Making Consommé is a skill required of all chefs engaged in classical training. It is a crystal clear soup that is born from good stock.
Egg whites, lean meat, vegetables and aromatics are ground together to create a substance called clearmeat. This is introduced to the stock and simmered slowly to form what is known as a raft.
In due time, this raft slowly rises to the surface and clarifies the stock below to create the intricate new dish. A hole is then broken in the raft and the treasured consommé is carefully collected.
Ladle by ladle, it’s separated from the pot.
At last, the finished delicate and delicious consommé is crystal clear and infused with deep flavor.
It is now served in its own bowl to be enjoyed.
Yet, it knows it would not be what it is now without all the ingredients that went into its raft. Those who patiently and courageously rose up to offer what they had to its creation. The flavors you taste in every bite, but do not see.
Here is where I want you to see what went into my creative, spiritual, and personal consommé.
I am deeply aware that I did not get here alone.
Here is where I say thank you to all of the incredible people and forces who have most influenced all that is Soul Food Gallery and its current featured work, The Soul Success Medals for Humanity.
Their presence moving through my life, clarified my awareness, held my hand through my healing and activated my heart. They also protected me and kept me warm in their own ways while I developed my own flavor.
Thank you to the Blessed Divine Presence, in all the ways It has consistently shown up throughout my life...through people, through energy, through inspiration, through the rerouting and the open doors.
I am utterly grateful for The Angels that surround me. Thank you for delivering me safely. You have helped me understand and alchemize my life.
Ben Taylor, you and I were made for each other. Words cannot properly describe how I feel about you.
You are my true friend. My true love. My great supporter.
You make me laugh on a regular basis and you hold me when I cry. Because of your love, I have been able to get to the place where I can share this work with the world. We have an interdependence that is remarkable. You’ve turned this Lone Ranger into a Team Player.
I enjoy you. I love you for all of my days and beyond. I’m so grateful we met when we did.
You have treated your artist in residence like gold, even when I felt like a roll of tin foil. And I’ve learned to treat myself in that same manner because of the love we share. Thank you with my whole heart.
To Joy Taylor, our daughter. My treasure. My inspiration. Thank you for helping me bring forth what I have to share. Thank you for reminding me who I am. Thank you for the Play-Doh Intervention. Thank you for picking me to be your Mommy. I love you always and forever.
Thank you to my parents Krislette and Doug Smeets who are beautifully human. I love you deeply. Thank you for helping me in all the powerful ways you have. And thank you to Mark Johnson, my biological father, for helping me exist here now.
To my beloved brother, Adam Smeets, the marathon runner. Thanks for embracing your path; it helped me embrace mine.
To my Godmother, Kimberly Bill, who has fulfilled that role in my life to a T. Your love is healing balm.
To Kelvin Johnson, my ambassador of family and to Steve moe, thank you for opening the door. Those tomatoes were made of gold.
To my beloved extended Vota, Smeets and Taylor Family. Your presence helped create this work in powerful ways and I am grateful for you.
To My Sisterfriend, Chef Dana Cox Lipe, thank for being the tremendous bridge that brought my first collection Aorta Transformata out of my apartment and into the city of chicago. It has made all the difference.
And thank you to all of my true friends. Your love, care and support made all the difference.
And to life and those along with me throughout all my life experiences. Thank you. Even if the waters we traversed were rough. They were important.
I also must express deep gratitude to the following wise and generous TEachers and Theraptists who most influenced my spiritual development and healing. They were all generous in their own way and part of the raft that helped make this work: Rob Bell, The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, Lindsay Mack, Robert Ohotto, Cheryl Peterson, Terry Taylor, Erica Trantham, Danni Stillwell and Iyanla Vanzant.
To Hiv Alliance, home of The Soul Success Medals for Humanity in real time, in a real way, to serve people. Thank you for being incredible at what you do for humanity and thank you for inviting me to be a part of it. i am truly grateful the work is in such good hands. I also express appreciation to Artcity and Kate Ali, Former Public Arts Manager of Eugene, for answering the Ocean’s call and helping this work be seen and find a home.
And to close, I sincerely thank every person who awards themselves a Soul Success Medal and feels nourished and more empowered as they go about the next era of their lives.
I’ve felt your presence this whole nine years. It’s kept me going and has been A Guiding Light.
