The Grind

It's hard being an art student. While you are exempt from tedious mathematical problems and formulas, textbooks filled with documented strands of human logic, and rote memorization, you are not exempt from thought. Art is hard, my friends. Art within the institution, is even harder. Your only basis of validation and "academic" success is comprised of pure subjectivity. Your "schoolwork" is not just something to be turned in, scribbled on with red ink, and transcribed into a metonym of self-worth. It's your perception of beauty, your creation. Every time you present something, you are making yourself vulnerable to peers who might be more experienced, and instructors who are clearly more experienced. A bad critique does not just stipulate a bad day. You can't just "study harder" for the next critique or "prepare" to make compelling work. If it's bad, it's just. . . bad. In some ways, I enjoy it, in other ways, I hate it. Suffice it to say that some days I come home mentally exhausted, and all I want to do . . .

is cook :)

A few creations from this week:

On Monday what began as a small endeavor turned out to be a 4 1/2 ordeal from start to finish. But I was proud of the finished product. I just wish I had my own team of sous chefs to move things along. Oh well. A gratin at 12 am is a delicious gratin nonetheless.

Sweet potato gratin with spinach, gruyere, thyme, and parsley
(Oh & lots & lots 'o' cream)

Roasted pepper and tomato soup
mmMMm warm & hearty.

Wholesome meal for a long day :)



Yesterday I just wanted to experiment, so I made these recipes
from scratch. . .

"Polenta Benedict"
Baked polenta disks, creamed spinach & crimini mushroom, topped with eggs over easy
A side of mini heirloom tomatos, grapes, balsamic vinegar, and a little bit of e.v.o.o

Refreshing salad

This morning I decided to use up the buttermilk that's been sitting in the fridge. . .
Buttermilk biscuits!
(There wasn't enough buttermilk anyway, so I subbed in plain yogurt...turned out moist and yummy and crusty on the outside. YUM!)

Beautiful.... delicate hands.