of some of his more recent “shore art.”
After all, if snow can be a medium, why not sand?
13.1 meter tide predicted for tonight, environment agency had the door closed at the top of the boat launching ramp, …
Posted by Simon Beck onFriday, September 18, 2020
Beck fully admits he makes mistakes, but he usually just accepts there may be a wrong line somewhere or that can alter the design slightly so that anyone looking at it won’t even notice.
And he says that while falling down is unusual, making an accidental snow angel does occasionally happen.
It looks like a lot of fun too!
Posing for the drone!
Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art onFriday, January 26, 2018
The only sad part about Beck’s work is that it’s never permanent – or maybe that’s what makes it so special.
Snow art only lasts as long as the cold weather or until a big gust of wind comes by (or a skier heads straight through it).
But Beck doesn’t mind, and the fact that they’re temporary is what makes his artwork so unique and hard to replicate.
Drawing 259
Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art onSunday, April 9, 2017
As long as he gets his photo at the end, he’s happy. But sometimes it’s hard to get those just right as well. If the light is wrong or it’s a cloudy day, the design doesn’t look as good as it would in direct sun.
When you’re an artist like Simon, the whole world is your canvas.
His artwork is proof that there is potential for creativity everywhere. In fact, we feel inspired to try a little something in our own backyard this year (before the squirrels make one of their own!).
Let's cheer up, here's a photo of the latest drawing on the Lac Marlou taken today about half an hour before closing time
Posted by Simon Beck onMonday, February 24, 2020
If you want to hear from Beck and get a sense of just how amazing his feats (and feet) are, scroll down below to the video.
And if you’d like to look through his Facebook page, you can find photos from Beck and others who have enjoyed his art by clicking here.
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