Art Good Enough to Eat

Passions have a funny way of presenting themselves in our lives. More often it is not that we search for the things we are good at, but rather that they end up finding us. We fall into them naturally, more as an accident than an effort, because they are, quite simply, in our nature.

For 19-year-old Jenna Savarese, finding the right niche came after realizing she could turn something she was good at into a successful, rewarding career.

Savarese, who was born and raised in Poway, has always been involved with art in one way or another. She is an avid painter and illustrator, and her walls are filled with vivid and wondrous photo-realistic representations of several subjects. Respecting simplicity when it comes to mediums, she creates most of her non-culinary works using acrylic paint and ink. She is also a lover of character and the intricate variety of human beings, and her illustrations predominantly encompass focal points in portraiture.

"I really love to portray people," said Savarese, concerning her forays into illustration. "There's so much beauty in representing people. No two faces are alike."

For Savarese, who graduated from Poway High School in 2009, the idea of cake decorating came a year and a half ago as whim inspired by television shows such as TLC's Cake Boss and sculpting techniques she learned in school art programs, such as the ceramic class she took at Poway High School.

"I kept on watching these shows and thinking to myself, 'Wow, that is so cool. You know, I really think I could do that,'" said Savarese. "I tried it and to my surprise  it has turned out to be something I'd really love to make a career out of."

Savarese finds joy in bringing her art to other people in a way that's uniquely satisfying to them. When she creates a work of art or cake for someone, witnessing their reaction after they have seen the finished product is an amazing experience.

"I love to see people's faces when they get to see their cake or other piece of finished art," said Savarese. "Plus, creating for me is a relaxing process. It really helps me get my mind off of everything and just be in the moment."

Currently attending The Art Institute of San Diego, Savarese aspires to one day open up her own bakery or dessert shop. "The only thing I'll have to get used to is waking up early to make sure everything is fresh and ready for the day," Savarese said. "I'm not typically a morning person, so that's something I'll have to learn."

In order to make her creations possible, Savarese relies on fondant and materials from places such as Ro Z's Sweet Art Studio, a fabulously equipped cake and bakery supply store in San Marcos.

"The woman who runs Ro Z's is so sweet and helpful," said Saverese. " She's always giving me tips and ideas for my cakes."

To contact Jenna Savarese, or to learn more about her cake services, e-mail jsavarese584@gmail.com