Читать книгу Alan Dunn's Sugarcraft Flower Arranging - Alan Dunn - Страница 6

FOREWORD

BY KERRY VINCENT

Alan Dunn is in a class of his own. He breathes different air when it comes to the art of sugar flowers and has no peer. I have seen Alan’s transition from tentative artist to full-blown global icon truly earning his place as one of the great ones. Our professional relationship and personal friendship spans 21 years, even prior to the publication of his first book Wild Flowers, so I have seen it all. A man who has dedicated his career to not only producing exquisite sugar forms of a variety of flora but also to obsessing that those renditions be as accurate as man can make them. His eye forever watching, he has gathered flowers and foliage from all over the world in his quest for perfect replications and new challenges. Dunn spends time researching in botanical gardens, street side, in the woods, nurseries, and flower shops to gather specimens that he studies for accuracy. These examples are ripped apart and dissected to see how the flowers and foliage tick. There is always great attention to detail and much discussion driven by the need to strive for excellence.

As a result of this intense examination, we see stunning replications of sugar flowers that are eagerly adopted by his fans and friends in pursuit of their own standard of artistry. This extends from the hobbyist to celebrated visible sugar artists and cake designers who wouldn’t be caught dead without an Alan Dunn reference book on their shelves.

Alan has been a fortunate man starting out as an intern with Tombi Peck, his mentor, friend, and teacher. Blossoming under her tutelage, Alan assisted when Tombi co-published Decorative Touches with a third party, then Peck and Dunn co-published titles together from then on. Later, colleague Tony Warren, another gifted floral artist, joined them and the trio collaborated in subsequent publications.

Twenty-five books later, Dunn is probably one of the world’s most prolific authors in the cake decorating niche. Fan power has opened the door to invitations to share and teach his techniques in multiple countries; a short list includes the United States, Russia, Holland, Japan, and Australia, where we were principal presenters together. Working with Alan is always fun; he is consistently gracious and never selfish when sharing his art, so much so that I invited him to be key presenter at the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show—the most prestigious competitive event in the US where he has joined a small club of illuminati. I have also awarded him the Oklahoma Medal of Honor for his incredible skill, artistry, contribution to the sugar arts, and his overall humanity.

I know that Alan Dunn’s Sugarcraft Flower Arranging will reach a new generation of artists who will be similarly inspired by the thoughtful work that has come before.

Having Alan Dunn in my life has been a pleasure and a privilege both professionally and personally and I look forward to more great works in the future.

KERRY VINCENT

Career highlights: After thirteen seasons, Kerry Vincent is still the judge to fear on Food Network Challenge. Add to that Last Cake Standing 1 & 2 and the Great Australian Bake Off. Kerry hosts Save My Bakery, a makeover series, directs and stages the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show, is a freelance writer, author, presenter, and world traveler. She is also the high-profile national ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Australia and was inducted into the International Cake Exploration Société Hall of Fame in 2004 and Dessert Professional Hall of Fame in 2010.