Homage to the Great Tomato

copyright

#179/365 Paintings

The tomato’s got jealous of the carrots and well, I’m a softie. And I so love tomato’s. It’s summer and they are showing off for us in every garden. Does anyone have an amazing spaghetti recipe?

……………

Project notes: This is the last of the food paintings. Look for the introduction to the new showcase on Monday. So ready to dive into it. Long rest, weekends off and some new art supplies I love and the second wind is here.

Gourmet or Diner Burger? Both/Neither/All

Copyright

#177/365 Paintings

I’m super impressed by the burger scene in San Francisco. The variety and creative ingredients. They take their burger stacks seriously here. A simple diner burger is never just that. There will be something that offsets it to the unique and special. While there are 600 restaurants in SF that serve burgers, some restaurants like Barney’s in Noe Valley create a burger ‘experience’ — I even see a pineapple version of the classic burger. Since I’m a ground turkey person over ground beef, I was impressed to see it on the menu with all the dressings of the speciality burger. I know I sound like a burger commercial, but I’m seriously excited about this discovery. If you share this geeky passion, visit this slideshow: Top 25 burgers (and I think there are events, like a burger crawl as well). This painting is from Burger Urge in my neighborhood. Wow, if only I had 9 stomachs.

 

SF Bistro Central Parc Creme Brûlée

Copyright

#176/365 Paintings

I have a dear friend, a very special friend who has such a passion for Creme Brûlée it makes you think she is entering a new country of new flavors and comforts with the thought of it — she invented the dance of solidarity with this fine dessert. Sage Cohen is a poet. Everything she expresses… whether it’s copy for business, poetry, for her son or loved ones is brilliant and gets you on the soul level. So, of course I simply had to order this dessert for my birthday celebration at Bistro Central Parc in NOPA. A soulful week of celebrations deserved nothing less. When Creme Brûlée came to the table, the French (cheek kisses all the way) waiters turned down the lights and had the whole restaurant sing happy birthday. Of course I thought to myself, Sage would approve… She would approve this “all the way.”

 

San Francisco Green Chili Kitchen Tamales

Copyright

#174/365 Paintings

I feel very lucky to live just a block away from Green Chili Kitchen’s New Mexican style cuisine. My girlfriend’s and I made a spontaneous stop there on the way Centro Bistro Parc for my final (whew!) birthday party of the week. The margarita’s were amazing, but these Tamales I could easily live on. Handmade/homemade corn tortillas, vegan sweet potato and pork or chicken. With the roasted (not too hot) chili peppers and guacamole quesadilla’s, we were in girl party heaven. Across the street is Chili Pies by the same owner. The chocolate pecan is on my list if I can fit one more thing into my stomach. These two restaurants are in a constant state of buzz and good feeling. When my birthday was mentioned they boisterously took 15% off the bill. That’s the spirit!

 

It’s the “I don’t give a rat’s butt about apple pie!” Apple Pie.

Copyright

#173/365 Paintings

It’s true. After Birthday party number 5 I never wanted to see another morsel of food again, much less paint it. Even my toes bulge out of my socks right now and the rabbits are leaving a bit of carrot for me after their breakfast. It’s the only safe food.

But alas, here is a very bright colored Apple Pie. And it is summer, so for you… here is a sweet recipe. In fact it’s a video recipe.

………………

Project Notes: I wondered when it would happen. When I would hit the wall and want a nice long break from painting. I’m there. Taking weekends off is a good start. But why couldn’t I have titled this project 365 painting minus 76 because I’m wobbly human? Silly, silly, silly redhead. Deep breath. It’s a process.

Bottles of Liquid Good Feelings

Copyright

#172/365 Paintings

Do you see the wine goblet glasses behind these bottles? I call them stage hands. They hang out in the background working hard for the stars of the show. Without them the wine bottles would simply be wine in a bottle. With them, people and good feelings take center stage. I like that.