One thing really appealing to me about oil painting is the tactile thickness of the paint and the brilliance of the colors. It is reminiscent of cooking, another favorite creative outlet. The kale salad with peaches in the photo is a great example of the richness of color contrasts and textures of food that evoke a similar feel when contemplating the paint on my palette.
I enjoy perusing cookbooks for inspiration planning meals and rely on my instincts for what will appeal as it manifests into a delicious dish for dinner. My grandmother, Mrs. E, was a great cook and creating with food has always felt like part of our family’s identity, pursued by my aunt, mother and brother. Experimentation is elemental and we are reasonably confident that the result will generally be pleasing. If it’s not, we consider it a test run, learn and make it again. If something goes slightly awry in a meal, I brush it off and know what to improve on the next version of the culinary creation. Perfection isn’t required for the enjoyment of the result.
With painting, however, I have naturally been more tentative. Creativity manifests in many ways and with painting, I hold myself to a high standard with less leeway thinking about the outcome being experimental. It’s a mistake to think that every painting needs to be a masterpiece and available to display. Evolution is part of learning and it’s a skill to know when to declare a painting finished.
Although I understand from many years of studying with Susan Manders (www.artexperience.com), the importance of openness to process in oil painting and the knowledge that having an outcome in mind limits the possibility of where the artwork will evolve, releasing attachment to the outcome requires intention and is easier said than done.
Recently, while cooking, one of those epiphanies that feels more profound than it sounds struck. I realized the link between this very natural creativity and ease with cooking and with painting. This new insight is freeing and I am exhilarated to see where it leads.