Cooking, Creativity, and the Art of Figuring It Out: A Journey Through Recipes and Painting

A few weeks ago, Matt and I visited the Tulsa Historical Museum. One section, dedicated to vintage kitchen gadgets and recipes, sparked an unexpected reflection on the many ways people approach cooking—and how those styles often mirror our creative processes in other parts of life, like painting.

Three Styles

As I wandered through the exhibit, I realized that most cooks (and creators) tend to fall into one of three distinct categories:

1. The Recipe "Stickler"

2. The Recipe "Guideliner"

3. The Recipe "Free For Aller"

   
   

Each style reflects a different mindset. And while they can evoke everything from anxiety to exhilaration—let’s be honest—sometimes they’re also a recipe for disaster.

The Recipe "Stickler"

We all know this person.

• They are organized.

• They read the recipe two or three times - may even have it memorized.

• They make a special trip to the store get the "right" ingredients.

• They have the complete plan.

Matt lives in the first category. He follows the recipe, cleans up as he goes and has an orderly existence. For him, cooking is a structured process that must be executed perfectly for exact anticipated results. (Maybe something to do with him being a drummer?)

The Recipe "Guideliner"

This person goes with the flow.

• They have the recipe.

• Know the ingredients.

• Know the general direction of where the recipe should go.

• Substituting is not ideal, but doable.

My mother's philosophy has always been that a recipe is "just a suggestion".

Too much of this or not enough of that? It’s okay because after all, it’s just a suggestion. The key is to make substitutions that enhance the overall dish rather than detract from it.

Cooking, like life, is flexible.

The Recipe "Free-For-Aller"

We all know and love these people. This person has the most interesting meals - the brave souls!

• This person saw the recipe some time ago and read it...maybe.

• Knows they are making something...soon.

• Figures they have ingredients...probably.

• If not? Okay!!

I have a friend who takes this mantra to the extreme. Checking for ingredients before she begins a recipe is a foreign concept. She substitutes at will and any substitution will do.

Don't have milk? Use water!

Don't have green beans? Any bean will do!

Need tomatoes? Surely ketchup works!

Sometimes it works. Sometimes... it becomes legendary.

The Art Intersection

Art, I believe, works the same way.

Art can be any of the above, all of the above or a careful blend of the above.

The "Stickler"

I have painted paintings from sketches that I have laboriously sketched, over and over again. Sometimes this is the only way for a painting to turn out "perfect".

The "Guideliner"

More often, this is my comfort zone. I begin with a general idea and let the piece evolve. I don’t get stuck in the weeds. I trust the process and focus on the overall impact.

The "Free-For-Aller"

Then there are the wild ones. One time, I bought a massive canvas just because it called to me. No plan, no sketch, just instinct. I cracked open some green paint and dove in. That canvas? Still unfinished—but it taught me a lot along the way.

Recipes. Paint. Life.

Whether in the kitchen or at the easel, our approaches to creativity can vary wildly. Some thrive on structure and precision, while others embrace spontaneity and exploration. Ultimately, it’s about finding what works best for you and allowing yourself the freedom to experiment. Just as recipes can be adapted, so too can our artistic expressions.

Whether we’re cooking dinner, painting a canvas, or navigating daily life, we all fall somewhere on this spectrum.

Some of us need structure. Others crave flexibility. And some of us jump in headfirst and figure it out along the way.

None of the approaches are wrong — they’re just different. And often, we shift between them depending on the moment or the mood.

So, the next time you find yourself standing in front of a recipe (or a blank canvas), ask yourself:

Am I a Stickler?

A Guide-liner? or

A Free-For-Aller?

Jump in and … go make something.

If it doesn’t turn out? There’s always takeout and a good bottle of wine to save the day.

Cheers to creativity—may it always be deliciously entertaining.

💬 Now it’s your turn!

What kind of cook (or creator) are you? Share your style in the comments below!

Thanks for reading The 3rd Flamingo A blog for art lovers, creative wanderers, and anyone who’s ever made a beautiful mess.