Artist Date:Super Bloom
Per Julia Cameron in the book “ The Artist’s Way” an Artist Date is a weekly solo outing to explore, refresh and replenish your creative energy. It can be anything from a walk in nature, visiting a museum, to going to a movie. It should be something that is enjoyable and stimulating, as well as something that allows you to connect with your creativity. This date is an opportunity to be alone with yourself and your thoughts, and to break out of your routine and give yourself permission to explore and re-connect with your creativity. It is meant for you to do alone.
I love going on artist dates. Though I don’t always do them weekly I do often do them intuitively, getting in my car and seeing where my inner guidance leads me. I have ended up at my favorite coffee shop, the lake, the beach, speciality shops, wineries, my favorite restaurants, spending time in nature and just going for long drives. One thing these dates always include for me is photography (and probably food). I love looking through the lens of a camera. There is something very meditative about looking through that lens and trying to compose the perfect shot. Photography was my first creative love, even before cooking and painting. It is how I learned composition. I never took classes and can’t say that I ever got to a place where I considered myself skilled. I just enjoy it and now I take pictures to get inspired. Noticing colors, textures, shapes and filling myself up with the beauty of nature. It makes me happy and it thrills me even more if I find something I want to paint.
This time my artist date took me on a drive to see the California Super Bloom on Soda Lake Road. So what is a super bloom? The super bloom is an event that occurs in California each year when the desert wildflowers come into full bloom, creating a stunning and vibrant display of color. It is a unique and fleeting event that draws in thousands of people each year. The blooms are a reminder of the delicate beauty of nature and of the incredible and diverse landscapes that California has to offer.
The rain in California has had an amazing effect on the super bloom this year. As a matter of fact we had more rain then I think we have had in the 25 years I have lived here. Never ever did I think I would hear a fellow Californian say they were sick of the rain yet many of us were pushed to our limits. But because of it this year’s wildflower bloom is one of the most spectacular in recent memory, with vibrant colors and fragrances .Due to the extra rainfall this season, the blooms are larger than usual and more vibrant, making for an unforgettable experience.
Visiting the super bloom is an experience like no other. The vibrant colors of the wildflowers spread out as far as the eye can see and the sweet smell of nature fills the air. Did you know that wildflowers have a scent? I guess I never thought about it before but I was surprised with a sweet subtle fragrance that I won’t forget. The super bloom is an incredible sight to behold and it's a feeling of awe and wonder. The feeling of being surrounded by such beauty and the knowledge that it is only temporary make it all the more special. It's an experience that will stay with me forever and the memories of this particular super bloom will be cherished for years to come. I am sorry to say that my pictures just don’t do it justice. There was something about the intensity of the yellow that stays with me. I swear it was like yellow on steroids. I have never seen anything like it. Sure there were long stretches of land with no flowers, and dirt roads that I swore would never end but when there were flowers it could be acres full at a time. I have driven out to see the wildflowers in years past but never have I seen it like this. I am so grateful for my artist dates, for the rain this year and the incredible display of wildflowers it brought us.
I hope you enjoy the pictures and the beauty of 2023 California super bloom. These pictures were taken on Soda Lake Road off California Hwy 166
~Marcia