SAND ANIMATION ARTIST

Hello! I’m Charlene Lanzel… It's been more than 13 years since I launched my sand animation business, back in February 2011, and so much has happened since then.

I've created over 100 custom sand animations for corporate and private clients. I use a light box, sand, and my hands to create fluid emotional stories, synced to a unique musical soundscape. These sand animations are simultaneously projected large screen for live audiences to experience, or filmed in HD for your live or virtual event.

I've done animations for Cirque du Soleil, MTV News, Travel & Leisure, Doodle 4 Google, GE Healthcare, TBS Network and many more. I've performed at amazing venues, like Caesar's Colosseum in Las Vegas, The Fillmore in Philly, The Smithsonian in D.C. and Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC. I've traveled to international locations, like Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Playa Del Carmen, Berlin, Montréal and all over the USA. I've performed at events featuring: Jordin Sparks, Brené Brown, Beau Lotto, Nili Brosch, John Mayer, Wynton Marsalis and The Roots.

It's been a very exciting journey and I'm really looking forward to sharing new things here. So... Stay Tuned! Thanks for visiting. I look forward to creating a custom sand animation just for you.

BASED IN LOS ANGELES, CA

Watch my sand art VIDEOS!

Services

*In April 2022, I launched my very own ethical sand art clothing and product line, bringing my art to the fashion world. My original sand art designs are now being produced on high-end sustainable clothing and accessories. For more information, read this blog: WEAR SAND ART… then visit my Le Galeriste shop. You can find even more products designed with my sand art at Redbubble!

Custom Sand Animation VIDEOS

"In every grain of sand there is a story."

Charlene Lanzel’s sand animation videos are a refreshing way to tell your story at a live event or virtual meeting. An .mp4 video of your custom sand animation can be created in HD for large screen viewing at your corporate event, gala, dinner, party, wedding, trade show or virtual event. Your video story will be filmed in real time, but can be sped up in post production, for quicker viewing. Include branding, logos, memorable experiences, portraits, or beautiful scenes and themes of your choice… all synched to a custom musical soundscape. Please provide all information for the project at least 3 weeks prior to the date needed.

See SERVICES for more information on custom animations.

PICK (1) COLOR: B/W, Gold, Cocoa, Red, Pink, Cran, Purple, Blue, Aqua or Green…

ADD a SPLASH of a 2nd color!

WHY Sand Art?

Watching sand animation come to life, in real time, has an extraordinary effect on the audience. Audience members are uncontrollably drawn into Charlene’s seemingly real world made up of sand characters, trees, mountains and seas. Live sand art is a magical art form that charms. Creating images conjured seemingly effortless, like an oracle or a magician, Charlene's hands skate on glass like a kind of dance. The moving sand creates continuously fluid and poetic figures with original storytelling. Old and young watch and listen together, and all is in harmony, because they all share the same emotions. A visual language is created that transcends linguistic barriers. Drawings are in perpetual transformation which excite imagination, surprise and allow abrupt changes of tone and unexpected images.

Charlene Lanzel can perform her sand animations live at: gala events, in theaters, at festivals, opening or closing ceremonies, at corporate events, conventions, trade shows, weddings, dinner parties, art events and more. Charlene’s sand art can be integrated into: dance, concerts, advertising, storytelling, video and television projects. Bespoke performances can also be custom created to existing compositions or original musical scores. Custom live presentations or videos can include your own imagery, logos and themes.

The powerful impact of sand animation is indescribable. Adding special uniqueness to any event, sand animation is almost unbelievable. It is a new, different and exciting way to communicate a message. Sand storytelling comes alive in this imaginative poetic expression.

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel keeps audiences spell-bound by the twists and surprises that follow every sweep of her hands.

Reserve Charlene today for your next project or event!

---

Back to Top

My Sand Story

I had been successful as a mural painter for many years, including painting murals for Godiva Chocolatier, the Venetian Casino in Las Vegas, a Disney theme park in Tokyo, and many more great projects. I returned from Tokyo in 2001, and just a few days before 9/11, I had a terrible accident at the mural studio, which was just a few blocks from the Twin Towers. I was working on a scaffolding and turned my face into the side of a moving industrial ceiling fan... the accident was very bad, and I was lucky to be alive. My face was all smashed up and I had to have reconstructive surgery on my face. My brain had been rattled... something opened up in my mind.

A few days later, I was home recovering, with a cast on my face, and looked out the window to see the second plane hit the WTC. It was traumatizing for the whole world. But, more so for me. Just 6 months earlier, I had worked as a dancer at a weekly party at Windows on the World, on top of the WTC. So, I was feeling very, very fragile.

I had been interested in Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhism, from having just been in Japan. I had some time on my hands recovering, so the very next day thought it might be a good idea to start studying Buddhism. I then became interested in Tibetan sand mandalas.

I started studying fractal geometry and quantum physics and many other philosophies. I realized that something was different about my brain. I started to be able to make different kinds of connections. The accident had made me smarter. I then heard of something called Acquired Savant Syndrome, a rare syndrome which happens to people with head injuries. I believed this had happened to me.

Soon after, I saw a video by a Hungarian sand animation artist on YouTube and chills went up my spine. In my mind, I could see myself up there doing it…. Several years later, in 2010, when I was seeking work, an acquaintance mentioned that sand art was something desirable for events. Again I got chills... I immediately started building my sand box and spent a year teaching myself. I believe the accident enabled me with the skills to do this very advanced art form.

The new connections in my brain gave me the ability to work with both hands and much more. After a year of struggling to learn sand art, I put a video up on YouTube, and a week later was hired by Cirque du Soleil for the after show party they had for their Zarkana show, which was originally in NYC. My career just took off after that and I've been working as a sand artist ever since.

Wedding Sand Art

Add special uniqueness to your wedding reception or dinner. Sand animation is a new, different and exciting way to tell your love story...

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel creates a memorable sand art story just for you, which adds a luxury element to your wedding event. Include portraits and shared experiences drawn in the sand, performed to a custom musical soundscape. Your love story comes alive with this unique live animation!

Charlene offers 3 options for live wedding sand art to suit your budget: Ambient, Combination (or) Bespoke.

1) 10 minute Live AMBIENT WEDDING: This is the most economical option. Charlene performs a love story from her stock animation “Love & Nature” with the characters personalized to look like the wedding couple. (2-3 weeks lead time)

2) 10 minute Live COMBINATION WEDDING: This is a popular option. Choose scenes from Charlene's stock imagery storyboards. Did you meet at the beach, city or countryside? Choose your scenery, choose from personalized wedding scenes, and add a sentiment at the end. (2-3 weeks lead time)

3) Live BESPOKE WEDDING: This is the best option. Use your imagination! Tell your completely customized story in sand with scenes of your choice, including: portraits, beautiful scenes, memorable experiences, and more. At least 7 minutes custom animation is recommended to tell your story. (3+ weeks lead time)

Charlene's sand art can be performed LIVE at your reception or dinner...

and/or

4) a SAND ART VIDEO of an Ambient, Combination (or) Bespoke animation can be created for large screen viewing at the event. An HD digital video file (.mp4) of your sand animation includes a custom musical soundtrack which synchs with the artwork.

Please provide all information for the project at least 2-3 weeks prior to the performance or date needed. A signed contract, along with 50% deposit, are required to hold your date and start your custom project, prior to the 2 week deadline.

Choose a sand color to match your wedding theme! 

PICK (1) COLOR: B/W, Gold, Cocoa, Red, Pink, Cran, Purple, Blue, Aqua or Green…

Reserve Charlene today for your wedding video or event!

Lightworker

I am a Lightworker… and I’m on a mission to brighten your world.

I devote myself to being a bright and shining, unique flavor of light. I work for the purpose of the greater good, keeping the highest interest of all beings in mind. I embody light, peace and truth to uplift humanity with a compassionate heart.

My desire is to produce positive messages, spread wisdom and warm people’s spirits. I hope to usher in a wave of positivity, love and joy. I reach out into dark corners to gain perspective, then dig through the shadows to help find inner light. 

The sand artist’s light box dream world gives us an incredible opportunity for growth and learning, to manifest positive changes and to shine light on new ideas. 

Light is an ever changing and mysterious medium. It is energy, a wave, a pulse and a spectrum. It is invisible, yet makes everything visible. Light has the power to change our perceptions, creating focus while supporting activity. Light helps the world heal and transform. 

Raise the vibration of the planet by being a conduit of light. Embody your authenticity. Use your thoughts to create a positive reality that makes a shining statement. 

Add light to your world!

Services

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel

Little Snowhite - Lofi Sand Art Fairytale

Here's a new sand art story I've just released on YouTube... I've been working on this for a long, long time (over 5 years), and I hope you enjoy it. Not only did I create the illustrations in sand, but this is also my first attempt at creating the music that syncs with the sand art, as well!

These illustrations are just a preview... I'm still learning the animation.

I'm currently looking for venues to perform this sand animation live. If you know of a good venue for me to perform this animation, let me know in the comment section below.

"Little Snowhite" is based on the original Grimm's fairytale "Sneewittchen", which was first recorded by the brothers Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm in 1812. The timeless story is thought to have been based on the life of Margarete von Waldeck, a German countess born to Philip IV in 1533. She was forced to run away to Brussels, where she fell in love with a prince, who would later become Phillip II of Spain... Once upon a time. Fairytales are written for adults, with the intention that they should be shown to children, to teach them about the unfortunate evils of the world.

Read more about Sand Art STORYTELLING!

Voyage LA Magazine Interview

There’s a little article about me in Voyage LA Magazine…

Voyage LA Magazine

The Endangered Monarch Butterfly

Metamorphosis by Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel

Original Soundscape by Charlene Lanzel and Barrett Cobb (flute & vocals)

On July 21st, 2022 the migratory Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) was added to the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, as Endangered. Monarchs are threatened by pesticides and herbicides, as well as urban development, deforestation and climate change, which are killing off the native milkweed plants that monarch larvae need to survive. The western population is at greatest risk, having declined by about 99.9% since the 1980’s.

In North America, millions of monarchs tackle the longest migration of any insect species. After wintering in Mexico they head north, breeding along the way. Their offspring reach southern Canada, where they then begin the long trip back to Mexico at summer’s end.

Humans are largely to blame for the monarch’s decline. People have been coming together to protect this butterfly and its habitat. Unfortunately, well-intentioned gardeners are putting more stress on declining monarch populations by planting the wrong species of milkweed, the plant that monarchs lay their eggs on. Many gardeners are planting an exotic tropical species that grows year-round, when they should actually be planting the native species (Asclepias incarnata) that dies off each season. This causes monarchs to forgo migration, and that is a very big problem for the species.

Save The Monarchs!

SHOUTOUT LA Interview 1

An interview with Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel…

“Hi Charlene, what role has risk played in your life or career?”

SHOUTOUT LA

Sand Art Logo Animation

Your logo is the first thing people see when they come into contact with your brand. If you’re savvy, you already know that videos should be a part of your marketing strategy. Spice up your promotions by using a sand animation logo!

Your logo creates brand awareness and a more memorable image in your customer’s mind. With the use of a sand animation, your logo comes to life through motion, color and sound. Your animated logo will create a unique impression in your customer’s mind. A sand animation logo has a better chance of an emotional connection with your ideal audience, capturing and keeping their attention.

Use an animated sand art logo on your Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages! It’s a great attention-grabber that’s sure to make your followers stop and pay attention.

Birth of a Sand Artist

People often ask me how I got into making sand animations. It probably started for me in childhood, before I ever thought about a career in the arts...

I loved to watch PBS programs, particularly because of the artistic content. As a child, I loved all things art related. On Sesame Street, I saw an animation of two sand men throwing a sand ball back and forth on a light box. There was also a sand alphabet animated on Sesame Street. I was fascinated. In the summertime, on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, I would draw images in the sand, and wipe them away, trying to mimic those animations. I closed my eyes and faced the sun... and wished I could draw in the sand forever.

Later, I enjoyed watching International Film Festival animations on PBS. Every year the winners in the short animation category were broadcast. I loved watching them over and over. I told my mother I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I dreamt that I lived in New York. I started making flip book animations. 

I did become an artist when I grew up. I moved to New York City and found work creating window displays and also painting murals. I learned as I went along. Eventually, I landed jobs as a mural painter on big projects both nationally and internationally. I really enjoyed the work. I became very good at lettering and sign painting as well, which became useful skills later on.

While on a scaffolding, working on a large scale mural, I had an accident. I suffered from a head injury. A week later 9/11 happened. I needed something to ease my physical and emotional pain. I was out of commission for awhile healing, and feeling very vulnerable, so I started studying Buddhism. 

An artist friend of mine recommended a video to me that she had seen on something new called the internet. We had been talking about the Buddhist concept of impermanence and ephemeral art. It was a live animation by a Hungarian artist. He was creating sand animations on a light box, but as a live performance. An electric shock went through my body... I remembered how much I loved those animations from my childhood, and I had a flash vision of myself up there doing the performance. I had goosebumps. I watched it over and over.

As the internet grew in popularity, and YouTube came along, I saw a Ukrainian girl's sand animation performance getting passed around on Facebook. I started wondering if this art form was something for me to try.

Time passed, and the economy collapsed. Mural painters were out of work, due to advances in digital technology and the trend of minimalism. I needed something new to do. A co-worker mentioned sand animation and how desirable the art form was becoming. I decided in that moment to give it a try. I knew I had the skills necessary and I liked the idea of working with technology.

I spent a year researching, watching sand animation videos, and trying many different materials. I built my own sand table in my studio. It took me several months just to learn to move the sand. I also had to learn digital editing for music and film. It was a difficult process and I almost gave up. But, eventually, with a lot of practice and some patience, I created my first sand animation video and put it up on YouTube. A week later I was scouted to perform for the opening night after party for Cirque du Soleil's Zarkana show at Roseland in New York City.

The rest is history...

Charlene's Bio

MTV Sand Artist

(Re-posted from 07/31/15)

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel illustrated the MTV News in sand! The weekly artistic news story, 'This Week In News', was released on July 31, 2015.

Charlene illustrated 5 news stories in sand ...and the MTV logo.

A dream come true

Client List