Meet Anees Fatimah | Cake Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anees Fatimah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anees, why did you pursue a creative career?
I always had a passion for art and creativity as far back as I can remember. When I was four and learning to write, I would draw detailed drawings of dresses on the side. My books would always be full of doodles and sketches. I was always drawn to artwork regardless of what form it took – painting, sculpting, paper quilling etc. As a teenager, I spent quite a lot of my free time behind an easel. Later I took up crochet as a hobby. I made socks, mittens and hats for my firstborn. A few years ago, I stumbled upon a unique style of art showcased alongside cakes and desserts. I was mesmerized and drawn towards it. It was around the same time when I had started taking an interest in baking cakes for family gatherings and other occasions. It opened my eyes to a whole new style of technique that was challenging yet very rewarding to accomplish. I started pursuing it and let it feed into my in-home cake business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I started baking cakes, I made simple sheet cakes for family and friends during get-togethers. I played it safe with basic flavor combinations. It was my son’s first birthday when I worked with fondant for the first time. I learned early on how difficult it was to work with fondant due to its nature and consistency. It took a while and a lot of trials to perfect it. Once I got the hang of it, I started using fondant to create various props like animals or ornaments to go along with the cake. I started experimenting with colors and flavors. Learning to create gradients or deep rich colors was a fun challenge. I started studying air-brushing techniques to design unique motif cakes. It was a bit of a learning curve but enjoyable to master. As I gained confidence in my work, I started exploring other 3D designs and textures that went well with my cakes. Recently, I started creating custom floral arrangements on cakes to give them more finesse. I’m constantly looking to learn and try out new designs. It’s not always easy, and patience is key when exploring new ideas.

Getting my work done while the sun was still out was always hard. I started when my kids were toddlers. I had a pretty hectic schedule during the day, so I ended up making my cakes after they went to bed. By the time I complete my cake, it would be midnight or later. When I was thinking of a name for my business, my husband jokingly suggested that I keep something related to the night or the moon since those are my work hours. That clicked instantly for me and hence the name “Crescent Cakes”.

I specialize in designer gourmet cakes comprising floral, fondant, geode, chocolate sails, stencil, and dhol (drum). Most of my cakes are my signature style and customized as per client requests. I take inspiration from art, tradition, nature, and couture. I am always exploring new techniques and trends to create my designs.

In my view, what sets me apart is a specialty icing that I have perfected over the years and the combinations that go with it. My clients love them and keep asking for more, especially those who prefer less sugary buttercream. I love using bridal florals and golden textures on my cakes to give them a distinctive look.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are quite a few unique places to visit in Dallas. Here’s what I would recommend to anyone visiting Dallas.

– The Reunion Tower – This would be the first thing on my list. It offers the most amazing view of the Dallas skyline.
– Take a ride on the historic M-Line McKinney trolley.
– A visit to the “Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza”, that chronicles the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy.
– Take a tour of the famous Cowboy Stadium.
– The surrounding areas of Dallas are home to quite a few ranches. A couple of days on a ranch, hiking, and horseback riding would be a lot of fun.
– A guided or self-guided Safari tour at the “Fossil Rim Wildlife Center”.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely! I’ve always felt blessed to have people supporting me. Growing up my father always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. More recently, a group of friends decided to form a creative group where we would sit and work through exercises from – “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. It gave me the jumpstart needed to invest in my creative side, which led to the foundation of my in-home bakery. I had help from many people who believed that I could do this and provided a great deal of encouragement. I felt like I had an army of loved ones supporting me, starting with my husband, family, and some of my dearest friends spread across the globe. And for that, I am forever grateful.

Website: https://crescent-cakes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crescentcakestx/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crescentcakestx

Image Credits
Inaya Chaudhary, Crescent Photography