Listen Up!

Hey all!  So if you weren't glued to the WMFO radio this past Saturday, you can listen here!  Make sure you click on Play Archive to listen to Saturday 12/17's show.

Check out past and upcoming shows for Novel Songs!  Catherine is a great host and we had a blast chatting about Back on My Sweets, Back on My Feet, and Like Water for Chocolate!  I won't spoil the ending in Like Water for Chocolate, it's a must read if you love symbolism, family secrets and broken taboos.     


Just a runner with a sweet tooth!    
-Andrea

Tufts Radio Station - Novel Songs

Some crazy good things are happening in the land of Back on My Sweets!  I'll be on the Tufts Radio (91.5 wmfo) this Saturday, 10 AM!  Catherine Maldonado has a show called Novel Songs where she creates playlists on 8tracks.com to go along with fictional novels she reads each week.  I love her choice of songs, and her choice in literature isn't too shabby either.  We are going to discuss the book, Like Water for Chocolate, and then of course we'll be chatting about Back on My Sweets. 

I'm having flashbacks to Schweddy Balls episodes on SNL

If you haven't read Like Water for Chocolate, it's a great short read that will be enjoyed by all romantics regardless of age, gender or culture. It is a tale of true love, family traditions and family secrets. Laura Esquirel writes in a most unique style, giving the reader "monthly installments" of "recipes and home remedies."

So stay tuned (literally!!), I'll be posting the link to the radio show as soon as it airs.  Or you can listen here if you've got 10AM on Saturday free! 

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!
-Andrea

And now presenting......

Featured Artist: Jenn Studaker

I know I know, everyone thinks I can do it all, and just because I have a superman costume tucked in the bottom drawer of my dresser doesn't mean I can....But I do make one hell of a Superman!  I could not have completed Back on My Sweets with out the help of Jenn Studaker.  She is the Robin to my Batman, Patrick to my Sponge Bob, or Milhouse to my Bart.  Basically, she rocks and not only did she draw out the Strawberry Cream Cupcakes and Lemon Poppyseed Muffins recipe, but she had a huge part in putting the book together.  So big HUGS from me!  Of course I stole 5 min of her time so she could finish her interview..... 

Favorite muffin/cupcake....

Lemon anything! It's always so refreshing.

If you could be on any reality TV show, which one would you be on....

Jersey Shore because that way I'm not the crazy one in the room. Or wife swap if I was married. That one always looked like fun cause I like to boss people around.

What Sound or noise do you love....

The lake!

What sound or noise do you hate....

I HATE knuckle cracking and the noise people make when they spit on the ground. ewe.

Apart from making beautiful artwork, what else do you do?

I go to work and then come home and sit on the couch. ha! Every once in awhile I get motivated and make something though. 

Tell me a bit about yourself...

I'm super, super nice! Just kidding I'm not, but I love food and reading books from the library. I grew up in a small town and now live in a much bigger town. When I get a house it will probably be filled with things that look like I might have picked them out of an old barn. Oh and I love cut paper - obsessed might be a better word. 

What would be the title of your memoir?

"Don't talk to me before my morning coffee"

Where does your inspiration come from?

Lots of people and things. I love google it knows exactly what I'm looking for. 

Describe your creative process...

I usually slack for a bit, panic, and then somehow pull something together. I work really good under pressure.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?

Picasso! I have this book that I read like once a year written by his mistress Francoise. I love it so much that I think I could walk around his studio with my eyes shut and know where I was going. I also feel like I ate at the same restaurants he did and know all his friends.

What is one artistic tool you can’t live without?

Well, nowadays it would be the computer unfortunately. Everyone wants something digital. But pencils are pretty cool too. 

Don't forget to follow Jenn on Twitter and check out her LittleTinyDoors blog!  

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!
-Andrea

Interview Time....

Featured Artist: Mui Ogunmola

If you've got a copy of Back on My Sweets on you right now, flip to the Pistachio Cupcakes w/ Raspberries page.  Yup, Mui designed those and boy do they look oh so delish!  I think I'm gonna whip up a batch right now!  Keep on reading to find out what makes Mui tick.... 

Favorite Muffin/Cupcake?

Blueberry Muffins.

If you could be on any reality TV show, which one would you be on....

I never wanted to be on a reality show I would rather be a cartoon character, especially Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Apart from making beautiful artwork, what else do you do?

I read lots and lots of comic books.

Tell me a bit about yourself...

I was born in Detroit and went to art school from high school on. I interned at Disney and Reebok where I eventually got a full time job. I love money.

What would be the title of your memoir?

I'm just a realist.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Everything... artists, music

When did you know you were an artist/maker?

I'm still trying to be an artist!

Describe your creative process...

Everything is random. Draw, scan, draw, computer.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer, or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?

David Choe or James Jean. I want to know more about their process. 

What is one artistic tool you can't live without?

A pencil because everything starts off as a sketch.

Check out more of the talented Mr. Mui on his blog, twitter, or tumblr.

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!

-Andrea

Yup, Interview Time!

Featured Artist: Maryjean Crowe

I've known Maryjan since my existence at Stonehill College.  She was one of my college art professors and has impacted my life in so many ways.  I've kept in touch because (A) she creates beautiful, amazing, mixed media, 3-dimensional pieces that boggle my mind.  You can stare at her work for ever it seems and never actually see everything.  At second glance, there's always something delightful you probably missed! (B) is inspiring on so many levels, and (C) has super, curly, wavy hair just like me!  Us wavy hair girls gotta stick together!  So when the idea for the book came along, I knew instantly I wanted something from Maryjean.  She helped create a mixed media photo collage for the doggie muffin recipe!  She even had a spare moment to answer some questions....

Here's Maryjean's contribution to the book! 

So here goes!

What would be the title of your memoir?  

Be forgiving and die living.

When did you know you were an artist?

Out of the womb.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Nature, the garden, dreams, swimming under water, and looking at the night sky.

Describe your creative process...

a) begin....somewhere.

b) get aggravated and chop up the work.

c) throw it out!

d) retrieve it and assemble back together.

e) get aggravated and plaster/paint over it.

d) sand it back down to see what gets re-revealed!

g) draw/paint on top of it.

h) keep going.

What is your mantra about art and life?

Be brave.  I can make it work.

What is one artistic tool you can't live without?

Scotch Tape.

I'm diggin' Maryjean's creative process!  Check out her website, to see her creative process and digs!  Look for Maryjean's art in Back on My Sweets, she designed the Peanut Butter Carrot Cake Muffins.  Max (the dog!) sure enjoyed them!  Woof!

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!

-Andrea 

 

 

What did one interview say to another interview?

Heck if I know!  Read below to find out more about......

Featured Artist: Dani Gudowski

We were fortunate enough to have Dani contribute not one, but two amazing designs for the Back on My Sweets book.  Check out her designs for the Corn Muffins and Chocolate Beet Cupcakes.  I hope I don't get flour all over her beautifully designed pages!  And after she was able to grab some time and answer our questions, here's what she has to say...

What is your favorite muffin/cupcake?

I love zucchini and feta muffins with a little lemon zest!

What reality TV show would you love to be on?

I would love to be on No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain, preferably while he is in France.

What sound or noise do you love?

Love the sound of music (not the movie)

What sound or noise do you hate?

Hate the sound of potato chip bags.

Apart from making beautiful artwork, what else do you do?

I do graphic design, drink coffee and walk dogs. 

Tell me a bit about yourself.

I am in a serious transitional period, I recently lost my husband to cancer and my shih tzu to a car. Although it's a very emotional and hard time, I get a lot of comfort from doing art or crafts and making something to express myself. There is always a bright side to things, and sewing a seed like doing recipes for other people in need makes me feel good about life and passing on the positivity. 

What would be the title of your memoir?

"You never know what life is going to throw you, so pull up your boots and get ready."

Where does your inspiration come from?

Knowing you could lose everything in a moments time makes me know there is nothing to fear. Just do it in other words, no matter what. 

When did you know you were an artist/maker?

When I was young and would order my crayons so they looked like the color spectrum. I guess that's when I knew I was slightly obsessive compulsive too. 

Describe your creative process...

I love drawing things, so I always start there. Then I usually use a scanner and computer to help make my vision a reality. 

If you could peak inside the studio of any artist, designer, or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?

William Morris

What is one artistic tool you can't live without?

Sharpies

Check out Dani's blog and website for more artwork..

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!

-Andrea

2nd Annual Silent Auction Fundraising Event for Back on My Feet

Who has two thumbs and will be at the Fund raising Event for Back on My Feet this Saturday at Lir from 3 to 6.  THIS GIRL!  My fellow bomfer, Joslynn Lee, will be running the Marine Corps Marathon and needs your help!  So come on down to Lir to show your support for Josylnn, sign her shirt for her upcoming race, donate to the auction, or just say hi, because we are that awesome!  I'll be bringing along some copies of Back on My Sweets available to purchase!  Here are some details

**SAVE THE DATE**

Come join us in a fun and friendly atmosphere to bid on some great items! A raffle drawing will also take place too! You will be benefiting Back on My Feet.
 

Josylnn worked hard to make this a fun auction, which includes donations from restaurants, Aerial Aircrafts, Fit Corp, and many more.  Check out her site here!

Auction Start Time: 4PM
Auction Stop Time: 5PM

Come sign a tee shirt for Joslynn to wear when she is running the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon in October!

Finger food will be provided and there will be a cash-bar.

And if you can't make it, feel free to donate to Joslynn's fund raising page!

Hope to see you there!

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!

-Andrea 

Back on My Sweets - Now Available to the public!

No it wasn't my birthday yesterday, but I was all smiles and giggles!  I just received approval from the staff at Back on My Feet to go public with the Back on My Sweets illustrated recipe book!  So click below for all your holiday present needs, or just because you love artwork, muffins, and want to support an amazing organization... 

Back on My Sweets

And big hugs to all that helped out with this project!  Stay tuned for more artist interviews!

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!  Nom nOm noM...

-Andrea 

It's Interview Time!

So to get to know our Back on My Sweets contributing artists, I've compiled a list of interview questions and nagged and nagged until I was blue in the face and our talented group of illustrators, graphic designers, and watercolor artists finally got back to me...  So drum roll please....

Featured Artist: Johanna Pabst

And here goes!   

What is your favorite muffin or cupcake?
Vanilla/vanilla - As a cupcake aficionado, it is more about the particular recipe than a specific flavor.  Vanilla/vanilla is the perfect test case for comparing different bakeries' cupcakes.


Apart from making beautiful artwork, what else do you do?
I am pursuing my PhD in Sociology at Boston College.  I also teach sociology at undergrad level.  My interests are on media and technology, the digital divide, pop culture, and culture in general, and gender.  I've been working on this for a long time, hopefully I'll finish sometime soon.  But art certainly distracts me!

Where does your inspiration come from?
From the world around me, from the things I love. I painted for awhile before I became really prolific about a year and a half ago, and honestly, my inspiration was cupcakes. That was when I realized I didn’t have to paint fruit and flowers all the time, as we had in my watercolor classes. I could paint anything I wanted, and the prettiest little things I knew at the time were cupcakes. So I went crazy. Since then, I just try to look around me and remember when I see something that I might want to paint a picture of. I also save lots of photos on my computer- sort of my inspiration folder! I am also inspired by many artists, especially the artists around me on Etsy. 

When did you know you were an artist/maker? 
I'm not sure if I know it now, but it's definitely more now than before I had an etsy shop and people requesting me to do things. It's always amazing when someone wants my art (and is willing to pay for it). Before that, artistic and crafty things were definitely occasional hobby only, and hardly even that. Now it's a part of me and something I have to do. Of course, now I worry about turning it into too much work and ruining the fun.

Check out more of Johanna's art on her Etsy Shop, JoJo La Rue!  I'd like to also congratulate Johanna on her first solo show at Petite Robert in Brighton, MA.  The reception is this Saturday, Oct 15th from 4:30-6PM, click here for the facebook invite.

I know I'll be stopping by!  

Stay tuned for the Back on My Sweets book for Johanna's contributing recipe, Pineapple and Cream Cheese Muffins!    

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!  Nom Nom Nom...

-Andrea

Status Update

I just submitted the final edits for the book and hopefully ordered the last copy before making Back on My Sweets available to the public!  The book is due to be delivered Oct 12th, so once again I'll be one antsy lady until then.  I'll need lots of distractions so feel free to bombard me with jokes, story telling, charades, puppetry, and or just standing on your head to keep me from going crazy!  Hopefully I won't drive the mail carrier too nuts with my, "is it here, is it here, is it here" comments every 5 seconds.  I think that whole "watched pot never boils" thing is horse crap....

Just a runner with a sweet tooth*

-Andrea 

Five months is a long time....

As you all know, I've been working on the Back on My Sweets book for about 5 months now.  Do you know how long 5 months is, that's 152.184249 days according to my very large and important calculator.  

What can you do in 5 months really, well, I looked it up and 

• It's enough time for a sheep to get pregnant and then have a little sheep baby. 
• You can watch What About Bob two thousand two hundred thirteen times.
• Nine and a half trips around the world.
• Three thirty seconds of a Twinkie's shelf life.

In that time, I pitched my idea to Back on My Feet to make sure they were along for the ride, gathered a team of talented artists and bakers, and got to work slaving away.  My intention was for each recipe to be illustrated in any medium, so that while you are baking, you can enjoy beautiful artwork.  Or just lick the bowl like I do!  Many of my neighbors, roommates, and running friends were subjected to tasting muffins, but I don't really think they minded.  I knew I was in muffin overload when coworkers and roommates would greet me by asking if I had any muffins.  Ummm, yeh, Hi to you too...  Do I look like the muffin lady, apparently so!  Max, my dog, even got in on the action, as I added in a muffin recipe just for dogs.  He thanked me in WOOFS!     

Soooo....  I buckled down and ordered the proof last night and then celebrated by NOT making muffins!  The book should be here in 6 business days.  This will be the longest 6 business days of my life, ever.  So stay tuned for more updates on the book and tidbits about the artists and bakers that helped out with Back on My Sweets!

-Andrea