Iced Cake with Chocolate Sprinkles

Iced Cake with Chocolate Sprinkles, acrylic, 9"x12", framed, $300. © B Sistak Baur

I have painted this cake before but always in a different color (I often change the color of what I paint). I finally decided to do this little cake portrait in its actual hue.

Acrylic paint is mixed with heavy medium to achieve icing consistency. After it is “spread,” paint chips are sprinkled for the chocolate decoration.

15 Unforgettable Life-Lessons Learned in the Art Fair Business

I purchased my very first display panels spring 2008 from Connie, an art fair doyenne. She is so gracious and she asked me to "report in" on my first year in the art fair business. So, here it goes – "The Unforgettable Life-Lessons I Learned During My First Art Fair Season". Ahem –

1. How when I saw the truck fully loaded with panels, chairs, the tent, tubs of equipment and a few paintings thrown in on top of it all, is when I truly grasped the concept of "overhead."

2. How you shouldn't make the 500-artist show your first show. By yourself. Far away from home. ( I didn't mean to, but I was "blown out" of my first, first show.)

3. What is feels like to be trapped under a blown-over tent and debris during a micro-burst. (Or, when someone tells you to take the artwork off the walls because a storm is coming, leave immediately.)

4. How easy is it to get a "free" charge card merchant account (and then find out how much it really costs you).

5. How heavy those weights really are. (And, I still don't have enough of them.)

6. That 6 feet 7 inches is truly out of reach. (Even on my toes, no matter how hard I stretch.)

7. How little sleep you can get and still put up a display and talk to customers. (Note to self: don't try that again.)

8. What a hard, 16-hour day really feels like. (It ain't like the office!)

9. How April, May, June and ½ of July were a nightmare. (But how during the second half of July, August and Sept, I felt like a pro.)

10. The shock I felt when other artists started asking ME for advice (They must have mistaken my "finally, I know how to put this thing up in less than 3 hours" look for "seasoned.")

11. How gratified I felt when the local museum purchased a painting. (It was the only sale that day but what a good one!)

12. How my fear of talking to people who came into my booth morphed into a steady sales prattle. (I don't know how many customers I scared away!)

13. How (inwardly) irked I am when people comment to me, "how relaxing you must find painting." (Yeah, right.)

14. How it feels to be not "just" an artist, but, rather, an art business entrepreneur.

15. Most unforgettable are the people that helped along the way. A very special thank you to Kathy Eaton, who been an inspiration to me and a tremendous friend and wealth of knowledge. She has gone so far out of her way to point me in the right direction, subtly let me know when I am being an idiot and has given me great advice and insights. And, of course, my husband, who -- I can't believe it -- actually fixes mangled display panels, builds shelves for the art truck and encourages me to keep going.

I hope to see and meet many of you over the summer!

Marble Chocolate Cake

Marble Chocolate Cake, acrylic, 11 x 14, with black contemporary frame. $400 ©B. Sistak Baur

Marble Chocolate Cake, reflects its name in many ways. You can see the white and chocolate in the cake itself. The marbling is reflected on the plate it sits on. A marbling technique is on the top surface of the cake. Finally, marbled ribbons of "chocolate" create a cake topping. This chocolate ribbon was created separately from the painting and placed there. It actually stands out from the surface (see picture below). It is drizzled with "white icing" to finish the effect. I have included close ups.

Art-Throb™ -- Freeark Gallery

Art-Throb is the term I use to describe a great place, usually a little out-of-the-way, to enjoy an art experience. The Riverside Art Center houses the Freeark Gallery, an intimate venue that features area artists. Committed to the community, it recently completed a show of artwork, Opinion Pieces, by Ruth Freeark (yes, the gallery's namesake). That followed an exhibition of work by Riverside resident John Muntean, chemist/sculptor. His work is called Magic Angle Sculpture. Exhibits rotate on a regular basis so you can stop by often and find new adventures. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm and is located at 32 E. Quincy Rd., Riverside. The annual Riverside Art Center members show is being shown until Jan. 8, 2009, where a wide variety of work is on display. An open house is Friday evening, Dec 5, 2008.

11/20/08 - 2/28/09 Riverside Village Hall

A selection of about 11 of my paintings grace the halls of the Riverside Village Hall. It is open Monday thru Friday during regular business hours. The address is 27 Riverside Rd., Riverside, Ill. 708-447-2700. More information about the lovely town of Riverside can be found on its website.

This art venue is organized and maintained by the Riverside Art Center. Garry Henderson is the Exhibitions Director there and he invited me for this show. Thank you, Garry.

11/27/08 - 1/08/09 Freeark Gallery

A new painting (I don't even have a photo of it yet!), Marble Cake III, is part of the annual members show at the Freeark Gallery located in the Riverside Arts Center, 32 East Quincy, Riverside, IL. It is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm. An Open House is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5. 2008.

Look for the painting that looks like a cake with wings!

More Marble Cake and Freeark Gallery

Art Friends, November 29, 2008
Art Friends is an e-letter that I compose for my artful friends from time to time. It features the inside story on new works, art shows and other art nuggets you might find interesting. Thank you for reading. -- Barbara Sistak Baur

Hello Everyone,
Fresh from the studio, Chocolate Marble Cake, was named for good reason. As you can see the white and chocolate in the cake itself. The marbling is reflected on the plate it sits on. Another marbling technique is on the top surface of the cake. Finally, marbled ribbons of "chocolate" create a cake topping. This chocolate ribbon was created separately from the painting and placed there. It actually stands out from the surface (see close ups online). It is drizzled with "white icing" to finish the effect.
Chocolate Marble Cake, 11”x14”, acrylic on panel, with a contemporary black frame, $400. © Barbara Sistak Baur

Art-Throb™ -- Freeark Gallery
Art-Throb is the term I use to describe a great place, usually a little out-of-the-way, to enjoy an art experience. The Riverside Art Center houses the Freeark Gallery, an intimate venue that features area artists. Committed to the community, it recently completed a show of artwork, Opinion Pieces, by Ruth Freeark (yes, the gallery's namesake). That followed an exhibition of work by Riverside resident John Muntean, chemist/sculptor. His work is called Magic Angle Sculpture. Exhibits rotate on a regular basis so you can stop by often and find new adventures. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm and is located at 32 E. Quincy Rd., Riverside. Currently, the annual Riverside Art Center members show is being shown until Jan. 8, where a wide variety of work is on display. An open house is Friday evening, Dec 5.

Put a Painting on Your Wish List
Here is an idea for you to get the art work you have been wanting -- put it on your wish list and tell your favorite gift-giver all about it and where to get it. And to make it really easy, from now until the end of the year, I will personally deliver the painting to your house or have it shipped to you at no charge. And remember, all paintings are guaranteed (which means if the painting you select doesn't work for you when you get it in your home or business, please return it for a refund).

On Display at Village Hall
A selection of 11 of my paintings will grace the halls of the Riverside Village Hall until the end of February. It is open Monday thru Friday during regular business hours. The address is 27 Riverside Rd., Riverside, Ill. This art venue is organized and maintained by the Riverside Art Center. Garry Henderson is the Exhibitions Director there and he invited me for this show. Thank you, Garry.

Well, the holidays are here already, there is no denying it. That means we all will be busier than ever. But it also a time of good cheer and seeing family and friends. That's what I will be doing in between stints in the studio.

Warmly,
Barbara Sistak Baur
Artist

P.S. If you know a friend who would enjoy my work, please feel free to forward this email. If this email has been forwarded to you, please let me know so that I can add you to my Art Friends directory.

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Barbara Baur Art
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and
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