ILLUSTRATOR WHO COOKS my drawing pen is my cooking pan. I want to connect people with food, memories, and the process of creation. Having traveled throughout much of the world, I have picked up many stories along the way – and I view food illustration as a way for me to share those stories with the world. It is my goal to share these online, and then provide a cafe where people can go to experience the physical expression of stories through food, art, and good company.
I use pen and ink because it is free-form and provides an organic flow that cannot be replicated by other mediums. More importantly, once mistakes are made, they cannot be corrected – they simply become a part of the story I’m telling. Just like cooking, if you burn it, you have to run with it. This bring authenticity to what I share. I cover that with watercolor, as it softens the expression and brings in spontaneous pops of color.
As I traveled throughout Europe, India, Asia, and the U.S., I stayed in Airbnbs, hostels, and my friend’s homes. Each place I went, I would watch people cooking within their own homes. That is why with my most recent pieces, I am experimenting with painting on plates. Putting the illustration in context with the meal itself. In the future, I aim to share not only the food, but also the stories of their homes.
HONG KONG
Hong Kong is where I was born, and where I started as an artist. It is home to me. The beauty of Hong Kong is that it is not only a place that I call home, but a place that people from all around the world call home. People call America a melting pot, but Hong Kong is my own melting pot. It fostered my love of mixed cultures... and of food from around the world. Which I will share with you through every city I have sketched along the way.
This is where my love of food began! From Hairy Crab to Egg Tarts, I started to pick up on food everywhere I went from a young age. You will see other food throughout the rest, but this is where it started.
CHICAGO
Although I would love to go on about the food and life stories of Chicago, let us be honest. Chicago is a place where everyone becomes enveloped by the architecture. There are architectural tours around the city for a reason! I can honestly say. Chicago.. is a beautiful place.
I must mention food, though... Among all of the pastas of the world, this is where I discovered that my true love lies. Mushrooms, especially portobello were made for pasta.
PARIS Among all of the intersections in Europe, this is the busiest on the list. There have been studies done on the impossibility of this intersection and how there are limited accidents here. And yet, I drew it without cars or people. Because, for me,
Paris is not a busy place. Rather, a place of calm, quiet, and food.
Simple, easy, and vegetarian. Ratatouille. It is simple, and easy... yet, time-consuming. It is the zen heart of Parisian food. At its essence rests three ideas: history, love, and family.
KYOTO
“We lead our lives like water flowing down a hill” Memoirs of a Geisha
The simplicity of Japanese food fascinates me. And yet, there is a certain sense of traditionalism which joins minimalism with the true culture of Japan. This encourages a unique community that I quickly felt I became a part of.
Zen Moment
NEW YORK CITY
For me, this is the closest to my home. As I stated in the beginning, Hong Kong is my own melting pot. As New York is America’s melting pot. So, for me, New York will be my new home here.
At least, for now.
PEGGY IP puikyip@gmail.com
@peggyleaf
peggyip.com
Peggy Ip