All things Alice Straker and Women's History!

This year we're celebrating Women's History Month with an exclusive collaboration with Alice Straker and Lily Vanilli.

We had the pleasure of asking Alice a few questions about our collab, her process and more. Read on to find out what she has to say!

If you want to see these gorgeous prints in person and dance the night away with us, join us in our shop event!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, who you are and your practice? 

I’m an emerging British artist based in Hampshire. I was originally inspired to start painting after seeing a slice of raspberry meringue cake in France, that I thought was so beautiful, I felt compelled to paint it. I love that 8 years later I am collaborating with you on a cake project, going back to the origin of my inspiration. My work focuses on, but is not limited to, the subject of food and drink. I am currently working in an impasto style to emulate the edibility of my subjects. I also work closely with the colour wheel, and the exploration of colour is vital in my Art. 

We’ve had the honour of collaborating with you for an exclusive range, can you tell us a bit about the range? 

Working on this range with you has been a dream come true! The first time I was in the presence of a Lily Vanilli cake was at a friend’s wedding in 2022. I was blown away by the magnificence and splendour of their wedding cake - I returned home and immediately painted it.

  

The groom purchased the painting before Christmas last year and it now hangs on their wall a forever memory of their special day. So when EEP asked me if I wanted to do a project featuring Lily Vanilli’s cakes - I simply could not resist! 

The aim was to capture the iced up beauty of these masterpieces. I selected a range of Lily Vanilli’s iconic cake designs, all with the most fabulous names like ‘Pastel Party Cake’ and ‘Bow Selecta’. I worked closely with EEP to establish the pastel coloured backgrounds, and together, we have created a really decadent and delicious cake print range. I can’t wait for the release! 

Which is your favourite print for the collection? 

It has to be ‘Sun Tavern’ - the three tiered blue cake adorned with maraschino cherries on a light pink background. I love the pop of red against the blue and the gorgeous, white details of the icing. This cake was actually the inspiration for my own wedding cake last year - which ended up being a 6 tier, blue, beauty - which was carried around on a ‘cake throne’ made by my husband, as we couldn’t find a plate big enough! It was created by my great friend, Hesper Bulmer, co-founder of London based catering company, Salsa Rose. 

   

What inspires you when creating your artwork? 

I am really inspired by nostalgia and memory and what these objects represent. A cake for example is ceremonious in nature and takes you back to every birthday party and celebration - they represent abundance of memories and moments. Another great example is my obsession with chocolate eclairs - they transport me to my childhood, to a cafe we would frequent - and maybe we were tiny - but the eclairs seemed enormous and were always bulging with cream! This memory has stuck with me and hence eclairs feature often in my work. 

Can you tell us a bit more about your process? 

I usually start a project by finding imagery of my subject matter and then work on a series of drawings to establish the composition and colour palette. I have started painting and observing from life - so if I can, I will either make or buy whatever it is I am painting. This has been the case for my latest chocolate eclair series - where I commissioned a local bakery to make my muse for me! The final part of the process is creating the work which feels like the act of cooking. I work in an impasto style laying on the oil paint with palette knives, brushes and occasionally spatulas! 

Have you got any other exciting projects coming up? 

I have two exciting exhibitions in the pipeline which I am currently working towards. The first one is taking place at Kinsbrook Vineyard in West Sussex - which I am organising with the owner of the vineyard, and will feature my work alongside three incredibly talented artists on Saturday 18th May, 6-10pm - tickets can be purchased on the Kinsbrook Vineyard website - we would love to see you! I am also exhibiting at Green and Stone Gallery on the Fulham Road with Kate Preston Art Gallery 3-8th June. I will be working on fish themed paintings for both exhibitions. Please come and visit! 

Will you be celebrating Women’s History Month? If so, how? 

This project is in itself a celebration of women as East End Prints, Lily Vanilli and Alice Straker are all female led companies. I think it’s also very fitting that the subject of this series is cake. Cake is the focal point of any celebration and in this case WHM - so I will be toasting influential women with cups of tea and slices of cake art!