We recently connected with Kyle Vawters and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kyle, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted an art career in some shape or form. I was definitely a daydreamer and constantly drawing on my homework. My teacher definitely loved that too. In highschool, while watch a crap ton of Food Network cake competitions, all I could say was ” Thats it. I want to do THAT for the rest of my life.” I’m pretty positive my younger self would think older me is pretty damn cool and thats everything, man. I also love painting skateboards as well, but cakes and cookies are my favorite canvas. When you are a cake decorator, you ARE an artist.
Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like if I gave this all up and just pursued a “regular” job. I’m not going to lie either, there have been times that I want to give up and quit because I thought I wasn’t good enough. Lets be real, being a baker and cake decorator is pretty intense while it is fun. I always wondered if I’d be happier if I did something else, taking all that pressure off. Truth is, I’d hate myself for it. I love what I do too much for me to quit, despite my negative thoughts. I can only get better from here right? Even if I did decide to quit, I better be working at a record shop.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a goofy, awkward baker and cake decorator who loves punk rock, grunge, nerd crap and art. I love making traditional designs, but I REALLY love making cake designs with a rather unusual and yet fashionable twist to it. I offer birthday cakes, wedding cakes, cookies, cake truffles and more!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I have so many ideas, man. Too many actually. The moment I think of a cool cake idea, I have to draw it. It’s absolutely rewarding to have draw out an idea and then bring the cake to life for a customer with it looking exactly how you pictured it to look. I love hearing how it goes above and beyond a client’s expectation.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I’m glad in 2022 that it’s normal to talk about mental illnesses, because I have 4 special letters for you: ADHD. Everyone always say “oh, so you can’t focus”, but it’s actually alot more than that. Getting started is the hardest, being burnt out is frequent, and your emotions are all over the place. I think I only touched the tip of ADHD.
While learning to be a better decorator and baker, I realize that it takes me longer to process information and techniques that has been taught to me while everyone else immediately got the hang of it. I had to accept the fact that I have to try harder than everyone else to get where I need to be. I was always teased about being a perfectionist, and I was always tough on myself to be the best. When I would screw up, I would take it so hard and felt like I’ll never be a great cake artist. I would always be mediocre.
ADHD is a tough fight, but I had to be tougher. I would get upset at myself about mistakes, but I was also determined to learn from it. I asked other decorators and bakers questions to the point I was annoying. I ask them their process on certain projects and try to soak it all up. I had to bounce back and believe in myself. Yes, it takes me longer for me things to click, but damn I still learn it. I love what I do so much, and I can’t let my mental illness or other people who tease me get down.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thegrungebaker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGrungeBaker/
Image Credits
Kayla Enright Photography