From the Cheese Portraits series.

This highly decorated blue cheese, well awarded and twice best of show at the American Cheese Society competition, has become an American legend. I've been asked countless times if I've painted it, or when I would be painting it and most often "why haven't you painted it?!". This seasonal, fall-released cheese is celebrated across the country, and even overseas, such as in Paris and London. I could no longer resist it.

Rogue River Creamery, located in Grants Pass, Oregon, uses the best milk from grass fed cows producing beautiful cheese; it's raw, organic and rich in protein and butterfat. Wheels are made during the autumnal equinox and before the winter solstice. They are aged 9-12 months after they've been wrapped in grape leaves that have been macerated in pear brandy that they make themselves on the farm.

There's a lot of descriptions found about this cheese, but "luscious" is definitely one that I would agree with. The richness of the buttery cheese paste is made luxurious by the pear brandy giving the experience of eating it one of a special indulgence, a cheese holiday you might say.

It was a torturous pleasure to paint this and smell the perfume of that brandy and rich, mellow blue cheese that I knew would taste absolutely perfect after posing all day.

Origin: Oregon, USA

Availability: sold