Shown below are some images from some of the latest projects and competition pieces:     Ft. Myers American SandSculpting Championships - Ft. Myers, FL Title: "Phoenix" 3rd Place Notes: This was an interesting one. After the first of 2 1/2 days, my piece collapsed.  I guess that I pushed the limits of the sand a bit too far.  So, the only thing to do was to make something new.  And since I had no plan ready, I just ran with whatever seemed to work, given what was left.     Arts in Action Invitational - Port Angeles, WA Title: "World of Wonders" 1st Place & "Sculptors' Choice" Prize Contest Theme: Wonders of the World   New England Sand Sculpting Festival - Revere Beach, MA Title: "Ouroboros" 2nd Place     Grace Community Chapel - St. Peters, MO Lion and Lamb "One Day"      Lindenwood Lions Logo - St. Charles, MO High density Foam 5' x 8' x 4 inches thick Notes: Mr Bob Aschen of Master Signs saw the "Lion and Lamb" sculpture and contacted me about collaborating on relief piece that he was commissioned to created for Lindenwood University.  It was a new medium for me, but I enjoyed the process of making something that will last more than a few weeks!                                Jesolo, Italy- "The Inferno" by Dante Aligheri Circle 1: Limbo and the Classic Poets working with Sultans of Sand       Contest- Tottori, Japan Theme: "Fairy Tales and Legends" 10 sculptors from 10 Countries Each contestant created a piece representing a story from their own country. 500 Tons of Sand 10 days My piece for this contest was "John Henry: American Folk Hero"  Other Photos of the Event John Henry is a legendary hero from American folk tales. His story tells of his race against a steam powered hammer (or steam drill) on the railroad construction line. John Henry won the race, but died in his effort. He has been the subject of numerous songs, stories, plays, and novels. In the most popular version of the story, Henry is born into the world big and strong. He grows to become the greatest "steel-driver" in the mid-century push to erect the railroads across the mountains to the West.  When the owner of the railroad buys a steam-powered hammer to do the work of his mostly black driving crew, to save his job and the jobs of his men, John Henry challenges the owner to a contest: himself alone versus the steam hammer.  John Henry beats the machine, but exhausted, collapses and dies. One legend has it that he was a slave born in Missouri in the 1840’s and fought his famous battle with the steam hammer along the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in Talcott, West Virginia. Songs featuring the story of John Henry have been sung by many blues, folk, and rock musicians.