Delosperma nubigenum - a Hardy Yellow Ice Plant
Delosperma nubigenum - a Hardy Yellow Ice Plant
Saltbush
Saltbush
Purple Sandgrass
Purple Sandgrass
Sand Verbena
Sand Verbena
Sea Beach Sandwort
Sea Beach Sandwort
Pricklegrass
Pricklegrass
Sea Peas
Sea Peas
Ragwort and Wild Garlic
Ragwort and Wild Garlic
American Sea Rocket
American Sea Rocket
European Sea Rocket
European Sea Rocket
Beach Bur
Beach Bur
Our beach was once considered one of the fastest eroding beaches in the world. Now it is growing and thriving.
This collection was created using encaustic photography, where the beach itself was incorporated, including beach sand, sea glass, sea shells, seagull feathers, and six layers of wax and resin. The main subjects of this  photo series are the various plants that are developing along the PNW coastline and helping with the restoration and stabilization of dunes, protecting this precious place. Washaway Beach, like many PNW beaches, is in peril due to rising sea levels, which cause coastal erosion. This area is often in danger of being eroded from wind and rain storms, and these plants are crucial to the beach's survival. I hope this series will encourage more people to learn about beach restoration.
This encaustic photo series is dedicated to the preservation and reclamation of this beautiful, unique beach. It also acknowledges the important work of the volunteers and organizations that protect it.
The depth and luminosity of the wax creates the impression that each piece is a miniature tide pool. 
The plants depicted in these photographs were taken this past spring using a Sony a7ii with a Sigma 60mm f2.8 lens.
(for more information about how the beach was saved go to:
https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/washaway-beach-the-story-of-a-community-that-stood-together-and-refused-to-be-swept-out-to-sea/).