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FINDING FINDING BY LISA KING INSPIRATION INSPIRATION

I have a confession: I was

struggling. I wasn’t creating art because I was caught in a tangle of self-imposed, misguided, and limiting thoughts. I was searching for inspiration and thinking I had to develop my very own technique that had never been done before. I thought if I didn’t accomplish being completely original, I’d risk being labeled a copycat or, worse yet, a thief. In the hopes of freeing myself from this mental entrapment, I decided to have discussions with some friends who are well respected in the sugar-art world. I sought their advice and thoughts on the subjects of inspiration and originality.

Lisa King is a national teacher, a certified judge, and an awardwinning sugar artist who fell in love with the sugar arts 14 years ago. She’s the owner of Cake Frolic, LLC. Lisa enjoys working with many types of sugar-art mediums in creating her cakes, cookies, and other sweet creations. Her latest endeavor is focusing on her new educational blog cakefrolic.com and creating online content and video classes.

facebook.com/CakeFrolic instagram.com/cakefrolic EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE

One of the most eye-opening discussions I had occurred one evening while having dinner with friends and family. I explained my dire situation: How can I create something new and original when I didn’t have an idea of what that could possibly be? Would I need to create something brand new, an unheard-of technique that others don’t incorporate into their own work? Chef Nicholas Lodge reassured me that I didn’t need to develop a new technique or product. He said, “Everything has already been done before.” He explained I just needed to use the techniques I know and create new things from those. What?! I don’t have to develop a product or technique no one has seen or done before? And just like that I was free, released into a world of limitless possibilities. When you begin the journey of learning how to decorate cakes and cookies or creating sugar art in the mediums you enjoy, you first begin by taking classes. The teacher has particular designs and you learn the techniques by copying the projects you’re taught. You’re copying the project in class because you’re learning the techniques.

So, how do you create something original after you have learned the various techniques? After learning new skills, you first look for inspiration.

INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE The awesome thing is that inspiration is everywhere! Once I have an idea,

I begin by doing some research. I do an internet search on my idea. I look at clip art, paintings, drawings, real images, and anything else that brings me joy. I collect the things I love from each. I tend not to look at other people’s sugar art for inspiration while in research mode. When I’m not in research mode and I see something that someone has done that I love, I make a note of it and add that particular aspect of it to the things that I love and inspire me.

I then give thought to how I could represent the parts I love and create my piece using techniques I know. Before you get to the hands-on work of it, design your art on paper or using technology. This will help you fully realize all the tools in your chest, utilizing what you know and the skills you have. It allows for less frustration while creating because you won’t have to make things up as you go. It also leads to a more complete realization of your vision because you’ll have included the things that you love and were inspired by. Trust in yourself and the process of creation.

My hope is that these ideas free you from feeling like you’re not creative and that you’re only capable of completely replicating another person’s creation. You have it within you to be original too. It just takes some extra work and imagination to develop your design. Through this process, you’ll learn about yourself and what you are drawn to. This is how you develop your voice and your very own style.

Now, get to it! You are free! The world needs you! ACD

>> Collect things you love that inspire you. These could be ideas, photos, feelings, etc. >> Practice the techniques you learn and use them to create your own works of art. >> Be free and create the art you want to see in the world.