3 Chocolate Cupcakes

Inspired by three cupcakes in the front row of a long tray in a bakery case, they appeared to be very merry and ready to dance together as if they were in a Disney movie.

3 Chocolate Cupcakes, 9"x12", acrylic, framed, $300. © B. Sistak Baur. All rights reserved.

The textured ground is the first step to give them a proper backdrop. The paper cups are created with modeling paste applied with a long, shape palette knife. The knife is sliced through the paste to make the ridges. A heavy gel is selected for the frosting. Then, very carefully, I drag a saw-toothed edge across the surface to create the swirls. This is topped with a star-like decoration. Shadows and highlights provide depth and more color adds interest to background. You can really see the texture in the close up. (Click on the photo for a larger view.)
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

How did you start doing desserts? (FAQ)

I have a history of using various textures in artwork. In fact, I have a 3-D piece that features an old door with a key collection. Another is created with socks -- the mateless ones that you find in the dryer.

A third is an abstract figure created with painted tissue paper. But that is not what immediately attracted me to the bakery items.

That started when I visited an Argentine grocery in Miami. In the back, the bakery case burst with colors and repeating rhythms of mounds and circles and other shapes. The scene was quite mesmerizing. Inspired, I whipped out my camera (film was still common at the time), and snapped several pictures. (The staff thought I was nutty tourist. I guess I was.) When I got back to town, I couldn't wait to have the film developed and start painting. The first artwork I did won an award in a local show so I was inspired to keep going.

While I was working on a cake piece, I thicken up the paint to better show the icing. That was first step in my journey on my way to gels, pastes, molding compounds and large variety of media to achieve new directions.

--Barb

Above left, a close up view of Grand Fruit Tart; above right, artist shown with Decision Points; right, Interdimensional Portal on the Space-Time Continuum; all are © B. Sistak Baur. All rights reserved.

www.SistakBaur.com

Why Don't You Weigh 300 Pounds? (FAQ)

I've had great conversations with people over the last 2 summers. And there are common threads among them. I thought I would gather up many of the frequently asked questions I hear and answer them here. If you don't see your question, email me or post a comment with your question, and I will try to answer it. Here is one I hear a lot and it amuses me. I will post others as I think of them. Check the FAQs link (left) to see others (but this is the first one so wait a day or two so I can get more up here).

Why don't you weigh 300 pounds?
Well, I don't actually have the pastry in front of me while I am working. Generally, I take photos of pastries when visiting restaurants, delis, cafes, specialty shops and, of course, bakeries. Sometimes I work from the photos or sometimes from memory or sometimes I just make them up.

When I do have the actual item in front of me, as with a commission, I take many reference photos of the pastry when it is fresh and moist so I have the best representation. Then I put the pastry in the freezer for safe keeping and later reference, if needed (and later eating).

I have tried painting a pastry while it is front of me -- but it is usually SOMEONE ELSE who comes along and snags a bite. I replaced a whole plate of cookies one time and had to redo the whole painting!

(This is that painting).

-- Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

New Year and New Work

2010 is underway! Re-energized and invigorated, a new year is my opportunity to stretch my skills while creating new works. I have much new work underway in preparation for the new art fair season. Here is a sample:

On a Triangular Plate, 9"x12", acrylic, framed, $300 © B. Sistak Baur

Inspired by a friend who brought me these cookies, I arranged them on a lovely glass plate that I found in a rarely-opened cabinet. The foundation of the cookies is a mixture of molding pastes. After they are formed and dried, I work on the toppings. The fruit fillings are created from media is that carefully mixed to achieve the right consistency -- creamy and thick. The whole painting is covered up except for the cookies, so I can "sprinkle" paint to create the powdered sugar. More details can be seen in the close up below.

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

2010 Art Fair Schedule is Shaping Up

I certainly miss seeing everyone and eager to get started again at the summer art festivals. As you may know, art fair artists start the application process in the fall for following summer. Most of the festivals I attend are "juried." This means that my paintings are placed along side paintings by other artists and a "jury" rates them. The artists with higher scores are invited to participate in the festival. I have 90% of my applications submitted -- and invitations are trickling in. So far I have been invited to the following shows;

• May 22-23, Riverside Art Festival, Burlington Ave., Riverside, IL
• June 5-6, 57th Street Art Fair, Hyde Park, Chicago
* Sept. 4-5, Oakbrook Center Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, Oak Brook, IL

This list will grow as I hear from festival organizers. I will update my schedule as I learn of the results. I hope your favorite art festival shows up on the list. If not, I hope you visit a new festival.
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Purchasing Information

Select the piece you want.
Contact me via email, phone or US Mail.
Studio: Barbara Sistak Baur
3405 Highland Dr.
Island Lake, IL 60042
Email: bsistakbaur(at)comcast[dot]net
Phone: 847-526-1787

Payment options: Cash, money order, personal check, all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard.

Delivery options: US Mail, UPS, Pick up from my studio, delivery to your home or business (location dependent), delivery at a scheduled art event.

Guarantee: If, after you take a painting home, you are not satisfied for any reason, contact me for the return of the painting and a full refund (less shipping).

Home Preview: If you would like to see a painting in your home before you purchase, contact me for arrangements.

Art Festivals: If there is a painting on my web site you would like to see, let me know and I will bring it to one of my scheduled art festival for your viewing.

Most paintings are*
framed in a contemporary black frame
painted on a rigid panel
protected by a UV varnish
priced as follows

Mini Paintings
3"x4" $49
4"x6" $89

Small Paintings
6"x8" $159
8"x7" $169

Medium Paintings
9"x12" $300
11"x14" $400

Larger Paintings
Prices are noted in the galleries

If you live in Illinois, 7.5% is the sales tax.
* Subject to change and exceptions.

I am happy to ship any work.
Insurance and delivery confirmation included
Mini Paintings $5
Small Paintings $15
Medium Paintings $25
Larger Paintings, determined at the time of shipping

A Painting for a Gift

Gifts for the Holiday
Over the summer, several of you mentioned to me the idea of giving a painting as a gift for the holidays. If you are thinking about that, this is the time to get something started, especially if you would like a custom painting. I would be happy to give you information – just email or call me.
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Strawberries and Kiwis

The cool weather is putting me in the holiday mood – or maybe it’s the holiday arts and crafts shows that are starting up. Whatever the reason, I decided to feature this festive red and green painting of a strawberry and kiwi tart.

Strawberries and Kiwis, 11"x14", acrylic, framed. $400. © B. Sistak Baur

If you look at this painting up close (double click the image to enlarge), you’ll see that the paint is lavishly applied. The challenge I had was painting on top of the textured background. The background was applied first so it impacted all the following layers. I resolved it by continuing the loose style over the entire painting.
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Arts Showcase – Barrington (IL) - 11/7-11/8

I am joining the Barrington Park District for its 8th Annual Showcase of Arts and Crafts this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8. The hours are 11am to 5pm on Sat. and 10am-4pm, Sun. It takes place at Landendorf Park, 235 Lions Dr. I looked at the list of exhibitors scheduled for this event and noted that they are quality artisans. For more info call, 847-381-0687. Here is the poster about the event. Double click it to enlarge.
--Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

Autumn Showcase – Crystal Lake (IL) - 11/5-11/29

Autumn Showcase – Crystal Lake
The artists of the Northwest Area Arts Council have joined together for a group exhibition from Nov. 5-29, at the Brink Street Market, downtown Crystal Lake, IL. More than 40 members are showing works in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, photography, jewelry, fiber, pottery and sculpture. 20% of all sales is donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. There will be an artists’ reception, Sat., Nov 7, 7-9 pm. I hope to see you there. Otherwise, the show is open Wednesdays-Sundays, 10am to 4pm.

I am showing my "Chocolate Cake" at this exhibition.

Chocolate Cake, 9"x12", acrylic, framed. $360. © B. Sistak Baur

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com