A chef who combines her passion for food and painting through her art

What are you trying to represent with your paintings?

I am most likely inspired by food or seasons and their interaction with the world around them. I take things I observe around me and try to showcase them in an abstract form through my paintings. 

You are a professional chef, but you love creating paintings. Have you ever combined these two elements? And what are you trying to say through them?

Both food and art have been my creative outlets from a young age. I was able to be creative in my food and plating while studying at culinary school. Ever since then, I have continued to incorporate art into food. As for creating paintings, I get inspired by the fantastic food ingredients every season has to offer and food waste, which is the sad reality of food production. I am trying to showcase the less glamorous parts of food by creating paintings and starting conversations around them.

“I paint because it always felt second nature to me.”

What is making art to you? Why do you paint?

Making art means using my knowledge, observations and things that inspire me the most to shed light on topics that often don’t get mentioned in everyday conversations. I paint because it always felt second nature to me. I am always learning new techniques, but some form of painting has been a constant for me from a young age. 

We noticed a distinct style and colour story in your paintings; do you think about the colours and style before painting on the canvas, or do you go with the flow of your brushes?

Hahaha, I love this question! I often think about the colour scheme and the idea before painting. But I don’t limit myself when it comes to mixing paints. If I mix some colours and create an unfamiliar colour, I take that as a challenge and incorporate it into my paintings. My tools are handy, but I go with the flow regarding the style and techniques of creating artworks. 

Do you always have a conceptual idea before making a painting?

Not always; I’ve learnt that I have a conceptual idea only when making larger paintings. I start with an idea for all other paintings, but it’s more of a learning opportunity to practice my techniques. 

Are you a different person when you paint?

Let’s say that I am the same person, but I tend to get lost in another world when I paint. Sometimes I paint for a few hours straight without noticing that I have skipped a few meals. I also see that I tend to be more focused on painting when I am tired after a whole day of work. It is why I started experiencing a creative drought when the pandemic began, and suddenly, there was nothing to do. 

Where do you see yourself as an artist in the next five years?

In the next five years, I see myself more involved as a volunteer and an artist in the arts community. I want to learn more, connect with artists worldwide, and grow in the artist community. 

Do you have a website or a social media link where our community can follow your work?

Yes, I created my website just over a year ago. You can follow my work at https://www.siddhilaad.com. 

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