One of my favorite sections of the New York Times is the Science section. Maybe it’s the geek in me, maybe it’s the fact that I nearly flunked science and biology classes in high school and how I want somehow to understand science better, maybe it’s just that I’m weird. I don’t know. But when I read this article about the “Brainy Echidna” last week, I couldn’t help myself. According to the article, “the long-beaked echidna is a genuine living link between reptiles and birds on one branch, and more familiar placental mammals like ourselves on the next.” In addition, it has a big brain. In humans, the article says, our neocortex – the part of the brain that allows us to reason and remember – accounts for about 30 percent of the brain. In echidnas, it’s about 50 percent. How could that funky-looking animal not end up on one of my cookies?
I started this cookie with a very different design in mind; the body was going to be red and its needles were going to be painted in gold, the color combination a sort of homage to the late Michael Jackson who often wore red, pseudo-military jackets complete with golden epaulets, braids and buttons. But it has been really hot here in southern Cali over the past few days, and when I left the original red base of icing to dry, it became discolored. The fat in the cookie softened and seeped into the icing, and it just looked awful. I forgot that this can happen. I could have covered it up, but decided to scratch the whole thing and start all over.
While I chomped on the scratched cookies, I kept thinking of other ways to make my brainy Echidna stand out and this is what came to mind. Sometimes mistakes are blessings. For me at least, it’s often through mistakes and mishaps that I see where I can start over, and make my original idea even better.
I took this photo, obviously. Wolf had to jump on a plane to Beijing to finish the color correction on the film he shot late last year. If all goes as planned (and in the film industry, it never does) he will finish “GASP” by mid-July and it will hit theaters on August 21st, first in China and then…?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the red and gold idea but his cookie is a beauty. Wish I could have been there to help you chomp on the scratched cookies. Just curious: Why did the white icing not seep into the cookie like the red did?
I’ve got to read about this animal.
Can’t wait to see Gasp.
Linda, I forgot to mention that. I left the first cookie out to dry for a little too long. That and the heat allowed the fat from the cookie to seep into the icing and discolor it. I made this one in the evening, when it was a bit cooler and worked much faster. I haven’t looked at the cookie this morning, but it might also be discolored by now. Did you read about the Echidna? Weird but cute, eh?
Unbelievably cute!!
p.s. So how did the icing do on the 2nd batch (next day)?
I love the expression you have created on the Echidna’s face.
beautiful cookie, you are a true artist.
Mari,
I’ve never heard of a critter by the name of Echidna–science wasn’t my best subject either! It is rather cute though, thanks to you! I’m going to research it now. Have a great week!
LOL! Never heard of the Echidna, either. Cool to learn about something new. Love your portrait. I think Michael would like this portrait, too, even without the original colors you’d planned.
Paz