One day while enjoying my second hand copy of
Julia Child’s classic cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking - Vol
I, I was struck by the beautiful language describing the fresh ingredients
in the recipes as well as the lyrical French titles of the various dishes. The
combination was basic and elegant at the same time ~ simple and fresh and
extraordinary.
Because creativity in itself is a mystery, I won’t
attempt to explain the alchemy that produced the idea to create
compositions with images of live animals accompanied by a variety of fresh
ingredients ~ fruits and vegetables ~ served up with French titles, but I will
tell you that the conception of these works came together nearly effortlessly and with great passion like
the very best cooking often does and are presented to you fresh from my studio
for your enjoyment.
A note of clarification may also be in order. I
have been asked a few times by concerned collectors whether my intent was to
depict the live animals in these works just before they were to be cooked. Not
at all! I can assure you that the animals in this series are a part of a life
affirming composition and exist in my mind and in the work in very lively
condition.
Thank you for giving me the great pleasure of
sharing these works with you.
~ C.C. Barton
