While I was training (many years ago) as an illustrator (alongside the fabulous
Gretel) I had a holiday project. I can't remember what the brief was, but I do remember that I painted a watercolour of a vase of flowers. It probably also had a large amount of gold ink splattered all the picture, as I pretty much did that to whatever I was painting at the time. I vividly remember having a tutorial and my tutor looked at it with totally lack of interest and said, "It's nice but do you really want to have a career painting flowers?"
Well reader, that is exactly what I did!
And I loved it!
I have painted flowers and teddy bears for years, and now that I have children and not a 'career' the flowers and bears refuse to let me go.
I have tried in the last few years many little businessess to fulfill my creative urges none of which amounted to anything.
However I immediately knew that making and decorating cakes would be a winner.
Never having had any formal cake decorating training I have no traditional skills to draw upon which is why pretty much immediately played to my strengths and began painting on cakes.
Actually when I say cake I mean cookies. These butterfly biscuits were my first attempt, but within minutes I was planning my first full size cake.
Fortunately I have many friends who need cakes (well who doesn't) and give me the dream brief "Do what you think best!" I prefer to take this as a great compliment rather than a lack of care on their part.
I have been painting alot this last week and all for friends, so my imagination could go where it wanted. I hope you enjoy them more than my ex-tutor will!
This is a cake a friend asked me to make for a nurse who was leaving her practice to go and live in France.
An e-mail was sent round asking for suggestions for a cake with replies including a speculum, motorbike gears and condoms. My friend suggested however I could come up with my own idea, so I decided on something prettier..
I have another friend (how popular am I?) who teaches NCT classes and at the end of every class she has me make a little treat for her pupils (see also
this post). Her latest class coincided with Easter so I went for a duckling theme.
Finally a friends Nana was turning 90, the lady in question had been a ballroom dancer in the 1930's. I used a 30's illustration and found some original textile designs.
As you can see I am still painting flowers. And hope to continue for a very long time!
