The Art of Bread-Making: Sourdough as a Creative Outlet

March 14, 2025

Making Sourdough bread is a little like making magic. It’s a mix of art and science, a process that connects you to the simplest ingredients—flour, water, and time. But for those of us who make it regularly, sourdough is more than just bread. It’s a creative outlet, a trusted companion in the kitchen, and often, a connection to friends and family.

Fresh Homemade Sourdough loaves

Breaking the Myth of Difficult Sourdough

So many people are intimidated by sourdough, believing it’s too complicated, time-consuming, or unpredictable. But the truth is, it’s incredibly forgiving. Once you understand the basics, you can shape the process to fit your lifestyle. My schedule is packed, so I use what I call a 'never discard' method, ensuring every bit of my starter is put to good use—no waste, no guilt. Without following a recipe, I make good bread fast, crackers even faster, and so much more—all without spending the entire day tending to dough.

Shawna Armendariz, a fellow artist and sourdough enthusiast, approaches her baking in a way that’s just as free-spirited.

“I never follow a recipe—no strict measurements, just instinct. I go by the smell of the starter and the feel of the dough,” she says. “In the early 1900s, my Grammy didn’t have a digital scale. Bread was simple, and it was necessary. So I embrace the chaos, break all the rules, and somehow, it works!”

Melissa's Sourdough Starter

That’s the beauty of sourdough—it’s adaptable. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to start.

More Than Just Bread: A Creative Gift

A well-fed starter can do so much more than make a great loaf. If you’ve got an active culture bubbling away on your counter, you have the foundation for an endless variety of baked goods. I use my sourdough discard to make delicious rolls, crostinis (from left-over rolls), crispy crackers, tasty scones, buttery cinnamon rolls, and soft dinner rolls, and more - each with a depth of flavor you just don’t get from store-bought bread.

Melissa's Rosemary Parmesan Crackers made from Sourdough Starter

For the gluten-sensitive, the key is starting with good flour. I use a non-GMO Italian wheat flour, which, when combined with a well-maintained sourdough starter, allows me to enjoy bread again without discomfort. For those with a true allergy, there are also gluten-free flour options. Sourdough is a game-changer, proving that with the right ingredients, homemade bread can truly be for everyone.

Shawna puts it best:

“Sourdough isn’t just about making bread—it creates connection. I’ve shared my starter ,'Snoop Dough', with so many friends who have gone on to make incredible creations of their own. It’s a reminder that something as simple as flour, water, and time can bring people together and build community.”

And it’s true. It’s almost an unwritten rule among sourdough bakers—you must share! I even keep a dehydrated version of my starter, Sleeping Beauty, so I can mail her to family and friends. When cared for, she wakes and rises beautifully.

Endless Creativity: Flavor Variations and Inclusions

One of the most exciting parts of baking sourdough is experimenting with seasonal flavors. Some of my favorite inclusions are:

• Sweet Bread: Ghirardelli dark chocolate cocoa and dark chocolate chips, topped with a glaze of simple syrup mixed with dark cocoa powder. Another favorite is frozen orange—grating the orange (peel and all) into the dough with a little nutmeg, cinnamon, and dried cranberries, finished with a lemon glaze.

• Savory Bread: Fresh rosemary from my yard, grated Parmesan, and garlic make an irresistible combination. The result? A fragrant loaf perfect for pairing with soup or just enjoying on its own.

Melissa's Pumpkin Spice Sourdough Scones with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Topping

The options are endless. It never gets boring, nor does it feel like work. Your starter becomes a trusted friend in your kitchen—something you can rely on to make your meals complete. Like anything living, it just needs a proper bed to rest in and a little food to thrive.

Just Give It a Try

If you’ve ever considered making sourdough, Shawna offers some simple but powerful advice: “

You might fail—but what if you don’t? What if you create something amazing? You’ll never know unless you try!” 

While your first loaf may not be perfect, that’s part of the process—just like anything new, you learn, adjust, and improve with each attempt. 

Melissa's Dark Chocolate Sourdough Scones

Sourdough is more than baking—it’s an art, an experience, a creative process, and the joy of making something with your own hands.

The Art of Island Life will return next week with more stories and inspiration from our coastal community. Have a story to share or an upcoming event? Reach out to me at melissa@padreislandartgallery.com.