I made a choice shortly before graduating that I wanted to get into the pastry and dessert business. It seemed like a weird jump from art history, but I was too bored with essays to stay in academia and too passive to compete in the art world. So I decided to compromise by starting with cake decorating. Cake is a lovely thing, especially when you consider it's usually reserved for special occasions, shared with friends and family. And since every host wants to impress and entertain, presentation becomes paramount so there is absolutely no half-assing when it comes to decorating cake. You can't "almost finish" a wedding cake. Artistic pride wouldn't allow it. More than once I've looked up from pressing lace fondant or gumpaste flowers and noticed dawn creeping up.
It felt like studio classes all over again, and honestly it wasn't a bad feeling.
My usual traditional artsy habits have to be put to the side when this happens, but it can't be helped. I'd really like to reach a professional level one day while still maintaining my drawing and painting.
Here's hoping my pencils and pastries balance out.
