Words by Jo-Marie Baker
SAND ART WORKSHOPS
Kenrick Smith’s giant mandala artworks etched onto Bay of Plenty beaches have drawn the attention of national media, international stars, and taken Instagram by storm. But sand art remains his own personal form of therapy.
The 38-year-old, who has hyperactive ADHD, discovered the calming influence of drawing pictures in the sand during New Zealand’s lockdowns in 2020. His business, Rake Healing, now offers workshops for the general public and corporate clients who are looking to do something unique for their staff to support mental wellbeing.
“I used to be a professional photographer and when COVID hit I realised there was not going to be any more weddings. During lockdown I had no job, no friends to hang out with, and my mental health started declining. So I went to the beach.”
Kenrick picked up a piece of driftwood and absentmindedly drew a geometric circle which his young daughter, Ivy, was fascinated by. “She stayed inside that circle and played for ages and I thought ‘how interesting’. It also gave me space to chill out at the beach and I realised I felt quite calm. It’s great to just stop and listen to the birds and the waves and just be in nature.”
Following a move to Papamoa, Kenrick began creating more sand art. One large mandala created on the beach below Mauao’s base track (opposite Matakana Island) wound up in the Bay of Plenty Times and New Zealand Herald. He’s since collaborated with Ed Sheeran to create sand art representing a track to promote the international release of his album Subtract. Rake Healing has also hosted workshops for hundreds of participants who are keen to try something new.
“It was always my personal mediative practice but other people just love it so I started holding workshops to teach what I have learnt. During the two-hour workshops, I share my story and then spend a few minutes focusing on guided mindfulness. I use different breathing and grounding techniques to give your mind something else to think about. Everyone loves it, from four-year-olds to heads of marketing for New Zealand’s largest companies. I then demonstrate how to create large circle mandalas, give everyone a rake and some bamboo and say: “Have a good time!” I walk around giving people tips and tricks, and we put the drone up to photograph everyone’s artworks at the end.”
While they look complex, mandalas are symmetrical shapes so are relatively easy to make. Each circle is divided into segments and people can create whatever patterns they want using bamboo sticks and rakes. “It’s very repetitive and that’s really good for your brain – it allows you to switch off and just be mindful of that moment. The activity has boundaries so you can relax into it – you don’t have to stress about what you’re going to draw. There are lots of different things you can do like squiggles and mazes.”
Each artwork is washed away with the tides, which serves as powerful reminder to always live in the moment. Workshops are held an hour either side of low tide, and Kenrick is looking forward to hosting corporate Christmas functions this year as an alternative to a boozy lunch or dinner.
“There’s a move post-COVID for businesses to really start valuing people because everyone got used to working at home. I think businesses are starting to realise that mental health is really important and they must value their staff. Creating sand art is a really unique experience and a great way to bring a team together in our natural environment.”
Kenrick’s artistic ability has seen him perfectly recreate company logos in the sand, and he’s hosted some very large groups for his lessons. He enjoys creating large designs but small, detailed artwork can be just as satisfying, making it an achievable activity for all ages and physical abilities.
“It’s definitely a healing practice for me. So many of us go to the beach and sit there on our own phones. But if you go for a nice walk or listen to all the sounds around you, it can be magic.”
Kenrick has a special affinity for working alongside others with ADHD as they are especially creative and can envisage things which other people cannot see.
“I was only diagnosed last year but I really feel like I’m in my lane when I’m on the beach. I’m firing on all cylinders. People with hyperactive ADHD love moving and fidgeting so this is a great outlet, and being in nature has a calming effect too,” he says.
“There’s only a handful of sand artists in New Zealand and not many in the world producing logos and images to the detail I have found I can do. I wouldn’t be able to do that without the creativity and energy my ADHD gives me.”
To book a sand art workshop or corporate Christmas function with Kenrick, click here.