Gearing up for 2015/2016 Creative Classes. 
Inspire and introduce yourself or your kids to the world of art and design. These classes will whet your child's appetite for a possible career in the creative professional fields or be an enhancement to your existing skills.

The schedule is finally set …
2015/2016  Fall Schedule

Introduction to Graphic Design
This class provides a foundation for careers in graphic art, interior space design, storyboarding, digital media, video production, photography, web design, printing and publishing. 
for adults and highschoolers ... learn more
Offered Fridays 10:00 to 11:15

Watercolor and Art Theory
I will expose my students to enjoyable, informed painting and fill your back pockets with techniques that will move your art forward. This class also provides an opportunity to meet other students/artists in a non-threatening setting. You will learn while having fun and being inspired by others.
for middle schoolers, highschoolers and adults ... learn more
Offered Tuesdays  5:30pm to 6:15pm

Continuing Art and Design
This class is continued training and art exploration for those students who have previously taken a class (art or design) with me. ... learn more
Offered Fridays from 12:30pm to 1:45pm

I'm very excited to introduce a new continuing art education class for next year. This will be for all past students of mine to continue honing their skills in watercolor, graphic design, composition, sketching, digital media and hand skills. It is a way for students to challenge themselves and move forward with their art and design exploration. The students will gain the ability to understand a project by analyzing, performing research and utilizing various mediums to create layouts and art that visually communicate the intended emotion or message. They will create some amazing portfolio pieces!

Contact Caryn Dahm with questions via e-mail or phone at 407-421-3198
or simply Hit Reply to this message. : )

I've recently had the pleasure of working with a lovely client on a custom recipe piece. It is for a chocolate icing that her Mom has always made and spread on a 4-layer yellow cake. The family has this cake at special occasions and celebrations. It was so much fun to create that I thought I would share the process.

The client had a couple of photos of the cake from birthday celebrations. I was happy to have these so that I could see the cake on their favorite cake stand and one with a slice taken out. The client expressed that while this was a 6-layer cake, they usually made it with 4 layers. Of course, there is always room for artistic interpretation as well : )

Next up, was the Hershey's cocoa powder. Painting this was so much fun and I was very happy with the vintage look the container took on.

The client was also able to score a photo of a family recipe notebook. I removed a lot of extra information but decided to keep the printed words, INGREDIENTS and INSTRUCTIONS along with her Mom's handwriting to use as a background texture. 

This particular piece was created for a Mother's Day gift, but her siblings and Aunts will get prints too.


As anyone who has lost a family member knows, a person's handwriting is so special and personal. Using the handwritten recipes in these art pieces makes them into a family heirloom. When my father passed away, I created a scrapbook full of his diagrams, mementos and writing. It brought me comfort to keep all of these things preserved nicely together in one place. In much the same way, cooking a recipe that your family has handed down for generations is a way to continue heritage and tradition. Looking at a piece of art that doubles as a recipe while you are cooking is like, well … a beautiful living memorial.

This icing is certainly one I will have to try some day. It got me thinking about cake quotes, including my favorite from Julia Child, which says, "A party without cake is just a meeting." 

Do you have any favorite family recipes or cake quotes to share?

This being Easter weekend my mind is on all of the blessings we live with daily. The freshness, the Spring colors, the endless inspiration and of course the beautiful reason for the holiday. It could not be more simple and perfect.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

As we enjoy our weekends and feasts with families and friends, may we thank Him for the richness of our bountiful blessings and be a group of people who sow generously.