“The tide coming in and washing them away was kind of poignant – it showed that some of these species are vanishing because of us.”
With soulful eyes and a lifesize scale, wildlife artist Sonia Shomalzadeh’s sand-drawn marine creatures seem ready to swim away at any moment. During her recent artist’s residency at Watergate Bay, we captured Sonia at work from above, using the beach as a giant natural canvas.
Dragging a stick through the sand, using her hands and feet to smooth edges, create texture and emphasise shadows – always with the waves edging ever closer – Sonia immerses herself in the process.
Watch below as gentle giants of the ocean gradually emerge, then wash away with the tide, in a poignant depiction of their vulnerability.
Read more about Sonia’s art and inspirations.
Cornwall based filmmaker and photographer Ben Battell talks to us about capturing the perfect sunset. Discover Ben’s professional pointers for capturing shots that go beyond “what you see on everyone else's Instagram feeds”:
Read moreWe caught up with sand artist Sonia Shomalzadeh ahead of her residency at Watergate Bay from 7–10 June 2025, when she’ll be creating life-size wildlife drawings of endangered marine species on the beach.
Read moreCarving out world records from our north coast shores, racing a polo pony while lashed to the wind and putting the flag in the sand with Big Air, one of the first UK kite schools, Dreya Bennett is a big part of Watergate’s story and has been for over 28 years.
Read morePushing the limits of her medium, glass artist, former kite surf pro, and Watergate regular Dreya Bennett has been exploring new ways to work as she captures an essence of our shore, sea, and spirit in the first half of her residency.
Read moreMeet fused glass artist Dreya Bennett as we look forward to welcoming her and her glass fusing skills to the Bay for our next Artist Residency.
Read moreMeet artist Natalie Day as we chat story, natural pigments, Earth Day and her upcoming residency from 21-25 April.
Read moreWe'd love to keep in touch and send you the latest news, events, competitions and offers from the Bay. Sign up to receive our e-newsletter.