Art, a Compass, and a Snowfield - Simon Beck - Ep 169

Art2Life

Nicholas Wilton

Self-improvement, Education, Visual Arts, Arts

4.8 • 647 Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2025

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

https://Art2Life.com - Art can manifest in countless ways, from traditional canvas paintings to more unconventional forms like intricate snow patterns. British artist Simon Beck uses only his feet and a compass to create breathtaking patterns on snow-covered landscapes, primarily near his home at the Les Arts Ski Resort near Mont Blanc in France.

Simon shares his unusual journey from competitive orienteering and map-making to becoming a pioneer of snow art. Join us as Simon shares insights into his creative process, the physical demands of his work, and the awe-inspiring interplay between nature and art.

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LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN…

(0:00) Creating snow drawings mirrors reverse map-making

(04:04) The transition from competitive orienteering to snow drawing as a main source of income

(07:16) Prioritizing making art near home first to photograph the drawing before others ski

(11:35) Shadows on snow look darker or lighter depending on the sun's position and time of day

(12:57) Drawing requires focus in the first 1.5 hours, the Simon listens to music

(18:14) Fractals balance lightness, strength, and space

(19:56) Measurement is key, but the design relies on judgment

(30:57) Why not too many people watch Simon work

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

Les Arcs Ski Resort: https://www.seelesarcs.com/

Professor Brian Cox: https://apolloschildren.com/

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CONNECT WITH SIMON BECK

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonbeck_snowart/

Simon’s Snow Art: https://www.abebooks.com/Snow-art-Beck-Simon-EDIT-MILON/31548161892/bd

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Transcript

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0:00.0	In fact, the first hour and a half, you focus on what you're doing, making sure the accurate
0:03.8	bit is done.
0:05.0	All the thinking is done in the first hour and a half.
0:07.5	Once you've done your measurements and drawn your main lines out, then it's a question of
0:12.6	completing the drawing, then you put in your personal stereo.
0:15.3	That's called personal stereo time.
0:17.3	And then the drawing really starts to take shape.
0:20.6	Welcome back to the Art to Life podcast, everybody.
0:23.0	I'm super excited today.
0:24.9	I'm speaking with Simon Beck.
0:27.2	He's a British artist known for creating massive geometric patterns in snow using his feet
0:33.7	and a compass.
0:34.9	These are beautiful artworks, massive in scale, and I'm just super excited to
0:41.2	share. I'll dive into this with him. He's located in Lesar, ski resort. It's about 20 miles south
0:48.0	of Mont Blanc.
0:59.5	Welcome to Art to Light, a podcast for the Creatively Curious.
1:06.8	My name is Nicholas Wilton, and each week I'll help you rediscover not just the art of your life, but the art in your life.
1:13.2	Join me as we explore that perfect blue at twilight, the wild frontiers of art making and the extraordinary joy of finding your ways you go.
1:20.0	Simon, thanks for being here. Can you just tell us how you got into making this snow art.
1:28.0	You began in 2004, but what were you doing that led to this?
1:32.8	I think I read you were orienturing, you were doing certain wilderness activities, but also mapping.
1:40.8	Well, yes, that's the background.
	...

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