I have written before about how my granddaughter has allergic colitis. This happens when infants and toddlers have trouble breaking down certain proteins and so it irritates the gut. It is something they grow out of as they get older but it means that for some babies the only solution is to be on a very restrictive diet until their gut has matured, New foods have to be introduced slowly. The result is that our son and family can’t eat take out and when they come I have to cook and bake for them, avoiding dairy, eggs, soy and legumes. It has not been easy but I have also found the restrictions have broadened my repertoire of dishes and has resulted in some creative hacks and new inventions in the kitchen that are quite tasty. Where before I had a catalog of dishes I would make for the family. Now I have explored various pies and cakes, made new grain dishes that do not depend on rice, and found ways to create interesting vegan main courses without using tofu or legumes as the primary protein.
Something happens when you are given a limited palette. When everything is not available it makes it easier to come up with new and fun combinations. It is easier to experiment without fear that you will mix all the colors and end up with a muddy mess. It is a reminder to me that as I think about returning to color with my Marcescence images I should consider limiting my palette at first. I am glad I returned to charcoal initially but now I am thinking this week I need to go back to color and find a way to use color to convey what I feel I am successfully conveying in the dark charcoal drawings.