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Zombie Parton Cake And Baker Interview

Sarah Jones works in fondant and sugar the way special effects makeup artists (and, no surprise, she is one herself) work in liquid latex and spirit gum. Although she’s just as talented at making cakes that are whimsical and delicious looking, her undead creations should hold a special place in the hearts of zombie fans. Based in Tennessee, Sarah is an award-winning cake artist who makes her cakes out of pure passion — she does not sell her work. Her latest gory creation is called Zombie Parton, and as soon as I saw it, I had to know more.

Holly Q, Buy Zombie [BZ]: So, what’s Zombie Parton’s story? How long did she take?

Sarah Jones [SJ]: Zombie Parton started out as an honest attempt to capture Dolly Parton’s likeness in a cake. I did the cake for The Great Cake Bake competition of Knoxville, TN — a fundraiser for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I usually do cake competitions for shock value. If I can get someone to stop in their tracks and think to themselves, “Is that REALLY a cake?” then I feel accomplished. When I have free artistic reign over a cake, I like to create the dark and unusual. For this competition, I decided to do something a little more palatable for the judges. Dolly took about 2 days (off and on) to create. However, when Dolly Parton was finished, I absolutely HATED the cake. Everything about it! With much regret I submitted the Dolly Parton cake into the competition and won 3rd place in the professional division. I took the cake home and couldn’t stand walking past it. So, the next morning I decided to “fix” it. Thus, Zombie Parton was born!

BZ: What has the reaction to the cake been like?

SJ: It is a mixed bag. Some people really dig the cake. Some people are repulsed. I get a lot of, “What flavor is it?” (I usually do my 3D cakes in pound cake). My favorite reaction is, “I wouldn’t eat that!” I wouldn’t either! However, it is art to me. I do it for the artistic endeavor. If I wanted to make a delicious looking cake–it certainly wouldn’t have two (or three) eyes staring back at you!

BZ: How did you get into cake art? How long have you been doing it?

SJ: My husband purchased a beginner’s cake decorating class at Sugarbaker’s Cake, Candy & Wedding Supplies as a mother’s day gift for me in May 2007. I didn’t really start experimenting with sculpting cakes until September of 2008, when I entered a Nine Inch Nails-inspired cake into the local fair cake contest. I was not expecting to win the contest because it was quite shocking. It had a skull on the top, the middle tier was inspired by the Paris catacombs, and the bottom tier was rusted metal impaled with bloody teeth. I won 1st place, though!

BZ: I started following your Facebook Fan
Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cake-Artist-Sarah-Jones/110653318993951) after I came across the Dead Man’s Farm cake, which was the most insane cake I’d ever seen. What has been your favorite cake?

SJ: Thank you for the compliment! The Dead Man’s Farm cake was the most fun I’ve ever had making a cake. Every part of the process was exciting for me. I do makeup for Dead Man’s Farm haunted house in Lenoir City, TN — so, I am really into special effects makeup. If I could, I would move to Hollywood and make zombies for a living! I am inspired by talented sculptors/special effects artists such as James Kagel. James Kagel’s body of work speaks for itself — he is a master! I am really into Todd Masters, too! If you haven’t checked out his website — it is a must see http: //www.mastersfx.com/

BZ: What’s next?

SJ: My next cake competition will be the Tennessee Valley Fair in September. I really love doing cakes for the Tennessee Valley Fair because you don’t have to stick with a theme and I can really let my imagination run wild. In 2009 I made a cake inspired from one of Michael Hussar‘s paintings. His art really amazes me — the textures, the mood. I am constantly looking for new inspiration. My next career move is uncertain. Until then, you can follow my cake page on Facebook to see what I’m up to. I have kicked around the idea of starting a bakery — but, my lack of experience in a bakery makes me nervous! I only do cake competitions and I will make an occasional celebration cake. I would love to get some experience in a bakery. There are several talented cake artists I would love to study under. I have many favorite cake artists — but, Karen Portaleo and Eric Woller are two of my favorites.

To become a fan of Cake Artist Sarah Jones on Facebook, click
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