Beach Art

We spent two nights at Montaña de Oro State Park, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on a rugged part of the coast. We used the stop to rest and relax, not hiking farther than the beach though there are a multitude of trails to explore. It was a very primitive campground - no sinks or showers, and no cell service. 

The beach had a stunning variety of rocks - so many colours and patterns that everyone who walked down the beach was compelled to stop and sift through the rocks looking for a treasure. When we arrived at the beach in the morning, the girls and I saw a picture that had been created using some of the rocks. It was a very simple face with a frame, obviously created by a young child. I went for a walk down the beach to explore, and when I returned 20 minutes later I found that Lucy and Miriam had been inspired by the rock art and were focused intently on creating some art of their own. I couldn’t help but join in; I love beach combing, and before long the three of us were all working on our own pictures.

The best part of the rock art was when other people noticed it. They were surprised and delighted. Some of them took pictures and asked questions, while others were inspired to stop and make some of their own art. Only once did a dog off leash cause damage to a couple of the pictures, even though we abandoned the beach for an hour at lunch, another hour to explore some of the caves on the shoreline, and over an hour at dinner time. The girls were still making art after the sun had set, and it was hard to tear them away from the beach.

So many people have asked us if we are homeschooling. The truthful answer is that we are not. I think what we are doing could be called unschooling. We naturally take advantage of teaching moments, and our girls have learned lots that they wouldn’t have learned at home or in school. On this beach at Montaña de Oro, the girls saw an opportunity to make art and they took it. I would not be exaggerating if I said they spent 4-5 hours working on their art, and I’m sure I spent at 2-3 hours myself. They built, changed, and improved their designs and loved sharing their work with the authentic audience on the beach. I’d say that’s a pretty successful art class.

The girls decided not to visit the beach the next morning as we left the park. High tide came during the night, and although we weren’t sure how high the water would come, they decided that they preferred to remember their pictures whole rather than risk seeing them disturbed.