A good day to all you stain masters! Last week, we sought out the accidental artistry of stains, scratching up stories and fueling our creative thoughts. Did you find a face in a coffee spill or a plein air-worthy landscape in a splash of misbehaving paint? Are there articles of clothing in your closet that you now see in a new light? Even if all you did was stock up on Spray and Wash, I hope turning these blemishes or mistakes into a plan to nudge ourselves into a better creative space got you better engaged with your slice of the world.
This week, we're engaging with an easy-to-spot object that's deeply rooted in Riverside's identity: citrus skin. As the familiar, fragrant white blooms of spring begin to thin, reminding us that summer approaches, our city's citrus trees continue to offer a wealth of sensory experiences, even after their fruit has been eaten.
For me, citrus skin holds a particular allure. I'm fortunate to have several varieties of citrus in my yard, thanks in part to Riverside’s “Tree Power Program” started in 2001. Indirectly, perhaps that is why my urban foraging includes a wild citron tree thriving near the intersection of Alessandro Boulevard and Chicago Avenue (where it confusingly transforms into Arlington and Central, respectively). The skin of the citron makes it look like a large, rough lemon. Or rather, lemons could be said to be smooth, small citron…it depends on which direction you are driving!
It’s remarkable how versatile citrus is. I love to cook and appreciate the simplicity and ease of adding a touch of the “fresh squeezed” to sauces and side dishes. That sparkle of flavor is an all-purpose enhancer, much like these creative nudges aim to add a tiny zing to your day. In fact, I even use a slice from my own Meyer lemon tree to keep kitchen sponges from developing that dreaded "stinky sponge syndrome."
Beyond its secret weapon status in the kitchen, citrus skin offers a scent-sational world of creative possibilities. Its varied textures, the burst of essential oils when scraped, and the sheer abundance in our citrus-rich community make it an ideal subject for creative contemplation.
If you don't have a citrus tree handy, consider a walk along Victoria Avenue, where fallen citrus offers plenty of material for your creative cookery. You might even find inspiration sitting or standing for a few minutes in the dappled shade of a citrus tree with one or more of these creative suggestions:
Peel Reveal: Zest or tear a piece of citrus skin. Inhale. Exhale. What memories does it evoke? What colors, places, or feelings come to mind? Create a short descriptive paragraph or a quick sketch that translates this olfactory experience into a visual or textual narrative.
Skin Deep: Notice the dimpled surface of an orange, the smoother, finer grain of a lemon, or the rougher rind of a grapefruit. Without looking, close your eyes and focus purely on the tactile sensations. Create an abstract drawing or a piece of prose that captures the unique "feel" of a specific citrus skin.
Citrus Tree Falls in the Woods: Experiment with sounds. Listen to the pop as you peel it, the crackle of dead, dried skin, the sizzle of juice on a hot surface. Use these sounds, or imagined sounds related to citrus, to compose a short sound poem, a percussive rhythm, or a descriptive passage focused on auditory details.
Still Life Citrus: Observe the intricate patterns, subtle color variations, and natural imperfections on a piece of citrus skin. Does it resemble a miniature landscape, an abstract painting, or perhaps a strange creature? Take a close-up photograph or create a detailed drawing, focusing on capturing the visual richness that often goes unnoticed.
Come to Where the Flavor Is: Think about the distinct "taste" profiles of different citrus varieties – the sharp tang of a lime, the sweet brightness of a tangerine, the floral notes of a Eureka lemon. Create a short flash fiction that captures the fading "taste" of that memory, using sensory language that might apply to both flavor and emotion.
Just as a little zest can elevate a dish, a little nudge to our focused attention can open up unexpected avenues for artistic expression, right here in our citrus-blessed city. Allow the vibrant scents, varied textures, and inherent versatility of citrus skin to awaken your senses and spark your creativity this week. But don’t take my word for it — just ask any bee you meet today.
This column was written with the help of Google’s Gemini Advanced, a powerful generative AI writing tool.
