The Associated Press

The canvas is white chocolate. The paint is a mixture of food coloring and vodka. It's called chocolate art.

The works are by Jean Wertz, a third-generation candy maker from Lebanon, Pa.

"Here I'd been dipping chocolates for 17 years as a `day job' and going home at night to do oil paintings," she says. "It never occurred to me to put the two together."

The Toledo Museum of Art commissioned 10 of her chocolate artworks. Three have been sold since the paintings went on display last week. Prices range from $200 to $1,400.

Most of her paintings portray waterlilies, landscapes or dancing ladies in long robes in the Impressionist style, with bold strokes of color.

"When the painting is finished, I coat it with confectioners' glaze, as a sort of varnish. If you take care of it, it will last for years," she said.

A card that comes with each painting warns that the art isn't meant for eating.

"I tell people to buy a box of chocolates along with every painting, so when the scent of chocolate fills the house, they won't be tempted to eat their Matisse," Ms. Wertz said. "Still, it happens."