Neiko Oiken is a talented Detroit baker who has built quite the following due to her excellent work. She has an extensive background in visual arts, painting and design, and she is also the owner of Neiko’s Cupcakes. Rolling out talked to the culinary wiz about her food, art and Detroit’s impact on her creativity.
Who is Neiko, aside from the artistry?
That’s a tough question because what I do is who I am. I’ve been creating since I was in the 5th grade, drawing minor cartoons then advancing to acrylic painting and sculptures in high school. I’ve dabbled in sports as well. I was on the basketball team and track team in middle school, and I even did a year in gymnastics. If I were to answer your question straightforward, I would say that aside from cupcakes, I enjoy photography, being active and traveling.
What are your inspirations in regard to design and photography?
Not sure if this sounds silly or not, but my inspirations when it comes to design and photography are lighting and the ‘clean look.’ When I’m capturing that perfect shot of my cupcake, natural lighting gives it that natural sort of simple and delicate feel. I want the viewer to not only enjoy the taste, I also want their eyes to gently fall in love.
How did going to an arts school in Detroit inspire you creatively?
Detroit School of Arts molded me into the person who I knew I could always become. What I mean by that is that the students, teachers, curriculum, and all around atmosphere of DSA made me feel as if I belonged there. I’ve connected with so many great people there both while attending and after I graduated. I was a visual arts major and everyday was a new experience. There was this one teacher I learned under from 9th-11th grade and his name was Mr. Boyd. I’ll never forget this guy. His paintings belong in the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts). He expanded my mind beyond just a paint brush and a pencil. He pushed you to your limits then pushed you more because he knew you could go past what you thought was your peak. I truly do miss him and appreciate everything he has done for me.
Describe your initial steps toward designing delicacies?
I have one rule when making cupcakes; it better taste just as good as it looks. Having an art background gives me this OCD of making sure every cupcake that leaves my front door will leave your eyes and taste buds in complete happiness. When creating, I always want something new that people haven’t seen, and I want to excite them. I pull ideas from everything and anything. Children are the best to brainstorm with because their minds have no stop signs. Then you have the photography. Now I’m not really sure how, but photos help me with the layout and color scheme of the cupcake, and cupcake liner included. Lastly, eating different foods at different places; desserts, meats, candy, soup, vegetables, etc; gives your brain that boost you need when trying to push out not only a new good flavor, but one with symmetry.
You’re almost halfway to your Gofundme goal of raising $1,000 toward opening your bakery in the heart of Detroit. What can we expect next from you as a business owner?
I love my city and I always try my best to support local businesses, but I can not express enough how elated I am to see that there are people who really believe in me and what I want to do, that’s all love. With that being said, as a business owner I want to get the city involved with Neiko’s Cupcakes. I want to make it a community place in a way where people feel comfortable. I don’t want my shop to just be another bakery or an, ‘in and out’ type shop. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I have huge plans on getting the locals involved. It’s important that we bring back that sense of home with local businesses.
Follow Neiko on Twitter: @CcNeiko
–andre ellington
