Indie Minded Radio Station

Hi Runners, Bakers, Art Lovers, and Friends!  It's been a while, I've been out running, baking, eating, and making some art.  Just this past Saturday I had the great fortune of being a guest on Indie Minded Radio Station.  I had a great time chatting with hosts Kelly and Catherine about Back on My Sweets, the upcoming Oscars, and the nasty Flu epidemic.  You can check out the interview here, and then choose interview #4!  Make sure you grab a cup of something steamy hot and a nice yummy muffin while you listen.

If you would like more details about Indie Minded Radio, just email Kelly, radio[at]indieminded.com

Stay tuned for some more artist interviews!

Just a runner with a Sweet TOOOOOOTH!
-Andrea

Interview time

And now presenting ...

MARY ACCETTA

Featured Artist: My very own Grammie, Mary Accetta

Mary can paint, she can watercolor, crack a joke like you wouldn't believe, and if you're ever in the neighborhood and hungry, stop by and she'll whip something up for you that's delish. I love hearing her stories, and cracking up at her anticks. Sometimes I wish I could have been one of Gram's friends growing up, she seemed like such a whippersnapper! When I started the idea for the book, I knew I had to enlist the help of Grammie. Check out her recipes she illustrated, Orange Raisin Muffins, Rhubarb Coffe Cake Muffins, and Sunny Morning Muffins.

Here's what she had to say.

Favorite muffin/cupcake ... Raisin Bran, for fiber and they are YUMMY!

If you could be on any reality TV show, which one would you be on? ... Wheel of Fortune and Pickers (it's a show where people go around looking for junk to resell)

What sound or noise do you love? ... music

What sound or noise do you hate? ... leaf blowers

Apart from making beautiful artwork, what else do you do? ... Get in my car and travel, especially go to the beach.

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. 
 

What would be the title of your memoir? ..."Keep a Song in your Heart," because I love good music, and I don't like this rappy crap.

Where does your inspiration come from? ... Outside, nature, gardens, people.

What's your creative process? ... First, I have to be in the mood, then it has to be quiet or just a touch of soft music in the background. There's no special time, I just create when something hits me.

When did you know you were an artist? ... Probably when I was a kid, I was always drawing in my coloring book. I take after my Grandmother, I didn't know it then though.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be? ... Monet, Van Gogh (Yeh, some of his stuff is pretty good), Grandma Moses, and Norman Rockwell.

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


What handmade treasures do you have that you love? ... Quilts my daughter made, and paintings my grandkids did for me when they were super little.

Here's a photo of Grammie and the best bro ever!

Just a runner with a sweet tooth!


-Andrea

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