My Alter Ego...Sorta

I came up with one more conclusion as of last night...this can be my #10.

I went to a nutrition class at...you guessed it, Power Full Nutrition, last night. One of the people that was attending asked me what I did...we carried on with conversation and found our way back to our occupations. She asked, "If you weren't a graphic designer, what would you want to do?" 

I have been asked this before...another time being in my interview for the job I currently have. Of course, I responded something along the lines of I'm not sure because I really love what I do. After last night...I firmly believe it's okay to answer that question honestly. I mean, I do love what I do, don't get me wrong. (My conscious is saying "THINK OF SOMETHING CREATIVE, MCGRATH!") But let's say the world didn't have graphic designers (yeah right!) or I was forced (LOL!) to change my job...

This was my last thought before closing my eye lids last night...

Ready? Drum roll...

...


(Deb, you'll like this!) I would totally study or attempt to be a food artist! You probably have seen more food artistry than you think. Food ads, magazines, billboards, menus, ect. Someone actually puts those things together and it's usually not the restaurants chef. 

My friend and coworker (S/O: Sup, Deb?!) works often with food artists (or stylists...whichever your prefer to label them as) more often than I do (actually, a LOT more than I do). If i'm on set, I usually just stand back and watch. It's a cool thing.

These people may have played with their food a little too much when they were younger... But really, it's a gift, if you ask me. Food artistry can range from the Butter Cow at the Iowa State Fair, to sculpting ostrich eggs, noodle/mosaic portraits, party pieces (see below!), and like I said above, creating the pieces you see in photos in menus, ads, and magazines.

You also may not know that these food stylists pay attention to the smallest details...where a piece of cheese is placed, how the light hits a certain kind of meat on a plate, how green the broccoli is in the background, where the fork and knife are placed, what color and type of dish the food will go on or in, ect. My favorite part to tell about this occupation is that they have a ton of tricks and secrets. Check out a Hy-Vee ad...that ice cream? Probably mashed potatoes with food coloring. The meat? Probably cooked (not all the way, either) with a torch. How shiny the meat looks? Probably water sprayed onto it to give it a savory look.

I don't want to give away all the things I know, but doesn't this change your perspective?!

I found this on Pinterest...isn't is cool?!

When I did get to go to photo shoots, there were times when we did get to eat the food. And, yes, it was cooked all the way! :) Here are a few examples of what we got to eat last fall. These are from the Tassel Ridge magazine, Simply Extraordinary.

The food stylist and her understudy (I can't remember what to call it) put these (divine) treats and snacks together. Between the stylists, the photographer, and the designer...they all contributed to the setup of each of the photos. It takes longer than ya think!

There's your food for thought today. (See what I did there?) Have a happy Thursday! And to all you Iowans—stay warm! ;)