Sunderland Echo

Revealed: The artist behind sand art messages

- Fiona Thompson fiona.thompson@jpimedia.co.uk Twitter: @fionathomp­sonjpi

This is the face behind the huge artworks which have caught the eye of tens of thousands of walkers out on our coastline.

Jax Higginson takes the short walk from her Whitburn home to the beach at Seaburn at low tides to create the images, which are inspired by messages about mental health, politics and nature.

Important dates, such as VE Day and Internatio­nal Women’s Day have already been marked, with photos shared far and wide across social media after people have spotted the outlines while out for a walk on the coastline.

Jax, who organises the North East Skinny Dip in Northumber­land each year, said: “I started doing it about six months ago when I was going through a really hard time.

“Obviously I’m a massive beach lover and I call myself an artist and enjoy making things as much as possible.

“I found I loved making things in the sand, and that was me addicted.

“I did a few things to mark Mental Health Week and now I’ve got a drone, so

I can take some videos and photos afterwards.

“For me, it’s a form of meditation.

“Where I go down to the beach, put my headphones on and get lost in art for several hours and it’s a way to play with my creativity.

“I’ve also found I’ve got a lot of interactio­n from people. “Because it’s a real conversati­on starter and lots of people come up and chat and ask what it’s about.”

While she creates pictures on the sand here in the North East, her brother Ben, who lives in Lancashire, makes his own on the seafront at Starr Gate, near Blackpool.

They each share their photos and videos through their Sandymenta­l Facebook page.

Jax is keeping a close eye on Government guidance about holding events as she continues to work on plans for this year’s North East Skinny Dip.

It is scheduled to take place at sunrise on Sunday, September 20.

So far, 320 people have already signed up to take part in the event.

Anyone who would like to find out more can visit www.northeasts­kinnydip. co.uk or visit its Facebook page.

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? One of the thought-provoking artworks made by Jax Higgison on the beach at Seaburn.
One of the thought-provoking artworks made by Jax Higgison on the beach at Seaburn.
 ??  ?? Jax uses her artwork to raise awareness about mental health issues.
Jax uses her artwork to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom