2015-10-16T15:28:04Z
Brady Phelps never claimed to be an artist. But his Instagram suggests otherwise.
The self-named "pancake dad" has a knack for drawing cartoons, sports team logos, and incredibly lifelike portraits using only pancake batter.
Recently, Phelps helped raise over $38,000 for Charity: Water — a nonprofit aimed at bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries — by creating original flapjacks for anyone who donated $100 or more to the campaign. He's now going to continue until he raises $50,000.
Taylor Swift. Brady Phelps/Getty Images/Tech Insider And it all started from his inability to make a perfectly round pancake.
Tech Insider caught up with Brady to learn the tricks of his morning masterpieces.
Breakfast is quite the affair in the Phelps household. Lilo & Stitch! Thank you to my wonderful sister-in-law @ashleylgrooms for your donation to @charitywater! You're awesome! This pancake took almost 20 minutes to make. 😳 Want your own custom @charitywater pancake for clean water? Click the link in my profile! @Disney @liloandstitch @liloandstitch.official @lilo_and_stitch_ #pancake #pancakes #pancakeart #liloandstitch #disney #disneyland #disneygram #cartoon
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 8, 2015 at 1:09pm PDT
Every Saturday morning, Brady Phelps gets up and prepares stunning pancake art for his two kids. The Starry Night Thank you Matt for donating to @charitywater! Can I make you a custom pancake? Click in my profile! #pancakeart #pancake #pancakes #vangogh #starrynight #thestarrynight
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 2, 2015 at 5:17pm PDT
His portraits include a wide cast of characters, from Anna and Elsa of Disney's "Frozen" ... Anna and Elsa. Not great, but my kids knew who they were. Thank you @aliwmurphy for your donating to @charitywater! #disney #frozen #anna #elsa #pancakes #pancakeart #nothingiscrazy
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 12, 2015 at 2:14pm PDT
... to the leader of the free world. Need to figure out a way to grab a beer with President Obama @potus_official while he's in San Diego this weekend. Pancake made for @charitywater. Want one of your own? Hit up the link in my profile! #obama #potus #usa #president #pancake #pancakeart #pancakes
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 9, 2015 at 6:26pm PDT
But when he first started out, Phelps tells Tech Insider, “I couldn’t make a circle pancake if my life depended on it." Had a blast with @heathermicheletv on @fox5sandiego this morning. We made pancakes for @charitywater! Thanks again for having me, guys! If you'd like a custom pancake for clean water, please click the link in my profile #pancakes #pancake #pancakeart #nothingiscrazy
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 14, 2015 at 7:54pm PDT
Phelps showed off his pancake-making skills on FOX 5 San Diego.
In an attempt to achieve the perfect shape, he found a ketchup bottle in the kitchen and filled it with pancake batter. The bottle’s thin nozzle allowed Phelps to draw an outline before pouring batter onto the stove top. pancakes for my son's class... #pancakes #pancake #pancakeart #disney #frozen #baymax #starwars #batman #cinderella #dinosaur #panda #toystory #buzz #pickle!
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Jul 21, 2015 at 4:26pm PDT
“I accidentally left it on too long,” Phelps admits. When he flipped the flapjack, he saw that the outer rim was much darker in color, because it cooked longer. Flickr/alexyv The mishap sparked a little imagination. Here’s Phelp’s first pancake drawing. "I hadn't figured out I could fill them in yet," he says. Brady Phelps Soon after, Phelps discovered by layering batter at different times, he could create lines and patterns in the pancake. Hulk smash. #pancakes
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Jun 16, 2015 at 8:09am PDT
Food coloring and cocoa powder spiced up his creations. Rarity, I think? #pancakes #mylittlepony
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Jun 26, 2015 at 1:54pm PDT
The designs became more intricate as he added smaller and smaller squeeze bottles to his collection of condiments. My kitchen counter after a pancake making session for @charitywater #pancakeart #pancake #pancakes
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 18, 2015 at 1:37pm PDT
Photos of Phelps' pancakes were a hit among friends and family on Facebook. They constantly requested custom flapjacks. Still haven't donated to @charitywater for a custom pancake? 🐸☕️ $100 gets you any pancake you can dream up. Link is in my profile. 663 MILLION people are living without access to clean water. Let's change that together. xoxox #nothingiscrazy #pancakes #pancake #pancakeart #meme #kermit #lipton #🐸☕️
A video posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 5, 2015 at 8:32am PDT
"It's a quirky skill that I have," Phelps says. "I don't consider myself an artist." "No Kitty, this my pot pie!" - Eric Cartman Thank you @dollycalifornia for donating to @charitywater! @southpark If you'd like a custom pancake fore clean water, please click the link in my profile. #southpark #nokitty #pancakes #nothingiscrazy #pancakeart #pancake
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 19, 2015 at 3:29pm PDT
Earlier this fall, an idea struck Phelps: What if he used his pancake powers for good? Zags! Your @gonzagau Bulldogs! Thank you @matt_mcneal for donating to @charitywater! @zagmbb @gubulldogs @gonzagabasketball If you'd like a custom pancake for clean water, please click on the link in my profile! #zags #gonzaga #bulldogs #pancakes #pancake #pancakeart
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 22, 2015 at 4:56pm PDT
He started a fundraising page through Charity: Water's September Campaign, an annual initiative aimed at supplying clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. Party on, Wayne! Thanks Janet Wallace for your donation to @charitywater! Now somebody needs to donate for Garth :) If you'd like a custom pancake for clean water, please click the link in my profile! #mikemyers #waynesworld #wayne #garth #snl @nbcsnl #pancake #pancakeart #pancakes
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 10, 2015 at 3:34pm PDT
For every $20 donation to Charity: Water, Phelps granted the giver a custom pancake and a time-lapse video of it being made. (Click the image below to play.) The video of my @taylorswift pancake for @charitywater. Thank you so much for donating @caligirlkgore! If you'd like a custom pancake for clean water, please click the link in my profile!
A video posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:49pm PDT
The requests poured in. Phelps drew everyone from Donald Trump ... My recap of the #GOPDebate Donald Trump making a weird face. Thanks to all that have donated to my @charitywater campaign. I love you! If you'd like a custom pancake for clean water, please click the link in my profile. #pancakeart #pancakes #pancake #donaldtrump
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 16, 2015 at 9:05pm PDT
... to New York City's famous "Pizza Rat." Your official NYC Pizza Rat pancake. I mean, #nothingiscrazy, right? Thanks to all that have donated to my @charitywater Pancakes for Clean Water campaign! If you'd like a custom pancake, click the link in my bio! #PizzaRat #NYC #pancake #pancakes #pancakeart
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 21, 2015 at 2:30pm PDT
He's duplicated famous works of art, like "Mona Lisa" and "The Scream." The Scream - Edvard Munch I love a good challenge. Thank you Matt & Emily Crew for donating to @charitywater! If you'd like a custom pancake for clean water, please click the link in my profile! #art #nothingiscrazy #pancakeart #pancake #pancakes #thescream #edvardmunch
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 19, 2015 at 10:11pm PDT
He can draw just about any sports team logo. Had no clue that my @charitywater Pancakes for Clean Water campaign would turn into a sports team logo battle. I love it. Want your team's logo made? Click the link in my profile!
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 9, 2015 at 1:29pm PDT
He was even commissioned to do donors' portraits, which carry more pressure. The pancake is the one on the left. Hilarious, I know. Thank you @oakgypsy for donating to @charitywater! If you'd like a Pancake for Clean Water, click the link in my profile!
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 11, 2015 at 12:00pm PDT
This engaged couple promised to include a photo of their pancake-portrait in the program at their wedding. Every time I do a portrait pancake from a photograph, I feel the need to start with an apology as I'm terrible at these and I'm not an actual artist, I only play one on Instagram. That said, I tried. This pancake is of @calliebaby & @mhorner05 who are getting married on 10/24/15. Congrats guys and thanks so much for donating to @charitywater! Guarantee your wedding and marriage will be better than the pancake :) #hornerup Want a custom pancake for clean water? Click my profile link! #pancakes #pancakeart #pancake
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 14, 2015 at 7:44pm PDT
Over time, the demand has become too great for Phelps to juggle with a family and a full-time job, so he recently raised the donation minimum from $20 to $100. Man, you just never know what requests are gonna be hard. This is my second attempt at an iPhone pancake...still didn't turn out so hot. Those little apps are tough! Thank you @meganq so much for you @charitywater donation! And to @mgsiegler, I hope you like your pancake that looks slightly more like an iPhone than a Blackberry. Want your own custom pancake? Click my profile link! All for an amazing cause: @charitywater #pancakes #pancakeart #nothingiscrazy #pancake #apple #iphone
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 15, 2015 at 5:13pm PDTOct 15, 2015 at 5:13pm PDT
But the requests haven't slowed down. Phelps goes through up to six pounds of Krusteaz buttermilk pancake mix in a week. Is it me you're looking for? Thanks Colin for supporting @charitywater. I know @lionelrichie has to be thrilled about this pancake. 😉 Want a custom pancake? Anything you can dream up. Bring it. Click the link in my profile. #pancakes #pancakeart #pancake #lionelrichie #hello #nothingiscrazy
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 13, 2015 at 5:09pm PDT
"If I can leave at lunch from work and pound a couple pancakes out, I will," Phelps says. "If I can exercise, I make pancakes. After bedtime, once I've read stories with the kids, I make pancakes." We'll miss you, Yogi Berra. A baseball legend. RIP. @yankees @mlb If you'd like a custom @charitywater pancake for clean water, please click the link in my profile. #yogi #yogiberra #ripyogiberra #pancake #pancakeart #pancakes
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 23, 2015 at 4:33pm PDT
Still, the challenge has been worth it. Phelps has raised more than $38,000 for Charity: Water — enough to build three wells somewhere in the world. "you find magic wherever you look. sit back and relax, all you need is a book" - Dr. Suess, The Cat in the Hat Thanks so much to everybody that has donated to my @charitywater Pancakes for Clean Water campaign! We've raised over $38K!! That means over 1,200 people will have access to clean water that never have before. Those lives have been forever changed by your generosity. Thank you! Let's keep it going! The goal is $50K for @charitywater. Fire up your imagination, and I'll fire up my griddle. Click my profile link for your custom pancake! #pancake #pancakeart #pancakes #nothingiscrazy
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 15, 2015 at 12:50pm PDT
"One out of every 11 people on this planet are drinking water out of filthy rivers, lakes, and water holes," Phelps writes on his donation page. "That's unacceptable, and my family wants to do something about it." Minions! Thanks to Derek & Lauren Falconer for donating to @charitywater. The minion is for their son Jude. If you'd like a custom pancake for clean water, please click the link in my profile! #minions #minion #pancakes #pancakeart
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 10, 2015 at 2:13pm PDT
Back at home, Phelps' kids are over the moon about their dad's new hobby — even though he still doesn't let them eat every single one of his pancake creations. Wanna play a game? Let's have some fun w/ this @charitywater pancake. Allie is awesome. She put in a donation and a request. I tried to make her 'cake. I actually tried twice. Neither time did the pancake look like who I intended to look like. So, let's play a game. WHO DO YOU THINK THIS IS? To me it looks like four different people MORE than it looks like who it's supposed to be. It's a bummer too, b/c this took me a long time w/ a ton of detail. Oh well. Who ya got? (The attempt was Vin Scully, donated by @bklyn_dodger) #pancakeart #pancake #pancakes #dodgers #vinscully #baseball #mlb @dodgers
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 9, 2015 at 8:03am PDT
Brady's upped his fundraising goal to $50,000, and plans to continue making pancakes until then. He says he’s excited to have more “dad time” when it’s over. I know. I'm speechless too. Sorry? Padres Jesus takes down Dodgers Jesus! So, after a Dodgers fan donated $100 to @charitywater for Jesus in an LA hat, Jason Kersey donated $500, "I'd like Jesus in an Padres hat beating up Jesus in a Dodgers hat." So here's the most ridiculous request in pancake history. #Padres #dodgers #jesus #pancakeart #pancake #pancakes
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Oct 2, 2015 at 2:20pm PDTOct 2, 2015 at 2:20pm PDT
Head over to Phelps' Instagram to see more of his mesmerizing time-lapse videos. Linda & Bob from Bob's Burgers. Thank you @lynpin_ftw for donating to @charitywater! @bobsburgerslol @tinasreactions @bobsburgers_fanpage @bobsburgersomg @lorenbouchardburger @foxtv If you'd like a custom pancake for clean water, please click the link in my profile! #bobsburgers #bobsburger #pancake #pancakeart #pancakes #fox
A photo posted by Brady Phelps (@thepancakedad) on Sep 22, 2015 at 5:03am PDT
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