Golden Peacock (Cookie Celebration)

Whew!  I loved this challenge but boy was it hard.  I have so many artists that inspire me and I've tried so many cookies that, well, just didn't make it.  This "Golden Peacock" was done in a style inspired by Marta Torres, The Cookie Lab.  I've forever been in love with Marta's ability to create such beautiful dimensional cookies using a VERY small area of cookie.  This cookies is about 5" tall.  My goal was to use the royal icing in various colors and then layer hand-painted details to add dimension and details.  I "like" the cookie, I don't "love" the cookie, but I have to say, it was rewarding to challenge myself.  Below are the stages I took with the cookie from design to execution.  I don't know how Marta does it; when you look at her cookies the very small details are just amazing.  I wasn't able to recreate all of what she does but maybe next try.  Yes, I'll try again.  It was fun, frustrating, but fun.

Great collaboration! And I love the cookie! The way you did the RI with painting on top made a great effect! Very cool. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ

Kim Damon posted:

Great collaboration! And I love the cookie! The way you did the RI with painting on top made a great effect! Very cool. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ

Thank you so much Kim!

I think it is beautiful!

What a gorgeous cookie this is! I can definitely see Marta's style/influence here. In addition, I love your color palette and your painted accents are stunning.

Now that you have attempted her style, what questions would you ask Marta? What aspect of her style still alludes you or what would you do differently if you attempted a project like this again?  

Hi CC! This is stunning artwork! The colors are so pure and vivid; the green, in particular, as collar feathers, with the flecks of gold, are perfect, as they offset the blues of the plumage. Just an absolutely excellent piece of art! Thank you!

Econlady posted:

I think it is beautiful!

Thank you Kate!!

Bakerloo Station posted:

What a gorgeous cookie this is! I can definitely see Marta's style/influence here. In addition, I love your color palette and your painted accents are stunning.

Now that you have attempted her style, what questions would you ask Marta? What aspect of her style still alludes you or what would you do differently if you attempted a project like this again?  

Thank you Christine!  Wow, there are so many questions.  I keep trying to arrange my calendar to get into one of Marta's classes because I cannot fathom how she does it!  She makes it look easy...it's not!!  The first  questions is how does she get the depth in each design?  Try as I might, and I tried a couple of other designs without success, I could not get the depth of the design Marta gets.  Is the royal icing done in layers? Is the royal icing thinner in some areas to get a flatter look and thicker in other areas to get a "puffier" look? 

What eludes me is how she gets such success without outlining. I felt I needed to.  Again, it may be my icing consistency.

I'd like to try Marta's style again as it is a real challenge for me at a time when I think my own work would improve if I challenge myself outside of my own comfort zone. I would design something with even smaller details next time, I'd use a lot of colors, and I would experiment with my icing consistency all on the one cookie.  Great challenge.  I'm working on a couple of others but we'll see if they work out! >  

Toni posted:

Hi CC! This is stunning artwork! The colors are so pure and vivid; the green, in particular, as collar feathers, with the flecks of gold, are perfect, as they offset the blues of the plumage. Just an absolutely excellent piece of art! Thank you!

Thank you so much Toni!  I wished I would have achieved more depth but it was a great experiment to get myself out of my own comfort zone.  Thanks so much for your kind words.

Beautiful design, Diane. I did take one of Marta's classes, and I can say that icing consistency and layering are an integral part of her creations. If you ever do get the opportunity to attend one of her classes I would recommend it. Hopefully, we will see more beautiful creations like this from you again. 

I love it!

Gorgeous!!! Great job! I love it 💜💚💙

Beautiful!!!

Sweet Prodigy - Christine posted:

Beautiful design, Diane. I did take one of Marta's classes, and I can say that icing consistency and layering are an integral part of her creations. If you ever do get the opportunity to attend one of her classes I would recommend it. Hopefully, we will see more beautiful creations like this from you again. 

Thank you Christine!  Still trying to get depth in my cookies. Thanks for the tips.

Julia M. Usher posted:

I love it!

Thank you Julia.

Evelindecora posted:

Gorgeous!!! Great job! I love it 💜💚💙

Thank you Evelin!  I tried twice to do a miniature cookie to mimic your style and did nt succeed!!!  I am in awe of your talent.  I am still mesmerized by the level of detail you get on those miniatures!!

Biljana Kovacevic posted:

Beautiful!!!

Thank you Biljana!

A stunning piece. 

Wonderful coookie! ❤️

Tina at Sugar Wishes posted:

A stunning piece. 

Thank you Tina!!

@Cookie Celebration LLC I don't know how in the world I missed seeing this beauty!!! But I just have to jump in here to say how gorgeous this peacock is in all aspects. Your work, Diane, demonstrates your various skills in creating amazing artwork on cookies. I absolutely love this cookie with all of its dimension and vivid color . Beautifully done, my friend ❤️