Desperation Scones
By Flora Nan Brown and Penelope Dewa
Art that Feeds the Soul
Inspiring kitchen scenes and food art that warm the heart
When I was a little girl, I would beg my mom to have tea parties with me. I was relentless, and in the middle of her busy day, she would finally give in, and a fancy tea party would follow. She’d take out the Royal Doulton china teapot and teacups—and let me pick which cup I wanted from her collection. I put more honey in my cup than tea, but sitting with my mom on the blue velvet sofa that was reserved for adults only, sipping tea with my mama, is such a happy memory. I haven’t thought about those fanciful tea parties for years, until recently when I walked into Kim Pollard’s Art Gallery in Hope Bay on Pender Island and laid eyes on a stunning painting titled Blueberries and Tea.
As I drank in this magical piece of art, I was transported back to my childhood, to a simpler time where tea parties with my mom were everything. I had to meet this artist, and lucky for me, she was in her little studio, which is attached to her gallery.
“This painting,” I say, pointing to the large canvas that had captivated me, “it’s remarkable. What was the inspiration?”
“I love the connection people make around food, and this painting was inspired by a memorable afternoon my daughter and I spent with a very special artist on Pender Island,” Kim says, smiling. “Let me show you a few more of my kitchen art pieces.” We walk to the back of her gallery where two paintings featuring kitchens hang on the wall next to the gallery’s window that overlooks the ocean.
“They’re amazing,” I remark. “I can practically smell the scones cooking in the pan in this piece. I feel like I have stepped into someone’s kitchen, and I want to pull up a chair and have a chat with the cook.”
Kim laughs and says, “I call these two ‘Penny’s Kitchen One and Two.’ These paintings are very special to me.” I lean in and take in all the little details, and I wish I could crawl into the canvas and be part of the magic.
“Penny and I met at a weekend art workshop on Salt Spring Island, and we have been dear friends ever since,” Kim explains. “I often go to her waterfront home in Qualicum Beach, and we always have the most wonderful visits. These paintings reflect the love I have for her and the feeling of friendship, tenderness, family—her kitchen is an intimate, happy place. It’s also where we spend a lot of time when I visit.”
“Tell me about these scones grilling on the stove,” I ask.
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“When Penny and I first get together, we talk and talk and talk—mostly about art and the creative process, our favourite artists, and what we have been working on. Our visits are always over tea, and she often makes me her famous and oh-so-delicious Desperation scones. When she is ready to serve them, she grills them in her very well-seasoned cast iron pan.” Kim motions to the pan’s depiction in the painting. “She does this to make them all crispy and buttery, and then she spreads her delicious homemade strawberry jam on top. Afterwards, we get down to creating art at her kitchen table.”
We continue to chat, and Kim leads me to the front of her gallery, where a giant ceramic green gourd sits on display. It’s an art piece by her daughter, also an accomplished artist. Kim is clearly proud of her, and she goes on to tell me that when her daughter was studying art in Paris, Kim came for a two-week visit. While her daughter was in classes during the day, she wandered the many art galleries that Paris is so famous for, and it was there that she was inspired to start adding more of a human element to her work. “I was fascinated by how hands could make a piece of art really come to life,” she shared.
Kim then takes me over to a table in her studio and shows me a series of miniature paintings featuring flowers in a vase. “These are so cute!” I exclaim, holding one in the palm of my hand. Kim smiles and says, “I originally painted these miniatures as thank you gifts to friends and family who were there for me during a very painful time.”
“Wow, you have a lot of friends,” I say, looking at the dozens of mini paintings.
Kim laughs and says, “Well, you see, I realized that, like Penny’s kitchen, I am grateful for all the moments I have with friends, old and new, and I decided to create a whole series to celebrate my gratitude for all of the people and experiences I have every day.”
“They are like giving someone a bouquet of flowers that never wilt,” I say, looking through the variety of flowers and vases she has painted. “Kim, I have seen hundreds of still lifes featuring bowls of fruit, but your pieces are more like a little story on canvas. What do you think it is about food and art that is so magical?”
“Food brings people together,” Kim replies. “When you share a meal, or a cup of tea or coffee with someone, you connect on a deeper level. We live such busy lives, and when we pause and sit down and take the time to eat together, we make room for connection. It's so important to be in the moment, the here and now, to be fully present with the ones you are with.”
“Do you have any inspiration for our readers to help them discover the joy of art and food and connection?” I ask her.
“Plan an ‘art date.’ Invite a friend or a small group of friends to create together,” Kim says with a big smile. “Perhaps make greeting cards for loved ones with watercolours or perhaps mixed media collage. Or put a still life display together in the centre of the table with fruit and create a small painting. Draw and paint a banana! Anything really. I think the most important thing to remember is that it is not about the outcome; it’s about the connection, the sharing, the flavours of being together, the laughter and openness, being in the moment, the beautiful memories being created, and of course the food that binds it all together,” Kim explains.
Talking to Kim Pollard and seeing her art and gallery was a truly joyful experience. Beautiful art, good food and inspiring conversation. I am left wanting more. Maybe I should host a four-generational tea party with my mom, daughter and granddaughter—pull out the good china, make some Desperation scones, snap a picture and capture this moment in time. Who knows, maybe we would be a muse for Kim’s next work of art.
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