Creative Cooking in Spain

Fideua

Cooking outside on a barbecue is a wonderful way to enjoy time with family and friends.  Not that I needed an excuse, but when friends Francois (a French Chef - now that was a challenge!) and his wife Vilma arrived from Bordeaux I had to think creatively and produce a special lunch.  The choice was Fideua - a very Spanish dish and one that looks spectacular when finished. Essential ingredients in all my barbecues are friendly conversations, beer, wine, snacks and lots of warm weather.  Time is also a very important factor and spending at least five hours cooking, eating, drinking and enjoying a lively chat outside in the sun is just one of the many reasons I am living in Spain.  The long lunch is often followed by a siesta in the hammock or a dip in the pool.  Thankyou Francois and Vilma for making this day so special.

Photo by Francois Denis

Visiting Sofia

St Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Sofia, Bulgaria's capital since 1879 has many hidden surprises for its visitors and we were very fortunate to be guided around by our Bulgarian friends: Ana, Miglena and Veselin.

Surprises included the very beautiful interior of the Boyana Church, the fossil museum on the top floor of the University, the Russian Church, and wonderful Trojan treasures within the Museum of Archaeology. 

Art museums are always on my priority visit lists and I was not dissapointed in the National Art Museum.  Artists of note were Zahari Zograf, Boris Elisseev, Vladimir Dimitrov (The Master), and the favorite for me Nenko Balkanski (1907-1977).  His painting "Family", 1936 shows a starving couple with no hope and no food - but through this hardship there was a slight smile on his face - was it love?

Public-private investment is much needed in the monuments and museums of Sofia to modernise lighting and ambient conditions for their beautiful works of art - however I guess that the economic hardships of the country in general leave this task low on the priority list.

Creativity Out Of A Perfect Life

I always thought that creativity could only be the result of a life that has been adversely affected by war, politics, social change, psychological problems or personal upset.  Having had what can only be described as a perfect childhood growing up in Basildon and more importantly for me: Writtle, Chelmford, I do not really fit into any of the criteria listed above.  Writtle and my early memories within this beautiful village are now the subject of two current oil paintings.  These paintings are inspired by the wonderful life I had in this village and yes..........I can hear you reaching for the sick bag/delete page key........ but hey people can be happy and creative.  For a sneak-peak at one of these paintings check out the banner of my "artist" page:  http://www.artphotographypaintings.com/roger-sidney  -  this is the unfinished grisaille of one of the paintings.  How many other people out there have turned to the creative life out of beauty, goodness or a perfect life?