Maggie Austin LaBaugh

Maggie Austin LaBaugh’s phenomenal paintings take the cake, literally. The former ballet sensation has drawn inspiration from her dancing days to create whimsical one-of-a-kind cake designs. Maggie hand paints desserts with incredible detail, making them an indulgence for the mouth and eyes alike. Even her cookies take on clever styling, drafting off influences from impressionist, Bauhaus, and art nouveau movements. Sweeten up your morning with inspiration from Maggie in her 10 ANSWERS below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Clean. Elegant. Cheeky.

2. Who is your creative role model?
Thomas Keller, Alexander McQueen, Phillipe Starck, Pim Van Den Akker, and Aran Goyoaga.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Watch NBA basketball on a big screen in HD.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
Budapest…chalk full of architectural contradictions and home to my favorite Italian restaurant of all time, anywhere.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
Photographer.  I take all of my pictures and I’d love to learn how to actually do it.

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
Lemon Sabayon-Pine Nut Tart with Honeyed Mascarpone Cream from The French Laundry cookbook.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
Windsor tea kettle and Dualit toaster.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Make it happen.”  Practiced often in the kitchen at Charlie Trotter’s.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
Pimdesigned, Cannelle-et-Vanille, Style.com.

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When it looks balanced through my camera lens.