Inspiration… it's really all over if you are open to it. For me, foodspiration can come from just about anywhere. It could be a walk through the farmers market, a color palette for a party, going through my Grandmothers old recipe box, or even art at a museum. In fact, I highly encourage you to look for inspiration at museums and galleries. Painting techniques have long inspired many chefs when plating their food. It's not uncommon to see paint brushes, squeeze bottles and other artists tools in the kitchen. Even if you are not into "fancy pants" plate presentations, art can evoke a memory or a dream.
This painting takes me back to Italy in seconds and immediately I can taste all the glorious sauces, pastas, and pizzas. The color palette makes me want to create a big warm pasta dish with tomatoes and greens. Having an Italian heritage makes me dream of what my life would have been like if I grew up in Italy versus the United States…
The second I saw this photo my mind wandered back to times I spent in France eating croissants and macarons (which is really the staple of my diet whenever I visit France!) I went there for the first time with my oldest friend Jennifer when we were eighteen. We were so young, but we thought we were so cool. I experimented eating just about anything I saw. We literally wanted to drink up Paris and experience all it had to offer.
I love this photo of spice sacks. I think it was taken in Morocco, but it really could be anywhere in the world. I love the experiences of the senses when you go to a spice market. Smells dance in your mind creating new flavor combinations. Spice markets are a little harder to find here in the US, but see if you your local farmers market has one or an import shop.
Have you ever been inspired by art? Do you want to be inspired by art? It could win you a $50 gift card to art.com. Which just so happens to be one of my favorite places for inspiration. I found these three pictures there and with thousands to choose from, you'll be inspired as well!
A winner will be randomly drawn on Friday October 28th 2011. Open to US residents. And as always bonus points for facebooking and tweeting about this giveaway 
Make sure to tag @veggiedreamgirl
Congratulations to Caitplusate for winning this giveaway!!
Hi Leslie – thought i’d give your “giveaway” another shot!
As a Chef I get inspiration from art to use colors and textures to create dishes that look as beautiful as they taste.
Art inspires me to see the beauty in my daily life and to seek out new experiences.
Art definitely inspires me, especially photographs! Amazing moments, captured in still-form but saying so much, never cease to amaze me! I am about to tweet about this giveaway too
Art inspires me daily! Thanks for the chance to win a giveaway!
What a fun giveaway, love it!
I find a lot of inspiration from art especially the color combinations.
My husband is an artist so we are inspired by his works. Great giveaway!
Nice giveaway! I was looking through some of the Paris collection and it’s making me crave some crème brûlée!
I miss your wonderful reivew! Get well soon.Frankly, I have taken nearly a month off of the blogs.Health reasons too..plus other reasons.Hopefully, we both will get back to par soon.
Art inspires me to be creative!
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
What a great idea! And art.com is such an amazing site.
What a nice giveaway…
Thank you.
And I have definitely been inspired by art, but not so much to make it myself as I have a hard time articulating my more creative side. Art is something I try to surround myself with though because it makes my life more interesting and gives my day the extra oomph it sometimes needs!
What a great giveaway! Art is such an inspiration for everything in my life!