The partner of an inspirational sand artist whose eye-catching creations across many of Pembrokeshire’s beaches caught the imagination of thousands of admirers, has vowed to continue his work and with it his environmental message.
Marc Treanor who lived in Dinas Cross, sadly passed away back in the summer of 2020, when he tragically drowned on a trip to Cornwall, but his memorable work, which often carried a message, and raised awareness of certain issues, will live long in the memory of anyone who witnessed, either in person, or via social media, where his coastal creations would often go viral, gaining thousands of likes and shares.
His sand sketches regularly featured on Tenby’s North Beach, where onlookers would often gather at vantage points to watch his mesmerising creations unfold, and his work often encompassed an environmental message too, working with organisations such as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wales to highlight campaigns such as ‘Year of the Sea’.
Marc once helped the National Theatre Wales promote their Tenby production of the ‘Tide Whisperer’ - which told the story of migration, immigration, displacement and mass movement; whilst on another occasion, he joined up with ‘Extinction Rebellion Pembrokeshire’ for their ‘Mass Beach Beauty’ event, creating a 60m wide Extinction Rebellion logo, inviting people, local and visiting families alike, to enter the logo and create their own art and messages inspired by things they love about our amazing coastline, sea and the planet.
He was also asked to mark special occasions such as wedding anniversaries and birthdays, by creating unique messages on the sands across the county’s beaches.
One couple of film fanatics enjoyed a magical afternoon in Tenby when Marc illustrated their wedding proposal on the beach, by creating a Harry Potter-themed coat of arms with the words ‘Nia, will you marry me?’ emblazoned underneath.
Marc even appeared on the popular BBC Wales programmed Weatherman Walking with Derek Brockway, creating a unique sand circle in Pembrokeshire.
Now Marc’s partner Rachel Shiamh is making sure his legacy lives on, by continuing to create masterpieces across the county’s beaches.
Recently Rachel drew an image of jailed Australian publisher, and activist Julian Assange on Tenby’s North Beach to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
“The Julian Assange drawing was something I personally wanted to bring attention to. To release him in my own way into the natural environment,” Rachel told the Observer.
“The theme, although not my usual creative style was a challenge to offer to the sands.
“This was the first time I’d returned to draw in Tenby since I drew there with Marc,” explained Rachel, who resides in St Dogmaels, in an eco-house, after ‘letting go’ of a dance career many years ago, so she could connect more fully with nature.
“Marc was an incredible sand artist and one day I stepped into one of his mandalas and just naturally began to move and to dance. It was as if my true and innate dance nature was re-emerging in its purest form. We then began to co-create together.
“I learnt so much from Marc and he encouraged my own creativity. When he unexpectedly passed it felt for me like medicine to take to the sands and create and so it has continued.
“I’m now part of a global sand art community which was forged then, as many sand artists were following his art.
“28 of us contributed sand art towards a tribute for Marc and it’s such a beautiful legacy to be creating on the beaches whilst linked to so many artists others across the globe by the one ocean,” she continued.
“I’ve received some wonderful commissions which generally follow a theme of care for the planet and humanity.
“I created a large badger on a beach in North Devon for the Badger Trust to bring awareness to the culling still in operation in England.
“Also one to celebrate Ceredigion coastal path and the National Trust,” added Rachel who is presently part of a global sand art project with 15 other sand artists.
After Marc’s passing, Rachel took to the sands, which she says became a way she could continue to commune with him and act as a medicine for her soul.
“Marc’s passing created a beautiful connection of a wider network of sand artists all around the globe - we offer a unique expression of our artwork to the one ocean - a light grid across the planet!” she remarked.
“His spirit speaks through me when I draw and it has become a form of co-creation with the elements and beyond.
“Images often come to me in the quiet of the night and then I offer them to the sands when the tides next allow.
“It seems to be the lightest footprint I can offer in these precarious times,” she added.
You can visit the Facebook tribute page to Marc at ‘Marcturian Trust - a Global Sand Art Network’ which Rachel to also highlight the global sand art family's contributions, and to look back at Marc’s wide library of work, as well as sharing images from other sand artists across the world.
Rachel’s own Facebook page can be found by searching for ‘Rachel Shiamh a Quiet Earth’ whilst her Instagram profile is: rachelshiamhquietearth
You can also check out her website at: www.quietearth.org.uk
