Marc Treanor went from drawing in the sand as a hobby to making a career out of it. He now spends his days working on the sands of West Wales, creating giant designs that can only be fully visible from a distance. (Marc Treanor/Caters News)

The land is not an uncommon medium for creativity. On the shores of the Great Salt Lake in Utah for example, artist Robert Smithson created the Spiral Jetty, which appear and disappear beneath the waters, depending on water levels.

Other artists, like , however, choose to use a much more transformative medium—sand. The 53-year-old from Pembrokeshire, Wales began drawing in the sand as a hobby, but eventually pursued it as a full-time job.

“I drew my first one with my kids back in 2007,” he said. “I enjoyed the design and when we went up on the cliff to have a look at it, some passerby said how amazing it was. We were really happy with it, and I haven’t stopped since.”

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The hobby has led him to collaborate with a range of charities and companies like the National Trust, a conservation organization in England. He has also worked on several marriage proposals. Recently, his received high attention.

His work begins on paper and can range in level of complexity of design. Once he’s satisfied with the paper design, he’ll spend between one and three hours drawing them on the sand. “The tide has to be out when you draw, and the weather has to be right,” he said. For example, rain can become an issue. “Rain is a giant eraser,” he said. “Luckily, I’ve been caught out once in eight years.”

Majority of Treanor’s work is done in West Wales, where he also hosts workshops for people interested in the art. “Sometime it’s hard doing it with other people as I can get a bit impatient,” he said. At the end of his work, though, his patience is worth it.

“I think it’s the fragility of it and the temporary nature reflects something in ourselves. One minute we’re here, then we’re gone. It reflects our transience in the world.”