The Story

As the collection grew, I started thinking about how these pieces could become more than just digital artwork.

They were beautiful to look at, but I wondered if they could offer something useful as well.

Since cooking has always been one of my passions, I asked Anabela if we could begin incorporating recipes from the food section of my website into some of the artwork.

She loved the idea.

For this Christmas piece, we included a recipe for Strawberry Rugelach.

I chose this recipe because it's surprisingly easy to make, it's perfect to put out for guests during the holidays, and it always feels like Christmas when a tray of fresh Rugelach comes out of the oven.

The inspiration came from one of the wonderful Jewish bakeries in New York City. I wanted to create a version that anyone could make at home without needing to be a professional baker.

The funny part is that when you serve them, people usually assume you picked them up from an expensive bakery.

They look impressive, they taste wonderful, and only you have to know how easy they really were to make.

Anabela wrapped the entire piece in a warm holiday atmosphere. The decorated guitar, the Christmas colors, the neon sign that reads "Merry Kissmas... Stay Frosty," and the handwritten recipe all came together to create something that felt festive, personal, and a little different from a traditional Christmas card.

When it was finished, I decided not to leave it on a computer screen.

I turned it into my Christmas card that year.

We had them professionally printed and mailed to friends, family, and business associates.

Even back in 2017, that surprised people.

By then, most Christmas greetings had already become emails, text messages, or social media posts. Very few people were still opening their mailbox and finding a real Christmas card waiting for them.

The response was wonderful.

What surprised me even more was what happened afterward.

Over the years, several people have told me they kept the card.

Not because it had my name on it.

Not because it was a piece of artwork.

But because they actually used the recipe.

Some have even told me it's become part of their own Christmas tradition and that they still make the Strawberry Rugelach every year.

To me, that's one of the nicest compliments this collection has ever received.

Sometimes a piece of art isn't remembered because it hangs on a wall.

Sometimes it's remembered because it became part of someone's family tradition.