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Do something with it.  Saveur magazine sent me an email. I imagine thousands of other subscribers also received it, but I felt that it was a personal message. It was entitled “Everything You Can Do With an Eggplant.”  And although I do welcome eggplant recipes, I had more than a culinary interest.  The article reminded me of a significant incident during the summer between my college graduation and my wedding. I was living with my parents. One morning I walked into the kitchen and on the counter was an eggplant. Next to the eggplant was a note: “This is an eggplant.  Do something with it by five o’clock.”  

blank canvas, model, start

To this day, when I am confronted with a model and a blank canvas, there is self imposed pressure to “do something with it.”  During the first moments, I experience pangs of doubt. This doubt may be rooted in my lack of a formal art education coupled with my high expectations. Perhaps if I had majored in art, that foundation would bolster me.   Perhaps I would feel more assured if I weren’t compelled to paint an interesting portrait that looks exactly like the person. Daunting. 

Adam bombed

Last week, as my portrait was near completion, the doubt finally vanished. No doubt about it. The painting was an unquestionable failure. It did not resemble the model and it was not very interesting. As I write, it occurs to me that no manual or recipe book could have guided me to create a likeness. A formal art background would not have guaranteed an interesting portrait.  I am struck by the notion that my successful paintings come from attentiveness, luck, intuition, enthusiasm, and courage.  And experience.

Bev

My favorite paintings are colorful and not overworked. Many have flaws and look uncontrolled. They capture the likeness and spirit of the individual.  They have energy. These are characteristics that are not circumscribed by technique or process. They have to do with the moment. They are about transforming my initial doubt into an opportunity.

I don’t remember what I did with that eggplant forty-eight years ago. However, now when I have an eggplant, I am able to do something with it.  My eggplant parmesan, ratatouille, and baba ghannouj are usually successful.

Just for fun…check out this song on YouTube!