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Sally Baker
Artist's Statement
I am a watercolor artist in Sebastopol, California. I live with my husband Neil. Our son Keith has left Los Angeles and moved back to Sonoma County. Originally from Los Angeles, I received my B.A. from the University of California at Santa Barbara and my teaching credential from the University of Southern California. I have been teaching fine arts for the last thirty-four years and recently retired after twenty years at Healdsburg High School. Artist’s statements, like their art, evolve over time. So it is with me. As I reflect on my work, I inevitably come to certain conclusions. My early work spoke of my affinity with the high desert. I felt passionate about adobe structures. I was fascinated with the intensity of the soft desert colors. I was also drawn to the intense shadows cast because of the special light quality of the desert atmosphere. Although my work continues to focus on strong shadow shapes, I would have to say that my love of color has dominated my more current work. I love to use very saturated pigments while still allowing the light of the paper to shine through.
My travels over the years have profoundly influenced my choices of subject matter. I have explored themes that include Asian and Italian pottery as well as fabrics from Japan and Hawaii. I am probably best known for my still life series that focuses on Asian artifacts, kimonos and bamboo. I have always been drawn to the Asian aesthetic and it seems to suit my style. I would describe my work as sharp focused with emphasis on strong shadow shapes that create a specific moment in time. The use of luscious colors is integral to my work. I feel that I am choosing and “rescuing moments” that otherwise would never be seen again. It is my hope that the viewer will be engaged, visually enter the picture, slow down, explore and visit for a while.
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| © Sally Baker 2002-2004 |
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