I'm sure it's no secret to many of you that I love to cook. It's an art I am passionate about, that is satisfying and creative and therapeutic, much like painting is for me.

Sometimes the combination of colors, textures, and flavors is completely intoxicating...before it even makes it to my plate. I simply love the process.

A few weeks ago, when I was putting together a favorite salad, I was so swept away by the brilliant colors I was overcome with a desire to paint them. --Not a realistic rendering of the ingredients themselves, but a wild abstract painting capturing the passion and the flair of the process. I loved the result! (Coming soon!)

I started asking myself what other recipes had the makings of a great abstract painting. There has been a flurry of activity in my studio as I immersed myself in the painting process the way I do the cooking process. The colors are pungent, the textures are evocative, and the process involves pouring, spattering and so much more. I am launching a whole series of these "foodie abstracts" based on other favorite recipes. 

I'll be posting a new one every week or so, along with the recipes that inspired their creation. Stay tuned! This series is so different from my usual work, and not to be missed! 

Question: What recipes do you love that might also inspire a great work of art?
​Please share!

This is part of the Center Street Porch Series I painted of the historic homes in downtown Provo. It began as a plein-air painting project with one of my summer semester classes. I have always loved this freshly-remodeled house with all the flags. Today the "Freedom Festival" is going on throughout Provo, a longstanding tradition.

My greatest hope is that in all our flag-waving we not forget the motto on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free." This country would not exist, nor would it be as amazing and creative and diverse, without its influx of immigrants. We are all immigrants here in a sense. The truly brave welcome those from diverse backgrounds and cultures with open arms. Perfect love casteth out  fear.

Back in May we visited the Newseum in Washington, D.C. It was one of the more fascinating museums we've visited. One display showed a color-coded world map of the range of countries with a free press. I was amazed to see what a small percentage of the world has a truly free press. Thank heaven for a democracy where we live, and a press that remains free (regardless of white house bullying). 

I remember after 9/11 feeling an urgent need to purchase a flag to display. I was surprised to see how many people had the same idea....there were long lines of people, from every ethnicity and socioeconomic background waiting to buy flags. It was so important to show unity, solidarity, and support for our nation under attack. 

A divisive presidential election and its aftermath has left the country divided, hurting, and often angry. Hopefully it won't require another vicious terrorist attack to remind us that when all is said and done we are all Americans. That flag was designed as a symbol to lift and unify us all.

​O say, can you see an opportunity to to figuratively join hands and embrace others with tolerance and compassion, including those who think and feel differently?

Question: Which of our many freedoms are you most grateful for?