People, Places, & Things : Cravings | Caroline Gould | Cake Party

Caroline Gould

Cake Party

12"x12", oil on canvas

Artist Statement

Cakes are obviously craveable in the literal sense. First, there is the immediate promise of a sugar high. Then there is the craving for visual stimulation, satisfied by the bright colors and designs. But cakes represent an entirely different kind of craving to me as well. They are symbols of innocent, uncomplicated joy. We eat cake when we are celebrating, when we are happy, when we are with loved ones. To me, cakes embody a state of joy without caveats, or complications. In this turbulent, complicated and sometimes depressing world, some of the simple joys of childhood are what I crave the most.

This painting is based on a photograph by food photographer Caitlin Bensel.
Bio

Caroline Gould was raised in New York City, and currently lives in the East Bay with her
husband. She studied art at Oberlin College. She stopped painting for many decades and is now thrilled to be doing it again.