After Glow

I couldn't have asked for a better outcome and turnout for the Eco-Art Harvest Event: A Simple Salad Social.

...A steady easy flow of friends, colleagues, and professors entered my studio with grace and openness. I was met with helpful hands, curiosity, and words that described delighted palates and intrigue for living things.

The aesthetic was as rustic meets modern, simplicity meets elegance, moody meets bright. The elements were living vegetation, water, wood, fire, white vintage linens and light. Greens under growlights, candles, ambient music and the sound of trickling water met with intellectualist conversation.

Above all: good food, good beer, good wine.

One of my colleagues said, 'You transformed your studio into a Bistro!' Indeed.

I served the salads "live", as a series (each with a pairing). For the finale I harvested large bunched of the 'Green Wave' (an heirloom mustard green), washed and chopped in real time, tossed with garlic-rosemary roasted whole potatoes and tomatoes, and a rich and earthy roasted garlic vinaigrette.

When the en masse left, I sat down with a glass of Gigondes and relaxed with the remaining few (my sister included!), and enjoyed a favorite salad with some rustic Italian potato bread.

What a lovely affair, and what a wonderful way to share the celebratory nature of this body of work.

Oh, incredible edibles...
Amore!


Salad 1: The Anti-Oxidant
Greens. Blueberries. Strawberries
Carrot & Toasted Almonds
Lemon-Cayenne-Honey Vinaigrette

Ortrugo, Santa Giostina (Italy)
Oro de Calabaza, Jolly Pumpkin (Dexter, MI)


Salad 2: A Favorite
Arugula. Purple Shallot
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Whole Grain Dijon Vinaigrette

Tempranillo Organica, Santa Julia (Argentina)


Salad 3: Old World
Green Wave Heirloom Greens
Whole Roasted Red & Gold Potato & Tomato
Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Gigondas, Domaine de Fontsane, 2006 (France)