Destination:SuperBLOOM

The Origin and Inspiration

My first solo show is open!

 

I’m thrilled that my first solo show, “Destination: Superbloom,” is officially opening tomorrow in Half Moon Bay, California. At the very end of this post, I’ve shared all the details of how you can visit the gallery in person if you’re local, but first, I wanted to share a bit of the backstory behind what the show means to me. 

If you’ve been here a while, you know that I love tromping around the world with sketchbook in hand. I’ve always loved capturing memories in my sketchbook and how it helps embed each memory deeper in my mind. When I look back at my sketches, I can feel the wind on my face and the crisp smell of the air as I recall where I was when I created that art. It’s only been recently that I’ve turned my sketchbook towards the horizon directly behind our house—to the vast Pacific coastline and the blooming hills of coastal San Francisco. I’ve found so much enjoyment in painting the landscape here. So I started experimenting with a more stylistic approach—letting bold colors and shapes define the landscape, mixed with loose brushwork. The seeds of what would become part of the Superbloom collection. Right around this time we spent three weeks in French Polynesia (one of many trips over the last few years) and I basically turned our family vacation into my own personal artist retreat. This is nothing new—I met my husband our first week in art school after a shared art history lecture. So, he’s no stranger to me creating art as we travel, I simply leaned in a little harder this time. I brought travel art supplies and rolled up canvas to paint larger pieces. I came home so rejuvenated and inspired—no small miracle, as we had experienced a string of fertility losses. The trip was meant to be a reset. While we were traveling, we signed the final paperwork to start the IVF process. Back home in my studio, I had a stack of wonderful sketches, the start of a few canvas paintings, and the kernel of an idea for a more playful take on what I painted on the beach—all of which was fresh inspiration to carry me through the grueling mental and physical process of IVF.  

One day I was feeling confident and decided to reach out to a local gallery. I had a short meeting with the curator and owner, Marianna, and to my great surprise, she was interested in me having my own show! I wasn’t fully confident that IVF was going to work for growing our family, and so I found myself trying to make contingency plans, with things to work towards and look forward to. 

Marianna was very interested in the coastal pieces that felt a little more stylistic, but she was also booking for the gallery over two years out. As you all know, IVF was indeed successful for us and we welcomed our second son Ezio last January, right as she sent through the dates of my show … time to get busy! 

When Marianna came over for our first studio visit last June, I was a little lost in my creativity. I was still figuring out what this collection was going to look like and second-guessing my bold colors. I had a few half-done paintings propped up in the crib, which was in my office at the time, and I was still figuring out mothering two kids while also trying to make art and manage my business. 

I’m so grateful that Marianna reminded me that day of the reason she was first drawn to my work: the bold colors and more stylistic shapes. I started to find my footing, and over the next several months, I was able to complete the collection and show work that I was really proud of—work that felt authentic to who I am and the type of art I love to create inspired by places that have moved me.

It feels especially poignant that we always had the idea for this show to both take place during the superbloom, as well as be focused on it.

Google defines superbloom as “a rare phenomenon where an unusually high percentage of dormant wildflower seeds germinate and blossom simultaneously, creating vast, colorful landscapes, and it’s often triggered by an exceptionally wet rainy season following years of drought.” It’s not lost on me that the term Superbloom has more meaning than one for me now, with this show. 

I’m beyond excited for the show to open and for the start of this season, starting with my own personal Superbloom. If you’re local, I would LOVE to meet you and welcome you to the gallery to check out the artwork in person. “Destination: Superbloom” is a culmination of years of studying coastlines and the magic, hope, and color they have brought to my life, both literally and figuratively.

Cheers!

Cara

Some additional details on Destination: Superbloom

February 28 – April 12, 2026

Opening Reception Sunday, March 1, from 1-4 p.m.

First Friday Artist Talk April 3 at 5 p.m.

Presented by M Stark Gallery, 727 Main Street, Half Moon Bay