Cake is undeniably one of the best party essentials. No matter what the occasion is, having a cake makes any occasion more fun and memorable. But for this young artist, a cake is not just a tasty confection. For JP Cledera, cake is a way of articulating his artistic versatility and also, one of the reasons why he caught the attention of the global music icon, Taylor Swift.
The Man behind the cake art
John Paul Cledera or JP Cledera became popularly known after his viral Taylor Swift’s Folklore Cake and the presidential candidate cakes, for former Vice President Leni Robredo’s Rosas Cake and the #NeverAgain Marcos Cake.
In our exclusive interview with him, JP mentioned that he started making art very young. Like most people, artists can also be either introverts or extroverts, and as for JP, he describes himself as a socially anxious and introverted individual who has an unending passion in creating art. To the point that he would rather spend his day making art at home rather than going outside.
When asked about his biggest influence on his craft, JP mentioned that he’s influenced by all the artists he has met throughout the years, as they all helped him to become the artist that he is right now.
As a fan of Taylor Swift’s music, JP also said that he took inspiration mostly from music and films, as it all sparks a light of creativity within him.
Cake as a canvas
Before creating cake art, JP mainly draws and paints both in traditional and digital form, and he usually uploads them on his Instagram art account.
JP claimed that he had no real experience decorating or painting cakes at first. The thing is, he only started creating cake art after he and his sister couldn’t find a minimalist cake shop that still took orders.
Who wouldn’t believe that through an unexpected inconvenience, it will help an artist to level up his career in creating art? JP made it work, and that was the first time he started using cake as his canvas.
Proud Swiftie moment
ICYDK, the one and only Taylor Swift not only praised the incredible cake artworks of JP, but also stalked his Instagram art account. Right, you read that right, THE Taylor Swift fell in love with JP's artworks, too. Even if it’s been two years now, JP still couldn’t believe that it happened.
When asked about his takeaway from that VERY surreal moment, JP told us that the experience taught him to never give up on his dreams no matter how small or big they may be.
JP also said that it made him realize that he shouldn’t listen to what people say about his art or what type of art he should create. Throughout the years, JP admitted that he would get comments from people in his life telling him to paint something else other than Taylor.
“I’m glad that I did not listen, because it opened up a lot of opportunities for me as a small artist in the Philippines, like getting exposure from local and international news/websites all just from getting a shoutout from Taylor Swift herself.”
Baddie Cakes
Last year, we featured JP and his sister, Nicole’s cake shop, Baddie Cakes, in our article about minimalist cakes you can find around the metro. During the interview, we also asked JP to tell us more about their sibling dynamics when it comes to creating cake art.
JP explained that he’s really much of a baker, her sister is the one who bakes the cake and he’s only in-charge of the design. “So basically, my sister and I would talk first about ideas on what we should create, and then she bakes and frosts the cake which would then become my blank canvas for the cake art,” he added.
Unforgettable cake artworks for JP
When asked about the most memorable cakes he created, aside from the Taylor Swift cakes, JP said that it would probably be the “Leni and Marcos cake”. Since it’s his first time to be vocal about his political beliefs.
During the campaign period, JP was one of the active young Filipinos who supported the presidential candidate, former VP Leni.
JP explained that it’s important to always practice our rights in expressing ourselves through art, since art is one of the powerful tools we can use to influence and inspire people.
As the interview gets to an end, JP also left a message to his fellow young Filipino artists.
“To all my fellow Filipino artists out there, NEVER let anyone stop you or tell you what art you should make because art is about expressing YOURSELF so create whatever the hell you want!”
If you want to have custom cakes painted by JP, go check out their online cake shop, ‘Baddie Bakes,’ on Facebook and Instagram.
━━ Art By Metroscene Mag
