Meet Lola Camacho | Artist and Ecology Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lola Camacho and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lola, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe most folks have an inherent capacity and desire for creativity/art, but often times we lack the encouragement or the opportunity to fully explore and develop that side of ourselves. I have always had a strong inclination towards art and self expression, but lacked the resources, confidence, and support to really pursue those aspirations until just a few years ago. It has always been my end goal to pursue a creative career that is both informative about the world around us, and to hopefully inspire others to consider and love the land that sustains us.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The farther I advance in life, the more I realize my work and the message I would like to share isn’t about what sets me apart, but in the commonality we share as a species, as parts of a larger ecosystem and the importance of slowing down enough to realize this. My story, much like the plants/ecology I advocate for, is about perseverance: as a neurodivergent person, a BIPOC woman, a survivor of abuse, someone who can and has been easily marginalized or cast aside by societal norms. This unfortunately is a common experience in our short lives, so I would like to share my work and my story to illustrate the importance of keeping one foot out of the human world and in the more than human world. Ultimately, it is the land and not society that sustains us, we need to find a balance between the two.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Sonoma is known for its multitude of world famous wineries, and organic farms, but if you know what´s really good, you’ll know nature takes center stage here. Sonoma is Miwok, Pomo, and Wappo land, and the name Sonoma itself is Indigenous, roughly translating to ´Valley of the Moon´

A drive though Sonoma coast State Park to Bodega Bay fish market for fresh oysters or fish and chips, followed by a stop at Cafe Aquatica in Jenner for coffee, dessert, local art, and live music right on the water.

A walk through the more than thousand year old Redwoods at Armstrong Redwood State National Reserve is not only breathtaking, but also serves a reminder that only 10% of Californias Coastal Redwood habitat remains, the majority of which was lost to logging and development with the arrival of settlers.

A great burger and local beer/wine at the Rio Nido Roadhouse is a great way to end the day, with a quick walk across the street to view the Russian River, or even take a dip in the warmer months.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Certainly, my friends and family deserve much credit in always supporting my creative work, since the beginning they have always encouraged me to keep going, even when I get caught in feelings of futility or inadequacy. Being that my work is mostly comprised around the importance/beauty of Native plants and supporting local ecologies, The California Native Plant Society has also been an integral source of support, community, and education for me. They are an extraordinary organization that does tremendously important work here in California around the conservation, education, and awareness of the immense biodiversity found in the state.

Website: https://www.lolacamacho.net/

Instagram: @littl.rain