Dinner with Jackson Pollock: Recipes, Art & Nature

by Robyn Lea, Robyn Lea (Text), Helen A. Harrison (Foreword)

Jackson Pollock the artist needs no introduction—but perhaps lesser known is Jackson Pollock the gardener, baker, and dinner-party host. From starters and entrees to side dishes, breads, and desserts, Dinner with Jackson Pollock features more than fifty recipes collected from handwritten pages scrawled by Jackson; his wife, artist Lee Krasner; his mother, Stella; or traded among their many friends in the town of Springs on Long Island, interspersed with Jackson’s masterworks, still lifes of the Pollock-Krasner home, and beautiful photographs of each delectable recipe, plus delightful tales from Jackson and Lee’s family and local friends, for a truly unique and insightful portrait of a great American artist.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Nonfiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2015

Reviews

[Annie Nardone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I collect odd and beautiful cookbooks like some people collect art. This is a rare find that brings together art and cooking from Jackson Pollock's world. It has every element of a perfect cookbook, (well, perhaps for me, but read on) beginning with a stain-proof cover and spiral binding to allow the book to lay flat. You'll find photos of handwritten recipes from the Pollock kitchen, and from reading the history shared through the pages, they were wonderful entertainers. Intimate and spontaneous dinners with friends using simple recipes for clam chowder, pot roast, and macaroni cheese. The recipe pages are separated by family photos, B/W pics of Jackson as he paints in his small studio, his paintings, images of paint tubes, herbs, palettes, and the glorious floor of his studio. No recipe in the book is odd or intimidating — this is a gorgeous, down-to-earth cookbook with a sweet and intimate earthiness that reads like art history/biography/recipe file all at once. Just perfect.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book, especially the photos of Jackson Pallock and Lee Krasner. Most of the recipes didn't turn me on that much, although I found a couple I could write into my notes. But each recipe was accompanied by a story which made for great reading.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an expensive book so I was glad to borrow it from the library to look at it first. I do think it's worth it though. It's a nice size, with beautiful photographs and not just of food. The recipes are appealing and easy to follow. The cover is soft to the touch and it has a ring binding but the pages aren't removable. It is easy to open and keep open though.

[Kimbiew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book and great recipes too!

[Jjbooker65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book!