Chef Derrick

[Mike McCarty]

Greetings,

This is my latest painting, oil on linen, 16x20.

Derrick works as the head cook at a restaurant that I frequent. He's been working there for about 15 years and has probably prepared as many meals for me as I have for myself in this time. For Christmas I bought Derrick the chef's jacket and hat (which he hates).

It was no small matter getting him to pose for some photographs. When he finally agreed I got maybe 10 minutes total time with him. My only chance was to back him up against a big white screen used for TV projection.

The paint tubes are labeled cinnamon, basil and saffron, and the whisk is just that. The colors are those I used to create his flesh color. My purpose was to conflate the artist and the chef.

Derrick didn't know what my purpose was and this was part of why it was so difficult to get him to pose for the photographs. When I finished the painting and surprised him with it at the restaurant he was thrilled. Most of the time people have no idea what I'm up to.