edesse designs blog

Like, Yeah!

Besides being so beautiful outside today, I ran across these paintings from Angela Moulton's shop Pratt Creek Art. Yummy!

Doug Bloodworth

I L.O.V.E Doug Bloodworth's food paintings. Check out more of his stunning work, right here.

Realizations

That my life is both random and planned, that I know "I know" within seconds, that I must have tea after every meal, that shots don't hurt as much as I think they do, that it always gets done, that I love, that sometimes you have to bet it all and still loose, that I always sing in the shower, that bad things get better, and that I love JELLY BEANS....and life, 'cause it's beautiful, y'all!

Monday, C'est Toi?

'Cause, I'm really feeling you this morning. Given that I am NOT a day person, this sentiment is major. Busy week coming up, but I'm so ready.

And, doesn't this painting look absolutely delicious? I'm really digging Freckled Pancakes's food inspired paintings.

And, hey, you. I'm not going to bite.

Happy Monday, Er'body!

The Day I Lost It All

Come this Saturday, it will be a birthday of sorts--or rather, the end of an old life and the beginning of a new one. However, three years ago, I was absolutely certain that the world had opened up and swallowed me whole! I just remember wandering home minutes after everything vanished into thin air, wondering how things would ever be better again.

Oh, dear reader, I stand before you today a vastly different version of my former self. Let me tell you, the road from there to here was one of the hardest journeys I have ever had to travel. The thing is, if I had it to do all over again, I would--in a mother fucking heartbeat. I like where I am today--a work in progress for sure, but I'm living y'all and that feels all kinds of amazing.

Speaking of amazing, I just can't get enough of milk fly's goodies. This felt cake makes me all kinds of hungry.

Pamela Johnson

Easter Bunnies

Hostess Cupcakes

Girl Scout

M&M's

Oreos

There is just something about Pamela Johnson's  work. She manages to take everyday food products most of us have consumed at one point in time and capture them in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. Although the subjects she paints here are almost too simplistic and ordinary, the impact these paintings have had on me has been quite overwhelming.I've been looking at these painting all evening, trying to figure out what exactly is the hold they have over me.

There is much to be said about having to confront simplicity. For the most part, we don't think we have to, because embedded in its definition is the assumption that simplicity speaks for itself. However, during my short time on this earth, I realize that that is hardly ever the case. Simplicity is what often gives us the most trouble. We seek it but always underestimate its presence. I mean, how many times have we struggled to overcome things that are and were quite obvious? How many times do we disregard the writing on the wall? For most of us, I'm sure the answer to any one or both of these questions is more times than we ever thought possible. And that's humbling, y'all. And scary, too. Makes me wonder about my  mettle.

Love

Lovely soaps from Sun Basil Garden--just in time for Valentine's Day.

Snack Cakes

Despite growing up in the worst kind of poverty imaginable, sometimes we found ourselves rich enough to afford snack cakes. And boy, did we take advantage of that opportunity. In those days, a dollar went so far. Little Debbie and Hostess pastries were 10 cents each. We'd buy them and take them to the big magnolia tree right outside the kitchen window and eat them under the shade. We made ourselves sick but we felt rich.

Looking back on those times makes it crystal clear why I find myself, today, obsessed with food. We were poor but we had food on the table. My dear mom fought tooth and nail to make that a reality. I'd be lying if I said it was not a constant worry. However, when I came home from school there was always something waiting for me at the table. Sure, it may have only been a slice of bread or a piece of welfare cheese, but it was something and I felt human.

Since money was out of the question the majority of the time, food became the currency by which I obtained my relevance. Perhaps I could not talk about the latest movie or that show on cable television, but I could discuss, in great detail, what I had for dinner the night before. And, those special times when my mom had enough to give me a dollar, I could go to the neighborhood corner store and purchase a snack like these--with my friends. AND, by some miracle, I would always have enough to share with those friends who had it even worse than myself. Although poverty rendered me insignificant to those who did not care to see me beyond my socioeconomic status, food allowed me to cultivate a sense meaningfulness to those who did.

Through food, I learned a value system, which included generosity and sacrifice, security and vulnerability, fullness and emptiness, and an ability to believe that things can happen despite you not knowing how or when.  These lessons I carry with me to this day and thank these damn snack cakes for each and every one of them.

I did not mean to go off on a tangent, but these snack cakes created by Milk Fly just did something to me in a way that makes me keenly appreciative for the tough times I've experienced so far. These past few weeks, I've been doing some soul searching and know no bad experience encountered has remained in that state. It always manages to teach me some really important lesson and further transforms me into a much better version of myself. I feel quite blessed for this and have no complaints.

It also makes me less afraid of the trials I know still rest ahead. I look forward to the subsequent transformations that will result as a consequence. I do know this--what always falls out is an increased capacity to love others and myself.

Just One of THOSE days

Leelu and Piggy deliver with this awesome painting entitled Strong. I love the detail in the bubbles. You know, I hate those corny motivational corporate posters with those pseudo deep messages of teamwork, persistence, and courage. Then again, I hate most things corporate so that should come as no surprise. However, if ever I had to do corporate (or if I had a legit office somewhere) this painting would be hanging over my desk.

I was supposed to make apple pies today but got lazy. Tomorrow?

Janet Hill Studio

Janet Hill Studio has been a favorite of mine for quite sometime--especially her food inspired paintings. These cake and pastry paintings make me wish I owned my own bakery in some magestic otherworldy place.  Her work is fantastic--and just has a somthing than makes it uniquely special.

She also has a blog, which highlights more of her art.