After Wayne Theibaud

Dreaming of Pie, 11"x14", acrylic, $400, © B. Sistak Baur

It may not surprise you to learn that when people see my art, they often compare it to the work of Wayne Thiebaud (pronounced "tee-bo").  He begain his career in the art world in the 1950's with paintings of … cakes!  And pies and delicatessens and ice cream and gumball machines, etc. Sound familiar? No, I didn't see his work and decide to try it for myself. It was after I started my own pastry series that I thought I should take a closer look at Thiebaud.  Here is what I found: strong, cool shadows; repetition of strong shapes; thick paint; receding images; simple backgrounds. So I thought I might inject a little bit more of "Thiebaud-ism" into a piece of work and see what happens. The result is "Deaming of Pie." Of course, there are  obvious differences: mine is more abstract, the background is undulating and the pies seem to be the floating. The similarities include the repeated items, the strong texture, shadows and the perspective gained by diminishing size. Okay, so what do you think? Does it remind you more of Thiebaud?  By the way, Wayne Thiebaud continues to work in San Fransciso today. Here is a recent video from YouTube.
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Geneva (IL) Arts Fair July 24, 25

Geneva, IL, is one of those towns when I say, "I have to come back here and really explore."  It is a beautiful little town on the Fox River, far west of Chicago. The older streets are lined with lovely little shops converted from Victorian homes that you just can't resist entering and discovering.  This is the setting for this weekend's Chicago area art fair.  It is located on S. Third Street and runs from 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.  Here's an article about its in the local paper.

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

3 Little Cakes Explore New Combinations

Painters have favorite subjects that they return to time and time again. Georgia O'Keefe painted a mountain in New Mexico dozens of times. Wayne Thiebaud painted delicatessens over and over. For me, it has been these three cakes. I have executed paintings of these cakes on several occasions. These are among the smallest, just 8"x7" each (the frames add a couple of inches on each side). Does that mean they are copies of previous paintings? Absolutely not. Each is it own original with its specific aspects. These cakes may look chocolaty-brown, but they come from a red base. The background is high contrast with much white. The suggestion of a rack is impasto (very thick paint) like the cakes. Their size, diminutive. This combination of traits is unique to this group.

Why are painters drawn to subjects over and over? I think it is because they sense the depth of possibilities and are not finished exploring them. Is there another new color combination to try? Is the light different this time? How far can the lights and darks be pushed? Eventually, I will be done. I think I might be now.  --Barb

From top, 

Small Swirl Cake,

Small White Cake,

Small Chocolate Cake,

7"x8" each,

plus frames,

$169 each,

©2010 Barbara Sistak Baur,

All rights reserved.

A stunning focal point

The Bakery is Open, 21"x27", acrylic,, © B. Sistak Baur

Discovered in a small shop, immediately I saw that a fabulous painting could be composed for these glorious tarts.  Soft gels form the kiwis, peaches and strawberries.  Stiffer gels provide height and depth for red, blue and black berries.  They are put on a traditional bakery rack with a new twist: the racks themselves are created with the same gel used for the fruit and "piped" on, after a fashion. By the way, I don't measure anything but simply "eyeball" rack spacing. The design of this work calls for abundant space so the size is a bit larger, measuring about 21" high by 27" long (approx 27" by 34" framed). As always, you can click the images here online to see a larger view. Could this painting be the stunning focal point you have been looking for?


See what's featured online now.

My Favorite "Bakery"

I am often asked where I find my inspiration. I freely admit that I find bakery items beautiful and admire the artistry of the master bakers. In a sense, I feed off their creativity. My favorite bakery is not a bakery at all but an ethic market with a butcher, fresh seafood, a grill, produce and, of course, baked goods lining the back walls. It is called Graziano's, an Argentine market, and it is located in Miami. It is there where my journey started for this series of paintings and to where I return whenever I can. The bakery cases are stocked with mesmerizing treats of brilliant colors and luscious textures. The display is new every time, filling me with renewed inspiration. I do not speak Spanish and they do not speak English. They must think I am a funny tourist when I snap my reference photos. But they pay me no mind. And, just so you know, yes, everything tastes as fabulous as it looks!

-- Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Schedule for June, July, August, Sept 2010

 Glencoe Festival of the Masters this weekend, July 10-11
On Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11, the Festival will return to Glencoe, IL, on the North Shore, for the 3rd season.  Professional artists' booths will line Park Avenue and Village Court.  Admission is free and you will enjoy art, live music and festival food. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm, both days. A few blocks east of the festival is a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan.  Pick up a lunch and have a picnic--it's worth the visit! Set your GPS to 320 Park Avenue, Glencoe IL, 60022. More info here. 



Art fair in Arlington Hts. (IL) this Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27
The Promenade of Art takes place in the intersections of Campbell and Vail this weekend from 10 am to 5 pm each day. I visited this fair last year and found the downtown area of Arlington Hts vibrant and pleasurable.  Sidewalk cafes, a lovely plaza and a live theater are some of the things I discovered. And it is just steps from the Metra. I hope to see you there! I am in Booth 352.5, on Campbell.





Other dates:
-June 26-27, Promenade of Art, Downton Arlington Hts, IL
-July 10-11 Glencoe Festival of the Masters, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe, IL-July 24-25 Geneva Arts Fair, S. 3rd St., Geneva, IL
-Aug 7-8, Art at the Glen, Glen Town Center, Glenview, IL (tentative)
-Aug 21-22, 29th Lakefront Art Festival, Washington Pk, Michigan City, IN
-Sept. 4-5, Oakbrook Center Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, Oak Brook, IL
-Sept. 25-26, Art in the Barn, Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, IL

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

TipsyCake Cake Shop II

TipsyCake CakeShop II, 11"x14", acrylic,  © Barbara Sistak Baur. All rights reserved.

Here is the second painting of the TipsyCake kitchen featuring a baker at work on multiple cakes.  This painting tells the story of a busy shop.  There are many cakes in progress, multiple bowls of frosting are about, various tools are on the counter, there is something simmering on stove and trays of goodies are in the racks.  Yet, this baker is focused on the single task of completing her cake.

This is a small, acrylic painting, just 11"x14." Unlike many of my pastry paintings, I use standard paints with no extra gels or media (see the close up-remember you can click the image to see a larger view).  My personal challenge was to keep this painting warm and colorful in the midst of the  cool stainless steel. In addition, I wanted it pair nicely with the first painting like this. Whenever I paint in a serious like that, I keep the first painting in view in my studio.  It keeps me on track.

-- Barb
www.SistakBaur.com