Art Meets Weddings - Robert Yaskovic

December 31, 2004, Oil on Panel, 12" x 18", ©2010 Jennie Traill Schaeffer, Collection of Owner of Yaskovic Wedding & Portrait

On this Wedding Wednesday, Robert Yaskovic, is my featured wedding professional in my series "Art meets Weddings."

About a year and a half ago, a woman came into my gallery inquiring about commissioning a Wedding Cake Portrait for her son-in-law and daughter's wedding anniversary. She said her daughter had seen one of my paintings in the window and kept talking about it. As I got to talking to the prospective client, I learned that her son-in-law was Robert Yaskovic, principal of Yaskovic Wedding & Portrait a local photographer, who I had hired that same week to shoot some photos of my son Joel who was around 10-months old. You can see the entire blog post with some of Joel's pictures here. The painting of the cake was a surprise, so the entire time Rob was shooting pics of Joel, I could say nothing. It was a fantastic secret to keep, and the cake, frosted with layers of coconut was a blast to paint.  It was also one of my first paintings where I included an aspect of the wedding gown.

Joel and Me, ©2009 Robert Yaskovic

That was the start of a great business relationship that is continuing today. Rob and I are well-connected on social media, supporting each others' endeavors, and referring business. Since we first met, Rob has made his way from a developing wedding photographer to shooting photos of food prepared by "blogcomplice," André de Waal, burgers gracing the cover of NJ Monthly magazine, images of Sussex County including Newton and the NJ State Fair, and all the while positioning himself as a niche contemporary, photo-journalistic wedding and portrait photographer with an artful eye. Most recently, Rob was in attendance at Project Self-Sufficiency's Open that Bottle Night where he captured one of my paintings as it sold at auction.

My painting, Jersey Blue, on the Auction Block, photo ©2011 Robert Yaskovic

An exhibit of his food photos was in the works for this month, but due to short time-constraints we decided to delay it. Hopefully Rob will get on the exhibit calendar at TraillWorks next year for a featured exhibit and collaboration. In the meantime, I look forward to more future artistic collaborations, wedding and non-wedding. Thanks, Rob, for all your support! Learn more about Robert Yaskovic and his artful photography on his web site: yaskovic.com. To see a gallery of Wedding Cake Portraits that I've painted, visit weddingcakeportraits.com.

Next Wedding Wednesday I hope to feature another wedding professional that I've worked with in my series of "Art meets Weddings".

Joel, ©2009 Robert Yaskovic

Art Meets Weddings at TraillWorks on Wednesdays

May18, 2002, Oil on Linen, 16" x 24", ©2009 Jennie Traill Schaeffer, Private Collection

One of the many things I do at TraillWorks, in my spare time, is paint portraits of wedding cakes, aka, Wedding Cake Portraits. It's a great way for me to tie my love of painting with thick oil paints and edible sweets together! I often feel like I'm frosting the cake, in oil. The artistry involved in wedding cakes astounds me and it's an opportunity to create an homage of sorts to these wedding day icons. 

I've been doing this for about five years now, but offering it as a service for about three. Not only have these been presented as wedding gifts, but also as anniversary gifts from one spouse to another, or from parents to their children. In doing these portraits I've gained some awesome clients as well as met some interesting people in the wedding industry.

I was invited to become a member of a private online group, Northern New Jersey Wedding & Event Professionals, by one of the vendors I'm going to profile. Unfortunately due to time constraints with the many avenues my business has taken as well as family obligations with my 2 1/2 year old son, I sometimes feel like a fly on the wall and don't have the time to attend functions and develop more relationships. However, there are several wedding vendors that I have developed really great relationships with or am in the process of it now through this group and outside of it. So for the upcoming Wednesdays I'm going to profile them and write about how we have collaborated and developed business together, through weddings and art!

Wedding Cake Portrait Painting

Detail of Wedding Cake Portrait in Progress by Jennie Traill Schaeffer

I had the good fortune to attend the lovely wedding reception of Mr. and Mrs. Craig and Tracey Ryan on October 2, 2010 at the Primavera Regency in Stirling, NJ. My husband, Lee, works with Tracey at a very small company where everyone is like family. Tracey invited the entire office and it was a chance for me to meet her, as well as spend the evening with Lee's colleagues. Not only was it a beautiful wedding, but we had a terrific time celebrating Tracey and Craig's special day.

In lieu of a registry gift, Lee and I decided, well mostly me since I would be the one spending my time, to present Tracey and Craig with a Wedding Cake Portrait of their cake. Since I am doing this on top of my other obligations, I've only just started it this month. Fortunately, wedding etiquette says I have a year, and Tracey and Craig told me to take my time. My goal is to complete this prior to their first anniversary (I think I can make that deadline)! 

Tracey and Craig's Wedding Cake made by Bovella's Pastry Shoppe

The cake was designed and baked by Bovella's Pastry Shoppe of Westfield. Tracey jogged my taste bud memory with this description: "it was white cake with cannoli cream filling, vanilla butter cream icing, and white and red fondant on the outside with decorative red piping." Doesn't that sound yummy? In many of my Wedding Cake Portraits, I've included textural or ornament details from the bride's wedding gown, and I'm awaiting pictures from Tracey to incorporate some aspects of her dress. 

Wedding Cake Portrait in Progress, 9" x 12", Oil on Canvas Panel, by Jennie Traill Schaeffer

Here's the painting in full view as of today. There's quite a lot of work to go, and some troubles with the structure, which I will correct. The whites will get brightened with more layers and I'll determine how to finish the background, probably with something from Tracey's dress. The last touches will be the arabesque piping, just as they would be on the cake. 

I look forward to sharing the finished painting with you, in the meantime, follow it's progress on Wedding Cake Portrait's Facebook Page. Next blog post coming soon - recent TraillWorks' commissions, gifts, and charitable donation work!

This Valentine’s be a SweetArt

I'm celebrating love now through Valentine’s Day (even though I'm all about the love all year long) so you can be a SweetArt.

• TraillWorks will donate 5% off all sales now through Valentine's Day to Friends of the Orphans to support the relief effort in Haiti.

photo courtesy friendsoftheorphans.org

The Details - Since the devastation in Haiti a week ago, I wanted to support the relief effort and searched for a meaningful charity. There are so many great organizations to donate to and then I read an update on Facebook from a friend who mentioned Friends of the Orphans. As a new mom, I am so lucky that my son is healthy, has two loving parents, and a roof over his head. This charity touched my heart, as well as guest artist's, Kathy Morawski. We will donate 5% of our sales at TraillWorks now through Valentine's Day. Every purchase during this time will be accompanied with a note about the 5% donation.

photo courtesy friendsoftheorphans.org

• TraillWorks is having a Wedding Cake Photo Contest!
  

The Details - Contestants can share how they savored their 'special day' by bringing a picture of their wedding cake to TraillWorks anytime through February 12th. On 2nd Saturday, February 13th, visitors to the gallery can vote for their favorite wedding cake photo and enter a contest to win a discount certificate valued up to 25% to be applied towards a purchase at the studio. The owner of the wedding cake photo with the most votes will also receive a discount certificate valued up to 25%. Visitors can vote from 10am – 7pm and the winners will be announced immediately afterwards.

• Follow Wedding Cake Portraits on Facebook now through Valentine's Day and you'll get $75!

The Details - You'll receive a coupon worth $75 to be applied toward a Wedding Cake Portrait when you follow Wedding Cake Portraits now through Valentine's Day.

Another Giveaway and Reason to Become a Fan

Since my last promotion in early July to get fans added to my TraillWorks Facebook page was so successful I'm doing it again to drive traffic to my Wedding Cake Portraits page on Facebook. During the month of August you might be the winner of a 6" x 6" Wedding Cake Portrait, valued at $99! I will create a painting of your wedding cake topper on a tile.

All you have to do is become a fan of Wedding Cake Portraits on Facebook and suggest it to your friends. I have to reach 200 fans during the month of August. A winner will be selected on August 31st only if I have reached 200+ fans. The winner will be selected from people who become fans during the month of August.

So go ahead and become a fan!

We Have a Winner!

English Green Extra Light in the Berkshires, Oil on Canvas, 7" x 5", © 2009 Jennie Traill Schaeffer

I've chosen my winner and the TraillWorks Facebook page is now over 100 fans. Woo Hoo! Congratulations to cupcake baker, Jill Hrabovsky, of Blairstown, NJ. We've been affiliating together and I just so happened to pull her name from the proverbial hat. Check out her awesome desserts at The Cupcake Factory. She will be taking home the painting above to don on her walls. Stay tuned for a contest to boost the fan base of Wedding Cake Portraits. I'm thinking of an incentive. Any ideas, please share!

In the meantime, go to www.facebook.com/traillworks to see recent posts.

Almost Finished

I'll be finishing my latest Wedding Cake Portrait this week - check out the full image on my Facebook page. The work stalled since I came down with a fever / infection from nursing this week. But I'm feeling better and will be going to the studio today to work on it.

I've almost come to terms with wrapping up giving my son breast milk. He was tongue-tied at birth and very difficult to nurse so as an alternative after help from many resources with little success I decided to solely express milk. I've managed so far, but the schedule four times / day, about an extra two hours, spent attached to the breast pump is not only difficult to stick to considering my work, it's also becoming exhausting and is probably the cause of my illness this week.

Many moms and other breastfeeding proponents have been encouraging my breastfeeding. But, they don't seem to understand my situation and my schedule. I was initially hoping to nurse for a year, but considering Joel's circumstances, the shift to pumping shifted my goals to pump for six months. I've exceeded those expectations by going for 7 1/2 months and by the time I gradually stop, it will probably go well into 8 months.

I have to thank my best friend (a stay at home mom who has nursed both her two girls for a year) for putting it very bluntly and told me not to feel badly if I stop and I shouldn't compare myself to her b/c her job is as stay at home mom, and she added that her kids watch too much TV. She reaffirmed the notion that no mom is perfect and we do the best we can for our kids, given our situations. Thanks, Rach, for supporting me, making me laugh, and being honest! So as the wedding cake becomes more complete, so will my pumping sessions.

Meet The Cupcake Factory

Image courtesy, The Cupcake Factory

I spent the morning meeting with the owner of The Cupcake Factory. She is definitely passionate about her cupcakes, a savvy business owner to boot, and a wonderful mom who bakes into the wee hours of the night. Though I've yet to taste her sweets, I am enamored with the work she's done . . . and everything is homemade and made from local ingredients when possible. She's based in Blairstown, NJ but delivers all over NJ and surrounding areas. We're developing a relationship and she'll be spreading the word about Wedding Cake Portraits to her clients. Thanks Jill - I am so thrilled to be working with you.

Facebook Times Two

Now you have another way to learn more about what TraillWorks is doing. If you're on Facebook, check out my pages: TraillWorks and Wedding Cake Portraits.


Currently I'm holding a discussion about the renaming of my blog and featuring the progress of a current wedding cake commission. Of course I will be maintaining my blog, but the Facebook phenomena is not to be missed out on and I'm having so much fun interacting with friends and fans alike. If you're not a fan yet, become one and you'll be privy to special updates and offers. Come on, join in the Facebook fun!

It's a Mixed Blessing

Wedding Cake Portrait Commission, In-progress, 6" x 6" ceramic tile

I am so grateful that in such a tough economy TraillWorks continues to grow and do well. In the first few months of 2009 I nearly filled all of my available lesson slots, sold a painting and received two Wedding Cake Portrait commissions. All of this while adjusting to life with a four month old. Up until this point, with the help of two wonderful moms (mine and my mother-in-law) and husband, Joel and I have been managing the workload together.

Now as more commissions come in, and my marketing and painting time have decreased I see the need for more help. I'm looking into all sorts of daycare options, from a college helper to actual daycare facilities. The entire prospect makes me feel very torn; sending him to someone else to care for him while I develop my artwork seems almost cruel on one hand.

On the other it's an opportunity for him to develop socially and eventually appreciate that his mom was able to run her own business (I hope). The success of TraillWorks is a mixed blessing for me and my new family, bringing new challenges and opportunities. I'd love any advice from moms who are artists!

***Vote for TraillWorks as your Favorite NJ Gallery
Go to www.newjerseylife.com
click on The Reader’s Choice A-List and select Galleries

Love Art this Weekend

love rocks, mixed media, ©2009 Kathy Morawski

Join me in New Jersey for an artful weekend of love: two exhibitions, a 2nd Saturday, and Sweetheart Specials. 

Friday : 6 - 8pm

23rd International Juried Show Opening Reception

Visual Art Center of New Jersey

Summit

Saturday: 5 - 8pm

Love ROCKS! Opening Reception

TraillWorks

Newton

2nd Saturday / Sweetheart Walk 

Shop, dine and stroll with your lover on Spring Street in Newton

Highlight: JUMBLE CONTEST

Visit area stores to find the letters of a jumbled Valentine phrase. Unscrambled phrases can be entered to win a gift basket featuring coupons, gift certificates and other items from participating businesses. TraillWorks included a $25 gift certificate towards any purchase.

Sweetheart Specials

All artwork by Kathy Morawski at TraillWorks 20% off

Purchase any artwork at TraillWorks and get a free calendar 

(Valentine's Day only)

Commission a Wedding Cake Portrait and receive a set of 10 linen notecards featuring your completed portrait.

(during the month of February)

What would Monet Think?

Monet's Garden Cake, Oil Pastel on Arches, 11" x 16", ©2008 Jennie Traill Schaeffer, Private Collection

Today, look at my most recent wedding cake portrait which was commissioned for a Christmas gift. The recipient helped design the cake with NYC baker, Colette Peters.

Here is the original cake, on Colette's web site:

This was so much fun to create, considering the inspiration for the cake, and the vivid colors! I will be emailing Colette to show her my rendering of her cake, along with another cake she designed that I memorialized for a client over a year ago. I'll let you know if I hear back from her. If you know of a baker that I might be able to partner with I'd love an introduction.

Love is in the Air and so are Wedding Cake Portraits

As Valentine's Day nears, I'm thinking a lot about love. My new little boy, Joel, has got me head over heels. Of course, I'm still madly in love with my husband, too. But, Joel has definitely changed my life and I am surprised to agree with everyone who tells you that you will fall in love with your baby like nothing ever before.

Let me share with you in the next few posts about all things having to do with love.


To start off, let me remind you about my Wedding Cake Portraits, a fantabulous way to preserve your wedding day and makes for a truly distinctive Valentine's Day gift.
Gift certificates are available for giving on February 14th.

And, now through the end of February, any booked Wedding Cake Portrait commission will receive a set of ten linen note cards featuring the completed wedding cake (a $29 value).

TraillWorks is Celebrating Sweetest Day

Digital Scan courtesy of The Cleveland Public Library.

Started back in 1921 by a Cleveland citizen named Herbert Birch Kingston who worked at a local candy company, Sweetest Day was a holiday meant to honor people who's lives are often forgotten. Today it has become a celebration of both strangers and friends and family that have been sweet to you during the year. This is thought to be a Hallmark holiday, but it really stems from genuinely good intents to recognize others.

The scan above is from a 1922 editorial in the Cleveland Plain Dealer proclaiming Sweetest Day and why you should observe it. Here's an excerpt from the paper " . . . On this day, next Saturday, steal enough time from the turmoil of routine affairs, to bring a bit of good cheer to those you love. A present, perhaps, and more than that add a loving word--a smile--a kiss. . . ."

Give someone you love the sweetest memory from your special day - a Wedding Cake Portrait. TraillWorks is offering 20% off all Wedding Cake Portraits
commissioned NOW through October 21st.

Sweetest Day Festival - Saturday, October 18, 2008

In honor of the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce's observance of Sweetest Day through its 1st Annual Sweetest Day Festival

Visit Spring Street between 12 - 4pm to celebrate all things sweet:

• baking contests & sales
• sidewalk sales
• Sweet Harvet Collection - food donations for local pantries / shelters

June is for Weddings

As June nears its end, wedding season is in full bloom. This year I only had one wedding memorial day weekend and I'm done for the year. But I know many of you have summers chocked full of wedding events.

If you're wondering what to get the special couple or if you are in need of a unique greeting card, go no further.

A custom wedding cake portrait is the perfect gift for the discerning couple. If you're in a bridal party, consider it as a very memorable, unique gift the whole group can go in on, or if you're just looking for something beyond the standard registry gift. Visit weddingcakeportraits.com for more information on commissioning a portrait.

You can add a special touch to the greeting card you present the bride and groom with a card depicting one of my wedding cakes. Orders can be made below.

December, 4, 2004
4.5" x 6.25" Linen Greeting Card / Envelope
$4.49

Wedding Day I
6.25" x 4.5" Linen Greeting Card / Envelope
$4.49

Wedding Day II
6.25" x 4.5" Linen Greeting Card / Envelope
$4.49

Wedding Day II
6.25" x 4.5" Linen Greeting Card / Envelope
$4.49

Enthroned Wedding Cake
4.5" x 6.25" Linen Greeting Card / Envelope
$4.49

Wedding Cake Portraits already Written about

Wedding Cake Portraits are quickly winning people over. Just yesterday Nicole Block, designer and owner of Nic Events, a stationary / event designer (and college friend of mine), devoted an entire blog post to my new web site. Thanks, Nicole, for the extraordinary mention and addition of my site to your wedding industry faves!

And you can order a portrait before the wedding. I'll make a beautiful card to present to the bride and groom detailing what they'll receive, when and from whom. Your gift will be more than timely.

jennie@weddingcakeportraits.com
www.weddingcakeportraits.com

Eat Your Cake and Have it Too!

It's official, www.WeddingCakePortraits.com is now up and running! The long-anticipated site launched on Wednesday. Of course there will be some things to tweak as time goes by. In progress since January, the site features a gallery of original paintings of wedding cakes; testimonials by clients and colleagues; a page on how to order; news; a link to this blog.

You may be asking why paint a portrait of a wedding cake, but why not? After my first anniversary, I was going to eat my entire wedding cake topper by myself; it was chocolate and I am a chocoholic. Then I thought I really should paint it and came up with a conceptual series of paintings looking at the metaphor of the transformation of a wedding cake and marriage. Soon thereafter an article in the NY Times discussed brides finding new ways of preserving their wedding gowns by being photographed in the expensive gowns, post wedding, in unusual environments. The idea for Wedding Cake Portraits was born.

As wedding season approaches, consider a new and different gift for that special bride and groom that will be sure to become an heirloom of the 21st century.


jennie@weddingcakeportraits.com
www.weddingcakeportraits.com