Monday, November 26, 2012

memory painting is like making a pizza

Painting from memory is like making a pizza. All the stored knowledge you possess is the dough... that all important part you use every time. The toppings are the manipulations- the new ideas you bring to the pizza to make this one unique. In painting we manipulate color, value and shape. With pizza it's the sauces, cheeses and toppings. One time it's heavy in roasted garlic and basil and another time the sauteed  onions and sun dried tomatoes sing the song.
So in order to use your memory you have to work at that dough and spend time in the field studying, drawing, painting. Then the dough recipe is solid. You can now focus on the toppings...the real fun.
 This one (above)  has the sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and onions on a chickpea garlic paste.

I end today's crazy blog post with  a quote from a most amazing painter, George Inness and a recipe for pizza dough.

"The purpose of the painter is simply to reproduce in other minds the impression which a scene has made upon him. A work of art does not appeal to the intellect. It does not appeal to the moral sense. Its aim is to instruct, not to edify, but to awaken an emotion." -- George Inness  


 pizza dough

4 1/2 cups  unbleached high-gluten, bread, or all-purpose flour, chilled
1 3/4  teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/4 cup  olive oil (optional)
1 3/4 cups  water, ice cold (40°F)
Semolina flour OR cornmeal for dusting 

9 comments:

Donna T said...

It's amazing how your memory groups all the dark shapes together and leaves out any distracting bits. Really nice work, Loriann. Thanks for the quote - I needed that. Pizza sounds good - thanks for the recipe too!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Your pizza analogy is wonderful, Loriann! The dough must be just right before all the creative toppings are put in. I'll be thinking pizza next time I'm beginning a new painting.

And this pizza you painted is simply beautiful!

Celeste Bergin said...

great comparison. Love the painting...and I might just try that recipe!

loriann signori said...

Thanks Donna. Good observation about the grouping. I am just playing with color and shape.

Thanks Janelle And Celeste.
I am not sure what made me go on that pizza tangent...it just happened. I think you know what I made for dinner tonight. This one had a white bean garlic basil spread (instead of sauce) and lots of sundried tomatoes, marinated artichokes and mushrooms and roasted peppers in huge piles/ Awesome. Happy painting and bon appetit!

Linda Nickles said...

I love this painting -- it is stunning; and I especially enjoy your pizza dough analogy. Thank you for sharing.

loriann signori said...

Hi Linda and welcome to my blog! Thanks for your kind words about the painting.

Liz Steinglass said...

I love the pizza connection. My question is: where do the feelings fit in? This painting feels so peaceful to me.

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

Nomomomonomonomonommmmmmmmmmm on all counts! - I'll be making pizza as well as painting this weekend now for sure.

loriann signori said...

Hi Liz! Good question! The feelings are the pizza pan that hold the whole thing together and make it work.

Hi Lisa, enjoy!