K is for Kitchen Inspirations

For better or worse, we all have to eat. We've sought sustenance since we were born. Food and the kitchen, from which it hails, is a great way to break creative blocks.

Here are some suggestions for writers:

1. Write about your most memorable meals.
2. Create meals for your characters, and have those meals become a catalyst in the story.
3. Research different types of foods and then incorporate that knowledge into your work.
4. Look into the history of food and see if that leads you to discover any story lines or characters that could accentuate your work.

Asparagus with Fixins' c. 2015, Stephanie Rose Bird

And, here are a few suggestions for visual artists:

1. Collect food wrappers and packaging; use these materials to create fiber art, collage or assemblage.
2. Paint different types of foods with textures, colors and shapes that are interesting.
3. Study old still life works and consider some ways you could make contemporary statements with this age-old art form.
4. Learn to extract dyes from different types of vegetables and fruits and use those in your work as ink or water-based paint.

Finally, invite your critique group to bring kitchen creations to share with the group and see how those goodies enrich the conversation about all of your creative works.