Creative Humans - Blake Suarez
The first time I met illustrator, Blake Suarez, I was sitting at a wine bar in Charleston SC, with his lovely girlfriend, Olivia. Blake walked in, introduced himself and joined us for a wine. It wasn't long before Blake began drawing. We were talking of his and Olivia's love for the pacific north west, and seeing as I was about to head there for my very first time, they began sharing their knowledge of places to visit, things to do and the very best of eats. Blake promptly began making a list, jotting down Seattle must do's and drawing little pictures next to them to better describe each suggestion. I smiled. Ahh, attention to fun creative detail, I thought. I'm going to like this guy. Moments later, a couple of Olivia and Blake's friends walked into the bar. One of the guys was wearing a t-shirt with Blake's illustrations on it. A design he had created for the branding of this new friends business. It wasn't long before I started noticing Blake's illustrations all over Charleston town - on salt tins, on cocktail syrup bottles, on favourite local websites. A quick look at some of his work over at Fuzzco, will show that his illistrations go well beyond his current home town. Quite impressive indeed.
The thing is, Blake is much more than an illustrator. He is a really nice guy. Reminds me of my family, really. He has that type of attitude - generous amounts of time and energy, ever eager to be happy and to please and a willingness to go completely out of his way to do kind things for you. He is also dead keen for foraging. An interest that we quickly realized we have in common. So, when Blake offered to give up part of his weekend to take Jakob, Taj the dog and I out foraging for mushrooms, of course we said yes please. Although the season was at its end and very few (edible) mushrooms were found, we still had a swell time. It helps when you lend your trust to such talent. None of us were poisoned - just thankful to be in Blake's fun, willing and ever generous company.
What projects are you currently working on?
We’re working on quite a few projects at Fuzzco, but most of the time I’m jumping back into files for Bittermilk and Bulls Bay Saltworks; two amazing clients that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and two companies that everyone should check out. They’re making some wonderful products and they are incredibly genuine people! I wish I had more of a drive for personal projects these days, but to be honest, coming home and removing myself from design is such a breath of air. So instead I’ve been taking up other projects, like growing kombucha mamas, learning to forage, and fermenting mustard.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
Walking and road trips are a good start. Getting away from the computer and driving towards nature is the perfect way to recharge. I’m fortunate to live so close to some decent trails and the sea. The mountains are only three-ish hours away as well, and nothing is more stimulating than waking up in the Appalachians.
Why an illustrator?
I’ve always drawn. I used to fill up the blank pages at the end of my parents’ textbooks when I was little and as I got older I realized I was decent enough to sell some work. After realizing biotechnology was not my thing, I finished up with a BA in graphic design. My first year out of college I was fortunate enough to work with Patagonia and Warner Music, but most of the work they hired me for was illustration-based, rather than design, so I started focusing my efforts on illustration.
Do you listen to music while you work? If so, would you be so kind to share some of your favourite artists?
Yes! My friend got me into Shakey Graves a couple years ago and his new album has been on repeat for the past few weeks. For a while I was listening to This American Life, but I can’t remember which ones I’ve heard because I was jumping around.
Do you have a morning ritual?
Olivia and I try to get a walk in before work. This is most always a walk to our first cup of coffee.
What's your idea of a perfect Friday night?
Tucking into the Belmont on my walk home for an Aldo Raine for starters and meeting the lady for dinner. This'll either be Chez Nous for some of the best Bon appétiting around, or Two Boroughs Larder for some damn good noodles. I love it when Olivia cooks, but she deserves Friday off. Afterward meeting Frankie (the pup) back at home and letting us scratch her belly while we zone out on the couch with some Underberg to settle down.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Venezuela. My papa is from Venezuela and left when he was about 25. I still haven’t been, and haven’t met about half of my relatives, which is sad.
Best piece of advice you've ever given or been given?
Don’t take yourself too seriously. My parents always told me that. It’s too easy to forget, but honestly, cuss it, what’s the point of being serious?
What's for dinner?
As in, what did I have for dinner before jumping into the interview? Because it was an embarrassing amount of tuna on toast... If you mean, ideally... I would have rather had a glass of wine with some sunburst trout stuffed with chanterelles or a beer and a pile of brisket.
The best part about being a creative?
Getting to meet some amazing people that are excited to invest in their brands. I don’t mean that monetarily, but just giving us the chance to prove what we can do for them. Also, this might sound a little braggy, but it is pretty awesome to see the work you’ve done around town. I remember the first time I saw one of my designs in Whole Foods and I was pretty proud to say the least. Definitely sent a couple photos to my folks.
The worst part?
Having to be on at all times. It is impossible and doesn't get in the way too often, but nothing is worse than having a block when you’ve got two more hours to finish a presentation.
Day or night?
Early morning.
Old or new?
Most times old. Everyone tells me I have a hard time with change, and that may be true. I never update my computer…
City or Country?
The country is a pretty romantic place, and I definitely prefer it. I love exploring a new city, though.
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee, every morning.
What do you enjoy most about living in Charleston, SC?
This town is full of a lot of energy and independent spirit. People are pretty driven to follow their dreams and I love that and I love the pride and support this city has for its locals. There is a strong sense of community here, a lot stronger than I expected moving three years ago, and I can only see it getting tighter and more collaborative.
Thoughts for the future:
I’d like to finish this dang children’s book I’ve been sitting on for two years. I have the structure of the story down and most of the characters; I just need to start illustrating it all! I’d like to start making beer next year, just to see if I can make anything half decent. I also want to get a little deeper into the foraging world. I can identify some edibles here and there, but I’m not impressed with myself, yet.
Chanterelle Spätzli with Smoked Salt, Browned Butter and Sage + a Giveaway
During my mornings, I like to linger at my little table by the big window. I'll sip on tea, look out to the trees and street beyond and enjoy my breakfast. I feel energised by the comfort of just simply enjoying time and the moments that come before a full day of work. I look forward to this part of the day. Mostly, my morning meals are shared with Taj the dog and otherwise, the company of my own. I don't mind this. Being alone is my most honest time to myself. I re-energise that way. But every now and then and more recently of late, I have been enjoying the company of sharing a meal with others and the comfort that this too, brings.
I have loved that my travels have taken me around the country a couple of times over the past few months. The west coast, the desert, the lowlands, the highlands. Every time I think back to my travels, I think of the times that I got to stop and sit around a table with someone and enjoy a meal together. Impromptu friends and home made soup shared around the lounge room floor, long table dinners thoughtfully styled and themed, a beautifully prepared meal for four in an unfamiliar airbnb kitchen with strangely familiar company. And then back at home, a recent invitation to our neighbours to come over for a an autumn evening roast. To really enjoy the purpose of slowing down, lingering a little, appreciating company, sharing a home cooked meal and generous conversation, well, it's these moments that are most meaningful to me. All of this is reason to why I have been finding myself around so many dinner tables of late - far away, or at home, in the company of others or my mornings alone. I have found myself looking forward to these moments as some of the finest of my week. Sitting around a table of food is my happy place - and it's more than just the eating. It is a reflective time and a simple and warming space that binds people together, allows a slowing of moments and appreciation of company. A gathering, at its best. Something that I've found, that I am always very happy to welcome more of.
Another place that I've found myself frequenting more often are farms, forests and oceans - or anyplace where I can experience the original source of food in its most natural state. On a recent trip to Charleston, I found myself at a sea salt farm. I learnt about solar evaporation and about flakes and crystals. I learnt how the salt was harvested and - the best bit - how portions were bourbon barrel smoked (see below for more). Only a few weeks later, I found myself foraging in the woods around the same area for wild mushrooms for sensitive, seasonal black trumpets and bright, woody chanterelles. For the first time I considered the seasons that mushrooms grew, I was introduced to many types of inedible varieties and searched high and low for the edible ones. In the pacific north west, I ordered every dish I could that vehicled chanterelles, because for the first time, they were available to me and for the first time, I was in a part of the world where they grew - wild! I can honestly say that it is experiences like these that make me feel excitement flutters the way I did before ballet class as a child. Learning how salt was made and walking through the woods to forage for edible mushrooms was the most exciting food related experience that I have had, most probably, ever. Learning about, seeing and discovering food at it's most basic form, discovering where it comes from, how it grows and knowing it's seasonal routine - oh! This is such happiness for me. Real, honest happiness.
Three weeks back, during my time in Seattle, I attended a food photography workshop hosted by Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle Et Vanille and taught by the one and only, Luisa Brimble. It was a time to reflect on the process of photographing food and a discovery of our own creative interests and style. It's no secret that this journal has seen me experiment with many ideas when it comes to food posts. However, I have found that my most consistent, resonating moments have been when there has been a gathering around a table or a farm sourced food involved. Even better, the moments where these two find a happy meeting place and a story from foraging to feasting can be told. Wild mushrooms that become an autumnal comfort food and are served up in a cosy corner of a room, smoked sea salt on the table fetched directly from a small batch farm, blackberries picked fresh and frozen into a long table summer dessert, a quiet, shared afternoon tea with regional pears and my love. It seems that these previously serendipitous moments may just indeed be my 'style'. This is the stuff that brings excitement flutters. And although not at all a reinvention of the wheel - it does happen to warm my whole being. It pulls me in. And I want to photograph that.
Now, onto the GIVEAWAY! Seeing as I was so excited to visit Bulls Bay Saltworks and learn the process of naturally making and then smoking sea salt, I thought that there was no better way to celebrate than to share a little of the experience with you. In food form. So, I have one jar of Bourbon Barrel Smoked Flake to give away to someone who would thoroughly enjoy the experience of naturally made and smoked sea salt. And I will be happy to send this little piece of Charleston, SC, off to anywhere in the world.
The recipe possibilities and uses are endless for this one - Teresa and Rustin suggest using it on veggie chips, steak or even in cocktails. I have been putting it on - well, everything - but lately I have been enjoying it with wild mushrooms, of course.
To enter the giveaway, make sure you are following along @leanandmeadow on instagram. Then, please leave a comment below telling me how you would use the smoked salt, along with your instagram username. I will choose the winner randomly (most likely pick a name out of a hat) but I would still love to know your salt cooking ideas anyway! I will draw and announce the winner both here on the journal and on instagram this Wednesday morning at 10am, eastern standard (USA) time.
Until then, I'll let you dream about the taste of the salt in this yummy chantarelle recipe below.
I was dreaming of spätzli (also known as spaetzle), Swiss-German style. So I wrote to my dear friend Sarah in Basel to give me her special spätzli recipe, to pair with our foraged chantarelles along with some sage from the garden, browned butter and of course, bourbon barrel sea salt. Sarah gave me many method options for making the little pasta dumplings. Some like to use a spätzli maker tool, some like to press the dough through a large holed colander - but I chose to use the possibly controversial, possibly most simple technique of cutting each spätzli piece by hand. Also, if you can't get your hands on any chanterelles, I can imagine that other wild mushroom varieties would work well here too - e.g. oyster, black trumpets, hen of the woods, porchini etc.
Here is the full recipe. I hope that you enjoy.
Chanterelle Spätzli with Smoked Salt, Browned Butter + Sage
prep time: 25 minutes
cook time: 15 minutes
total time: 40 minutes
yields: enough for 4 small side servings or 2 generous servings
300g all purpose flour
100ml water
2 free range eggs
1 tsp regular ground sea salt
400g chanterelle mushrooms, chopped into 4cm pieces.
150g unsalted butter
1- 1/12 tsp ground smoked salt (I used the bourbon barel flake)
approx 12 large sage leaves, torn or cut into small strips
ground pepper
Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Form a well in the center of the flour mixture. Whisk together the egg and water and pour into the well. Using your hands, gradually incorporate the flour and egg mixture together until a smooth dough has formed.
Bring a medium to large pot of salted water to a boil and reduce to medium heat.
While the water is heating, take small amounts of the dough and roll out to form lengths that are 1-2cm in width. Some spätzli varieties are long and lean, others are more short and plump. The size and shape is arguable and totally up to you. I chose something in between. Use a sharp, floured knife to cut thin, narrow strips being careful to avoid the strips sticking together. A light dusting of flour helps here. Drop small batches of the spätzli into the boiling water and leave to cook for approx 3-4 minutes or until the pieces float to the surface. Remove cooked spätzli using a slotted spoon and keep warm in a lightly buttered dish. Repeat with remainder of dough until all spätzli has cooked.
Melt 1 tbs of the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook them over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes or until they begin to release their water. Allow some of the water to boil away before stiring in 1 tsp of the smoked sea salt and a grind or two of fresh ground pepper. Remove the mushroom mixture from the pan and keep to the side. Reduce the heat of the pan to medium. Add the remainder of the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the sage leaves. Swirl the butter around the pan until it begins to turn a light, golden brown. Be careful not the burn the butter - it doesn't take long!
Add the mushrooms to the butter and stir to coat. Finally, add the spätzli and toss to combine. Adjust seasoning as needed - this is where you may like to add a little more of the smoked salt.
Remove from heat and serve warm.
Creative Humans - Julie Pointer
Walking into Julie Pointer's home was like walking into a comforting world of warm. As we stepped off the street over fallen chestnuts and towards a huge, old subdivided mansion, we knew it would be good. Stepping inside, it was as if the walls and doorways and hanging potted plants were as familiar as family, and the previously unseen furnishings instantly became a comfort to be near. There was a lingering air of nurture and of familiarity in a space that had been so beautifully and thoughtfully made. A tiny but practical kitchen greeted us at the doorway and beyond lay a small dining table, set with a friendly reception of cheese, fruit and wine. The bathroom at the end of the hall was bursting with natural light and detailed with linens and the scent of woody, forested soaps. There was a bed right by the fireplace that nestled into a natural lit bay windowed room. Corners were dotted with reclaimed wood and leather, a copper watering can and many indoor plants, and sun hats along side Julie's collaged artwork that hung modestly on the walls.
It's no wonder that her home has been so beautifully curated. Julie is a visual artist, writer, stylist and is also the director of communities for Kinfolk Magazine. Over the past few years, Julie has been most well known for her role of designing and coordinating dinner gatherings and events for Kinfolk. Upon meeting Julie, I so desperately wanted to dive in and snuggle. I resisted, in fear of being asked to leave. But it is like that. Julie exudes a sense of calm and comfort that is so rare to be near. She has a very natural, very keen eye for surrounding herself in simple beauty and bears a gift of genuine hospitality. In the days that followed our meeting, I was so fortunate to attend one of the dinners that Julie had organised and styled. Like her home, the evening was an inviting space full of welcome and calm. People gathered around a long table, shared a hearty meal and everything was lovely. I made sure that I snuggled. Into the dinner at least. To soak up all that Julie had created and to make the most of that comforting world of warm.
What projects are you currently working on?
The project that I’m most excited about currently is a series of collages that I’m working on for a solo show in December. It’s been years since I consistently made time for myself to make work like this, and it’s been so freeing and liberating to just be sitting down and making again. I also just transitioned into working on a full-time freelance basis, which means I’m mostly just having fun reaching out to folks that I’ve been itching to collaborate with for a while now.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
Oh all sorts of places; I think my sources shift a little bit every day! I’m always reading something new, but lately I’ve been very inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s writings. I’m constantly moved and re-energized by nature, and travel always gets me thinking about things in a new and different way. When I’m feeling visually un-stimulated, I start tearing through old books and magazines around the house, or there’s a few different blogs/tumblrs I turn to time and time again. Recently I can’t stop looking at the clothing brand Apiece Apart’s tumblr called Notes from Apart. I try not to spend too much time getting sucked into the black hole that is the internet, however. It is a vortex!
Why a visual artist/writer/curator?
All my life I’ve been actively trying to make order from chaos, whether that’s through arranging a room, working with words, making a collage, or bringing friends together around a table. I suppose I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I’ve recognized that these are the things I MUST be doing. The consistent threads that shine through in my life again and again are those that have supported these pursuits, and have pushed me towards this kind of multifaceted creative calling since it’s what comes most naturally to me. In an effort to be my “ME-est me” I am drawing on those skills that seem to underlie all that I do, and ultimately bring me the most joy.
Do you listen to music while you work? If so, would you be so kind to share some of your favourite artists?
I usually listen to music while I’m working, otherwise I find myself in a silent house, which can sometimes be a bit much. Favorites I always come back to are Sun Kil Moon, Nick Drake, Efterklang, Sufjan Stevens, Grouper, J. Tillman…they all feel like old friends. Lately I’ve also been loving Sylvan Esso, Night Beds, Alela Diane and pianist Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou.
Do you have a morning ritual?
I’m definitely a creature of habit! I love my mornings and I always try to make the most of them. Currently my morning routine looks like either a brisk walk/run with a friend or some Pilates, shower, then a green smoothie and coffee while I read and write for a bit before I start the day. Setting aside some moments to clear my head in the morning definitely helps keep me sane and motivated throughout the day.
What's your idea of a perfect Friday night?
My ideal Friday night looks like having a couple friends over for dinner, and now that it’s fall-time, cozying up over dessert and a fire. My bed is right in front of my fireplace, so most of my dinner parties with friends end up with all of us on the bed watching a movie or just chatting and dreaming about projects for the future. In the summer it’s pretty much the same scenario, except we always sit on my summer porch (we call it the “nook”) drinking rosé late into the night.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Recently I’ve been dreaming about Morocco, the Greek Islands and Formentera (a small island off Spain). Can you tell I’m craving the sun!? The colors, the textures, the architecture, and the nearby sea of these locales are all beckoning to me. The pace of island life has always intrigued me, and I’m a bit of a Luddite at heart, so the prospect of escaping the complexity of day-to-day busyness is pretty attractive to me.
Best piece of advice you've ever given or been given?
A passage (and book, for that matter) that I return to again and again is from Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet. He writes, “Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”
What's for dinner?
In fall all I ever want to eat are hearty root vegetables, leafy greens and variations of squash. Lately I’ve been making a frittata with delicata squash, brussel sprouts and leeks, so perhaps I’ll whip up one of those for dinner.
The best part about being a creative?
I love the variety that every day brings. One day I’m writing an article, the next I’m conceptualizing an idea for a photoshoot, and later in the week I’ll be on location styling for a project. I’ve always thrived on having an interdisciplinary mix of things in my day-to-day, and the creative life certainly allows for that. Most of the time I feel like a bit of a wild animal, and the freedom of this lifestyle helps alleviate that.
The worst part?
I think it can be very challenging to maintain creative confidence on a consistent basis. My belief in myself can fluctuate wildly even within the course of a day. I’m discovering that working for yourself means needing to be your own biggest cheerleader, because no one else is going to get out there to champion your cause on your behalf; having self-doubt can be a real barrier to this!
Day or night?
I’m definitely a day person—pathetic as a night person. I’ve always been an early riser, so in order to balance that out I hit the hay pretty early on.
Old or new?
Old made new! I love the challenge of taking something old and refreshing it to make something updated and usable.
City or Country?
City currently but I’m made for the country. Just waiting for the day I can move outside the city to a quieter existence with big empty spaces, lots of animals, and a body of water nearby.
Coffee or Tea? Coffee usually wins out.
What do you enjoy most about living in Portland, OR?
I love that Portland is a very accessible city; it’s not a fast-paced, stressful urban center where everything feels difficult like it does in some US cities. I live close to downtown, but my neighborhood is removed enough that it is quiet, safe, and I can walk to nearly anything I need. We have access to incredible food here—both restaurants and really good produce from all the surrounding farms. We also have amazing access to nature and the outdoors; it’s wonderful to be able to drive for 30 minutes and to be transported to pretty rugged and relatively untouched spaces. It’s a nice balance between the pulse of urban culture and the calm of a place where you can achieve high quality of life at a somewhat low threshold. I also have an amazing community of wonderfully talented friends who keep me constantly inspired and on my toes!
Thoughts for the future:
To echo Rilke, I feel that the future holds a lot of questions for me right now, but I’m trying to live them out instead of seeking to answer them all at once. I’m hoping this year ahead will bring more travel, lots of sun, new adventures and most importantly, fresh learning experiences and meaningful relationships.
