Inspired by Wayne Thiebaud (Cakes, 1963)

           Welcome to the latest installation of Inspired by Art! Clearly I'm not ready to let go of my post-Valentine's day sugar high because I have a sweet inspiration to share with you today : Wayne Thiebaud's Cakes (1963). Cakes is one of the mainstays on the ground floor of the National Gallery of Art. If you get the chance to see it in person, look for the thick, heavy brush strokes -- it almost looks as if Thiebaud painted with a frosting spatula!

         Thiebaud is an American painter who chose nostalgic cultural objects with exaggerated colors, pigment, and shadows as his subjects. At first glance, Thiebaud's paintings might seem reminiscent of the 1960s Pop Art movement due to its focus on objects of mass culture -- and there are similarities to be sure -- but generally speaking his work conveys a more personable aesthetic. As Cathleen McGuian notes in the Smithsonian, "where Warhol was cool and ironic, Thiebaud was warm and gently comic." Though he is best known for his paintings for cakes and other confections, they only represent a slice of his subjects, which include lipsticks, gumball machines, toys, and boots.

         For a delicate and delectable Cakes inspired look, I've chosen classic colors from Thiebaud's Cakes to frost the face: chocolate, powdery pink, buttercream, and sugar icing. Illamasqua Sex and Bobbi Brown Navajo eyeshadow are a basic white and cream (respectively) to add a clean eye base. NARS Coconut Grove (reviewed here) and Bobbi Brown Black Chocolate (reviewed here) eyeshadows are dark chocolates to add definition. MAC Yogurt eyeshadow and Illamasqua Katie blush are pale pinks that add a sweet touch to any look.

           I've distilled the colors in this post down to the baking basics, however, as in Cakes and real life confections, imagination is the only limit to the embellishments one can add. Cherry red, powder blue, and even yellow cake (not to be confused with yellowcake) yellow would pair beautifully with the ones I've shown today.

        A finger(tip)-ful of frosting is, of course, in order for this Wayne Thiebaud inspired look! NARS Mato Grosso (reviewed here) nail polish is a rich dark chocolate.  OPI San Tan Tonio is a smooth milk chocolate ganache. Revlon White on White is a clean Cool-Whip white. Essie Allure is a sheer sugar coat.  Sparitual Idyllic is a sheer blush pink Essie Pop Art Pink is sheer icing pink.

         As a final touch, feel free to add a splash of your favorite sweet or gourmand perfume. Prada Candy (reviewed here), Aquolina Pink Sugar, or perhaps something from the new Jo Malone Sugar and Spice collection would be nice!

         With my Thiebaud's Cakes inspired look, I can have my cake and wear it too. I've really been enjoying these powdery pinks, sugary whites, and creamy chocolates as of late and I hope you will too! Thanks for reading! What are your favorite Wayne Thiebaud paintings? What are your go-to colors for a sweet look?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. See more from my Inspired by Art series here!