"The beginning is the most important part of the work." ~ Plato
"Water is life. If all of us can do a little bit, we can change the world together." ~ Wyland
If you know me or follow me as an artist, I don't typically talk about my day job as a public affairs manager (https://linkedin.com/in/tiffanybaca1). I am fortunate that I found a career that I love. I get to incorporate my passion for creating art, my love for building and nurturing partnerships, my zeal for mobilizing creative teams, and my authentic enthusiasm for communicating and connecting with people every day. The Streams of Hope campaign was developed in partnership with the Wyland Foundation, the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), OC Conservation Corps, and the County of Orange's Adopt a Channel program to raise awareness about good water stewardship and pollution prevention. Orange County, California, community artists and high school art groups were selected to illustrate their ideas about good water stewardship and protecting our ocean and waterways, keeping them free of trash, harmful chemicals, and other pollutants. The cherry on the cupcake was a countywide cleanup event that culminated on Earth Day, 2022. If you are interested in learning more about it, check out www.mystreamsofhope.com.
Re:Imagine Garden Grove Open Streets - Saturday, April 2, 2022 - Garden Grove, California.
"I've never been booed in my hometown." ~ Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
I have lived in the City of Garden Grove, California, for 20 years. When gathering interest from Orange County water providers for their participation in this countywide campaign, I couldn't let the city I've made home for the past two decades not be represented. While this is not a project I would typically take on, I promised that if I couldn't secure a local Garden Grove artist to represent the city in the campaign, I would be happy to do it. One of the challenges was that the local artist selected would need to paint live at the city's Re:Imagine Garden Grove Open Streets event, a 2.2-mile scoot, skate, walk, or bike, family-friendly experience. The artist would set up next to the city's stormwater experts, and the two booths would compliment each other. It turns out I was meant to be the artist for my city, and it was a terrific experience from start to finish.
"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures." ~ Henry Ward Beecher
I was able to complete most of the outline at the Re:Imagine Garden Grove event. The artwork has many elements and took another two full days+ at home to finish. It was overcast outside, so I was able to comfortably create in my own backyard with wildlife swooping in and out, music on demand to accompany me, and my vision of the story I wanted to tell.
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." ~ John Muir
Starting at the head of the whale, the artwork begins with a story of life-giving water that flows from the mountains to towns, across land that grows our food and supports native plants and animals. I included Orange County's groundwater source in the whale's pectoral fins and added runoff and erosion along the coastline. The story ends at the whale's tail. This final piece celebrates the sea and fish in the ocean that nourish us in one way or another.
Inspiration...
I'm a California girl. I moved here in 1995, and I love everything about this state, from the mountains to the desert and the sea. My inspiration is in the landscape and the overwhelming relief I feel outdoors in nature, where everything makes sense. I see the gifts that a healthy environment provides when we take care of it and know without a doubt that each one of us is powerfully part of the solution. When most people think of Orange County, ocean and beach living images come to mind. The truth is that there are more cities, neighborhoods, homes, and businesses inland than along the coast, and every person who lives here has a responsibility to keep our waterways and ocean healthy and free of debris. The trash and chemicals that are washed into the street enter our waterways and end up in the sea. I hope that this campaign inspired people to take a moment to think about how their actions can influence the planet that sustains us and make lasting behavioral changes that positively impact the environment.
"For many generations... they bore the burden of their wealth and possessions lightly, and did not let their high standard of living intoxicate them or make them lose their self-control" ~ Plato, Timaeus (on the lost island of Atlantis)
Atlantis Play Center is located in the City of Garden Grove and is a clean, safe environment for children and their families to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise. After Stella #13 was placed here, a friend and I went to visit her and I was really impressed with the sheer size and beauty of this park. There are water-themed slides - a whale and a sea dragon - a Viking ship for kids to play in, plenty of shaded areas for picnicking under the trees, and even ol' Neptune himself, the salty dog.
Given the intent of the Streams of Hope campaign, it is sort of ironic that Stella #13 lives in Atlantis. The legend goes that the lost city was a sophisticated civilization with a healthy respect for the environment. Because of this, they were aligned with the Earth's natural systems, and they prospered. Eventually, as Atlanteans grew more powerful, they became greedy and petty, turning away from virtue and kindness, and the gods decided to punish them. The gods sent fire and earthquakes to the city, causing Atlantis to sink into the sea. This legendary myth is about human nature and the consequences of getting too big for our britches. It's not too late to make better choices and improve our way of life.
For more original artwork, photos and stories, visit tiffanybaca.com.
Credits:
All photos were taken by Tiffany Baca.