Amagansett’s Grain Surfboards To Highlight Photographer Nancy Breakstone’s “Impressions in the Sand”

Photography Nancy Breakstone will showcase her Impressions in the Sand series at Grain Surfboards in Amagansett. An opening reception will take place on Saturday, October 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. and the exhibition will run for two weeks. Apart from viewing the abstract images, guests can partake in a silent auction to win a signed print of one of her photographs taken locally called Amagansett Wave. All proceeds will benefit the Eastern Long Island Chapter of Surfrider.

The ocean is a blank canvas of sand that twice a day creates its own masterpiece as the high tide recedes, leaving a majestic unrepeatable creation. In some parts of the world, the designs are complex and delicate. Some resemble objects in nature, while others are abstract. While most people pay no attention to this natural occurrence, Breakstone discovered its beauty years ago and has captured them in a series that she refers to as Impressions in the Sand.

“My life-long love for the water and the beach inspires me both physically and emotionally. I cannot remember a time not being on a beach or in or on the water – for sport, relaxation or photography,” said Breakstone. “I’ve been a water-woman all of my life: sailing, surfing, windsurfing, and for the last nine years I have been standup paddleboarding, competing nationally and abroad.”

While others walk past, Breakstone sees art and beauty in the way the ocean effects the sand. (Photo: Nancy Breakstone)

The artist has visited beaches around the world, but she first noticed the ocean’s intricate art at Playa Negra in Costa Rica. The popular surf locale – that is famous for the movie Endless Summer II – features black and brown beaches that appealed to her artistic side as she discovered the exquisite impressions in the sand. Impressions that were slowly made from the movement of the water.

“It was magical to me. I love the ocean and will always have great respect for its power and strength. Now I am in awe of the beauty it leaves behind every day on those beaches and I return every six months,” Breakstone explained. “My hope is that people will see in my photographs what I have and continue to experience and inspire them to be more aware of the beauty that can be found right at their feet.”

Grain Surfboards is entering its second year in Amagansett where they offer three and four day workshops in which participants build their own wooden surfboards. The business is inspired by time-tested boat building techniques and is built in a way that values history, progression, and renewable resources.

Breakstone’s exhibition will be on display at Grain Surfboards in Amagansett for two weeks. (Photo: Nancy Breakstone)

“Grain Surfboards Gallery is stoked to exhibit Impressions in the Sand, a well curated collection of abstract photography by water-woman Nancy Breakstone,” said owner Aynsley Schopfer. “Each image delights and invites the viewer into an alternate perception of time and scale.”

Breakstone is the owner of Coastal CT SUP, a business in Norwalk offering Stand Up Paddleboarding lessons and tours. Prior to that, she had a career in breeding and showing Jack Russell Terriers before becoming a show judge for the American breed club, judging nationally and internationally at the US Nationals, Canadian Nationals and South African Nationals. She went on to produce the only instructional video on structure and movement of the breed, A Standard in Motion, which remains today a required study for judges. Today, Breakstone is focused on her photography. She strives to discover the planet’s mostly unseen wonders and beauty, including Impressions in the Sand and all the beauty that lies all around us.

Grain Surfboards is located at 11 Indian Wells Highway in Amagansett. For more information, call 914-261-0118 or visit nancybreakstonephotography.com.