Growing into Bloom
Marissa and I had been talking about this road trip for a while. It was her birthday weekend and her biggest wish was to stand in a field of flowers. So we did it… we woke up early and took the I5 South destined Carlsbad. The expectations were high and we had a time limit to arrive before the famous Flower Fields closed. Things were going fairly smooth until we hit a few “speed bumps” along the way. Traffic, emotions, unexpected moments and a crowded Disney-Land-esque parking lot got us to the ticketbooth only a few moments before they closed the gates for entrance. It felt like a miracle we made it. We knew time was short and saw many others had the same idea: to stand in a field of flowers. A kind bearded man on a golf cart started to tell us the park was closing just as we began dipping deep into the beauty. He was jovial and turned out works full time as Santa Clause and is off-season job is working at the flower fields. Who knew Santa spends his springtime in Carlsbad?! Not a bad gig, making us chuckle that even Santa loves flowers.
“Somehow, America turns beauty into a theme park” I said as we left the parking lot with dusty feet. It was a strikingly similar dust to that of the Luxembourg gardens from our adventures around Paris. That night we ended up driving to San Diego to pick up her brother for a special, spontaneous dinner of soup dumplings. I was graciously taught how to eat them in the spoon in order to properly slurp the delicious soup. I struggled with chopsticks and we feasted on not only amazing Chinese dishes, but more so the presence of family and real life. My sister called and said she lived 10 minuets away from the restaurant. She came and gave me a hug, we sat and prayed in her car before Marissa and I headed back on the road for San Clemente. The flower fields were full of color, but it was the unplanned and unexpected that brought authentic vibrance into our weekend. We saw the blooms but learned what it means to grow.
Here are a few photos documented on our friend-trip (not merely a road trip). Instead of pretending to be in France or someplace else, we immersed ourselves into the golden California light. We sat in L.A. traffic. We ate a pique -nique with sandy feet on the ocean. It was both real and glorious all at once…
Together, we have finally collaborated on a poetic-print. We have made an “Ode to the Iron Ladies” collection in celebration of the beauty of both Paris and San Francisco. As Artists, this is a unique time of life as we simultaneously moved from the City of Light to the Golden State. These limited edition prints are an attempt to bring these slices of our two homes to the world and highlight their iconic beauty. Check them out and get your own in my treasure shop!
Joyeux Annivasiare to my dear photographer-paris-loving-poetic-pal, Marissa Wu. May this year be one of growing into bloom.
Our brief itinerary:
Spontaneous drive to San Diego to eat soup dumplings with family
A slow Sunday morning in San Clemente
Sunset Pique Nique on Carpinteria Beach with Marissa’s new typewriter
Santa Barbara coffee stop at Cajé on State street (where coffee is art) & visit to the iconic Courthouse
a grass nap at the huntington after hours of exploring gardens
“The Burnout” breve coffee at Cajé, designed by my friend and fellow artist Troy Y.
