Jeff Pastorek

IN A TIME WHEN THE LOWER HALF OF THE HUMAN FACE IS OFTEN

obscured by a mask, artist and attorney Jeff Pastorek’s work offers a welcome window into the range of emotions faces communicate. His colorful grids of mask-like human and animal visages examine human behavior, illustrate the similarities and differences between creatures, eras and historic events and provide a context for today.

“I’m excited about working on human expression and animal expression and what can be conveyed through that,” Pastorek says.

Having drawn as a child, Pastorek obtained a BFA from Loyola University and worked as an illustrator and print maker, but found it challenging to make ends meet as a full-time artist. He then graduated from Tulane with his JD and began a career in law, continuing to develop his art during his free time. His early artworks combine cartoon depictions and humor (his interest in the latter also led him to dabble in stand-up comedy during college). As his work evolved, he turned to working with gouache on paper, exploring such themes as hurricanes, germs and other “invisible threats,” set against New Orleans backdrops (a skyline or French Quarter building for instance).

“Germs” depicts New Orleanians in 19th century garb recoiling from a menacing group of floating heads representing ghosts of the past. Two other pieces, “Hurricane” and “Crime,” show locals fending off an onslaught of disembodied heads as well. “Time Management” references Medieval paintings and the “memento mori” (a Latin phrase referring to an object that serves as a reminder of death) theme of transience as a means of illustrating Pastorek’s own grappling with the demands of work, art and parenthood. An avid reader of deep history, which takes humanity back to its origins, Pastorek brings prior events forward in order to understand the present.

“We tend to be caught up in the immediate,” he says. “We need to hold two things in our heads at once, the things that feel immediate and also things that were important ten or a hundred or a thousand years ago.”

His most recent works, which grew out of his own contemplative reaction to the slow down and social distancing required by Covid, have veered from the more haunting nature of the invisible threats. Each is a large, whimsical and ultimately optimistic painting of an oversized individual lazing on the grass, pondering the clouds above.

“I feel like we’re living in some of the best times in history right now,” says Pastorek. “I agree with that point of view much more than I agree with the point of view that we’re headed to hell in a handbasket.” jeffpastorek.com — BY LEE CUTRONE

PARTY PEOPLE

Navigating Entertaining Etiquette, Pandemic Protocols and ‘Pods’

WITH SLIGHTLY LOOSENED

restrictions and friend and family “pods” (groups of people who have agreed to follow the same safety protocols so they can socialize without social distancing), party people are eager for do’s and don’ts. We are all making it up as we go, but using the mandates set forth by the government and medical professionals, as well as traditional points of etiquette, I’ve cobbled together a few things to consider if you are hosting or attending a gathering.

Head Count: As with any party, pandemic or not, determine your guest list. Check current phase mandates for indoor social gatherings, including parties, weddings and funerals at ready.nola.gov to determine a maximum number. Consider the size of your space and plan for safe social distancing among your guests. This means whether the gathering is inside (which experts caution against) or outside (which is safer), those not in the same household or pod need enough room to remain 6 to 10 feet apart.

Communication is Key: Give guests the information needed to make the best decision for themselves and their family. Include the number of people attending and who will be present. Normally, a host wouldn’t provide the guest list, but in times like these, information is power. Offer your safety protocols, or the things you plan to do to ensure everyone is safe. This can vary person-to-person and household-to-household and can mean everything from requiring masks and social distancing parameters to asking households to provide certain items for themselves. This is important so guests can make informed decisions and so they know what’s expected from them. Finally, give everyone an escape hatch. Make it a point to say if they have second thoughts a day or two before the party, it’s OK to cancel. It’s generally bad form to cancel last minute, but again, we are living in weird times.

BYO … everything?: Again, under normal circumstances a host would provide everything for his or her guests, but these are not normal circumstances. It’s fine to ask guests to bring everything, including food, drinks, dishware, utensils and cups. That said, if you are providing everything, be open to guests who would like to bring their own supplies. It’s all about making them feel comfortable.

Safety Police: It’s certainly not going to be fun for anyone if you are constantly correcting guests for safety protocol violations, but at the same time, it’s important to set boundaries and follow the rules you set forth for guests. Some most certainly accepted your invitation based on assurances that safety would be paramount, so it’s up to you to keep your word. Find a balance that includes feeling empowered to pull guests aside and gently remind them of the ground rules if they are getting too laid back.

Attitude of Gratitude: Take the opportunity, whether you are a host or a guest, to say thank you. Everyone is going through a lot right now and the comfort of being with loved ones is more important than ever, so if you’ve provided that for the people you love or they have for you — express your gratitude.

I’ve said it many, many times, but etiquette is about being kind and making others feel comfortable. As we continue to find ways to move about, gather and simply live our lives, I hope we can all tap into our most compassionate and empathetic selves. We are all in this together. (Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story published at MyNewOrleans.com.)

– BY MELANIE WARNER SPENCER

Ready, Set, Roast.

Get slow-cooked flavor lickety-split with Chef John Bel’s Dijon roasted chicken

PRODUCED BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX

DIJON ROASTED CHICKEN

1 3-3.5 pound chicken broken down into 8 pieces (or your favorite cuts of chicken) 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes cut into wedges 2 medium red onions, sliced

10-12 whole cloves garlic 1 red bell pepper, julienned 1 bulb fennel, julienned ⅓ cup Dijon mustard zest and juice of 2 lemons ¼ cup olive oil ½ teaspoons Herbs de Provence salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.

2. In a small bowl, combine Dijon, lemon juice, zest, Herbs de Provence and olive oil.

3. In a large bowl, toss vegetables, season with salt and pepper and add olive oil (to taste). 4. Arrange vegetables on a sheet tray in a single layer. 5. Using the same bowl used to toss vegetables, add chicken, season with salt and pepper and coat evenly with the Dijon mixture.

6. Place chicken pieces on top of the vegetables and roast for 40-55 minutes.

7. When chicken is done and vegetables are tender, remove from the oven and let rest 5-10 minutes, then serve.

About the Chef

Chef John Bel, previously of the recently-shuttered Meauxbar, supports several kitchens in the in the LeBlanc + Smith restaurant group. . While traveling Europe, he fell in love with different styles of cuisine and learned that exceptional food need not be expensive. Bel thinks of himself as a “throwback chef” creating dishes with his heart and soul, living for the joy and camaraderie of cooking and dining with friends and family.