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Monday, January 17, 2011

Arts in Atlanta: Melissa Payne Baker

Melissa Payne Baker colorful landscape

What emotions drive the creation of your art?
All emotions, I can be in any mood and I always come away from my studio happy.

What experiences led you to become an artist? When did you make the decision to be an artist?
I come from a family of artist so I grew up always creating. Two of my girlfriends and I started art night over ten years ago and it has grown to over 15 girls. One of the original art night girls who was my best friend was killed in a car accident seven years ago. She always wanted me to sell my work so I took that first step and put a painting in a Christ the King school auction, it was in a bidding war that evening and sold, the next day I got an order for another one...it just blew up from there.

Is your art goal-oriented?
I just start painting and I go wherever the painting takes me.

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about friends, love, art, design and happiness.

How would you describe yourself?
I am a very busy person, I might look calm on the outside but my mind is going in a million directions. I am very detailed and organized. I never rest.

Melissa portrait

What artistic challenges do you face?
Finding my next technique or design, trying too hard to make it perfect.

Melissa Payne Baker abstract

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned as an artist?
Not to try so hard, just let it flow.

What’s your proudest artistic achievement?
I am proud of the beautiful galleries I am in, being Atlanta's best emerging artist last year.

What artists have influenced you most and why?
Steve Penley, I love his use of color and texture.

Melissa Payne Baker

What’s been your best decision?
My best decision was to just jump into being a professional artist, best thing I have ever done.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet?
I always say..I would love to have lunch with Gwyneth Paltrow or Grace Kelly. Both women are the picture of class.

What are you currently reading or listening to?
I am into Jack Johnson; his music is very fun in the studio.

Who would you like to trade places with for one day?
The three year old I keep, Mac. I would love to view the world like a child again.

Melissa Payne Baker Forever

What dream do you still want to fulfil?
So many! One that comes to mind is to have my art in Traditional Homes or Veranda or, hey, Town and Country would be nice too!

What subject would you like to portray in your art that you have not yet attempted?
A mushroom, only because I took a picture of a beautiful orange one at a friend's lake. It didn't look real. It was amazing.

Thank you, Melissa.

Melissa teaches palette knife classes and is represented in a number of galleries throughout the southeast. You can meet her in person this Friday night to enjoy wine, snacks, and a blue grass band, with several other new artists, at Huff Harrington Fine Art's Grand Affair where all paintings will all be priced under $1000.



for Three Muses' Artist of Choice and Crazy Amigos

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous paintings. Wish I lived in the area, I'd definitely come to this show.

roc said...

what beautiful artwork! wow. my mom used to paint with oils and only a palette knife. i admire people who can do that. it's much harder than it seems.

Carole Reid said...

Thanks Kathy for posting this interview. I really enjoy reading about other artists and what they are up to. Beautiful paintings Melissa!

Anonymous said...

Loved to read the story and your artwork is fabulous!

Marit said...

I love to get to 'know' you Melissa... thanks Kathy for the interview! Beautiful art - especially the red behind Melissa on the picture. stunning!

peggy gatto said...

I truly love these paintings!!!
So much to see, lovely color palette!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is a very nice website and it is very inspiring.
-De'Jaun Lillie

Ozstuff said...

Melissa's story is an inspiring one. Her art is wonderful. As with yours, Kathy, it would be really something to see and feel the textures which tend to flatten out in a photograph. Sadly, as I live 12,000 miles away on the other side of the world. that's not going to happen but I can dream.

Anonymous said...

Your art is so honest and vibrant--life jumping off the canvas!

Kim Mailhot said...

Okay, music from Serendipity is playing on the playlist as I write this, which is kind of blowing my mind even more - I saw pieces of Melissa's work in a little shop in Grafton, FLA just last week with my friend Beth and we both fell in love with her incredible angels. I couldn't afford the price tag but Beth was going to go back with her hubby this weekend and show him the pieces that moved her so much.
Seeing her work here made me feel so connected...I want to meet you in person, Kathy, since I already know you by heart.I am putting this on my wish list !
Thanks for the inspiration today.
Hugs !

"MOI" Freubel said...

Your post has brought a huge smile on my face Kathy !
I DO LOVE this abstract and grungy paintings from Melissa.
What a blessing when you have so much talent !!
Her work reminds me of a Belgium artist but I gosh...I forgot who he was !!
When I remember his name I will add the link overhere because I think you will inspired by him to.

Thank you for sharing !

indybev said...

Thank you, Kathy, for introducing us to Melissa and her remarkable works with palette knife. I, too, would love to see them "up close and personal"!

Kat W said...

Interesting interview with lots of great answers. I enjoy discovering how other creative people work. I love that advises "Not to try so hard, just let it flow." I think that this & trying not to get it perfect is good advice. I am trying to follow this principle. Trying!Lol.

Kat :-)

PS discovered your lovely blog via the Inspiration Avenue weekly challenge.

Melissa Payne Baker said...

Thank you so much everyone for your lovely comments, my heart and soul are smiling! You remind me that I am on the perfect path. Liz, you wrote that my art is honest and vibrant, thank you and I hope that everyone sees that in me and my work.
Happy Painting to all!

Lori Saul said...

Beautiful art expressions in these paintings full of color, pattern and imagination. They lead the eye all across the canvas to explore!

Jester said...

Amazing art - thanks for sharing. I particularly like the first painting, I think it's the colours.

Glenys said...

Thanks for showing this inspiring artists work...like Marie, I to am 12000 miles form being able to have some time with her...one day!!
fabulous work.
glenys

Unknown said...

I love getting a peek into other artists styles and approaches.

great interview and I love Melissa's work

x..x

beth said...

i love your work and saw some of it in grayton beach....your talent amazes me !

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