Lovin' that Can-Do attitude

Artist Connie Lovell is such an inspiration.

Litter-inspired art challenges the way I look at art. And I learned today, life. 

While walking to the beach, I see a great big blue something rising from a truck trailer parked at Andy Bowie beach on South Padre Island, Texas.

As I get closer, this blue behemoth takes on form. It's a dolphin (christened Dolly), frozen in a happy moment, leaping above lively, sparkling waves. As I get even closer, I see she’s born from a jumble of trash, litter, stuff people toss out on the beach and overboard boats. It’s all artistically juggled, magically creating Dolly.

Dolly. Photo by Al Fasoldt 

She’s beautiful. Mesmerizing. Intricate.

But the real story for me is the artist, Connie Lovell, 64, a tireless devotee of clean beaches and life. She began making these sculptures four years ago — age 60. She simultaneously built a successful Clean up The Beach campaign while upcycling thousands of pounds of tossed-out plastic into major art installations.

My life lesson? Age is no barrier to start something new. Attitude is.

Four years ago, at age 60, she hated the trash littering the Texas beaches so much, she didn’t complain. She sought a solution. And became that solution.

 Her age was no barrier. She just got up and did.

Bravo, Connie.

To find out more about Connie and her creations — Humberto the Great Blue Heron, Miguel the MahiMahi, Josie the Green Sea Turtle, Rusty the Red Snapper, Chloe the Clown Fish, Calli the BlueCrab. There are more — visit her personal website and the one for her project.

Excellent photographer Al Fasoldt and Rusty the Red Snapper

Dolly's tongue is a pink flipflop. Her teeth a transformed laundry basket.

This is how I can help.