As a food
photographer, I wanted to learn more about artistic composition and how it
relates to the presentation of food.
photo:Pujol
Would my dishes be
more inviting if they were artistically arranged much like a beautiful abstract
painting? Just ask anyone who has been to Pujol
in Mexico City and has seen the genius of Enrique
Olvera who takes plating food to meaningful new heights.
Cooking is technical
but more important it is creative. After all, you eat with your eyes first and
while conventional methods are used to present food, some chefs are now using
props such as glitter, seashells and paint to add some additional impact. Food
art.
Like any would-be
artist in San Miguel de Allende, I was ready to find my artistic inspiration so
I signed up for Jane Dill's one-day class: Intro to Mixed Media.
What did I learn in a
day?
Like cooking without a
recipe, there is something very liberating about Mixed Media having no
expectations which makes you wonder throughout the process just what your end
result will be.
An error suddenly
becomes a new technique. Doesn't this remind you of Molecular gastronomy?
An accidental color
combination is accepted for its creativity.
Honestly, it was so
much fun because like cooking anything goes in this class.
From layering to color,
texture and design, we used polymers, plaster, gels and metallics and got to
play with rubber stamps, stencils, collage and other materials.
Did we make a mess?
Yes, it looked just like my kitchen after making a 21-ingredient Mole.
About Jane...
Jane specializes in
teaching small groups and families. Getting that individual attention really
makes the difference.
Just imagine how much
fun the Lipson family had taking 3 days of classes from Jane this past week.
Her next classes are:
Mixed
Media - Texture & Mark Making: August 12-14
Introduction
To Mixed Media: August 19
Buen Apetito!