Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail to someone

Christmas Day games have been an NBA tradition since the league’s second season in 1947. This year, five games are being played, headlined by yet another meeting between last season’s Finals participants, as the Golden State Warriors play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rob the Original makes Steph Curry in salt art

While Steph Curry will sit out this visit by LeBron James to rest his twisted ankle, he still looks ready to hoop when rendered in salt. Confused? Read on…

ROB THE ORIGINAL

If, by chance, you’ve invited Rob “The Original” Ferrel over to your house for Christmas dinner, plan to set the table sans tablecloth and with plenty of extra salt shakers. Scroll down to get a taste of Ferrel’s sumptuous salt art.

Salt portraits!!!!! #robtheoriginal #saltartist #saltart #saltportraits

A video posted by Rob Ferrel (@robtheoriginal) on

Ferrel, who runs a famous hair styling shop in San Antonio, Texas, discovered a second talent some time ago: brushing portraits from Morton’s table salt sprinkled atop a table.

PASS THE SALT

A video posted by Rob Ferrel (@robtheoriginal) on

For the 2015 NBA Finals, ESPN invited Ferrel to their studios, where he demonstrated his artistic prowess by rendering LeBron James and Steph Curry on top of the anchors’ desk.

ANCIENT PRECEDENT

As contemporary as Ferrel’s subjects are, the underlying art form — creating temporary masterpieces with fine particles — is ancient. For centuries, tantric buddhist monks have created images of intricate mandalas using millions of grains of sand.

A photo posted by Kelly Waller (@kewanderlust) on

Once a piece is finished, it is enjoyed for a short time, before being ritualistically wiped out as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of existence.