Chris Baker at The Gallery of CNY
Chris Baker’s work has always been the favorite of the artists as he clearly has mastered the technical use of gouache medium. Recently many collectors are beginning to notice his work noting his ability to capture the light, ambience and detail of CNY scenes from his unique perspective. They are also taking note of his interiors.
Please contact The Gallery for more artwork available by the artist. Read more about Chris Baker below.
American realism using gouache medium by artist Chris Baker represented by The Gallery of CNY
Artist’s Statement: Beauty/art is everywhere, needing only a discerning eye as the aid to discovery! What fascinates me are objects and scenes that are typically overlooked. Often an object reflecting light from the dark shadows of a tree, or window are all that is needed to elevate a scene from common to extraordinary. Images that are repeatedly painted and understood as “beautiful”, for me frequently loose their power. Therefore,I seek out the commonplace and, through painting, attempt to elevate it. My “window” offers a glimpse of everyday reality in a quickly changing world.
My choice of medium is an opaque watercolor medium known as “gouache”. Similar in character to watercolor, it can be used in either transparent or opaque painting techniques. As gouache is the more “brawny” version of watercolor, the medium encourages more daring and perhaps careless handling, with the understanding that “mistakes” (both useful and otherwise)can be either kept or covered.
Artist Biography: Originally from Western New York, Christopher Baker presently resides in Weedsport, New York with his wife Barbara. Studying fine arts at Rochester Institute of Technology, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1968, and upon graduation, began teaching in Auburn, NY. Following two years in Auburn, he served in the Armed Forces during the war in Viet Nam. Upon his return from South East Asia, he continued Graduate Work at R.I.T., completing his Master’s degree in Fine Arts. As teaching afforded him the opportunity to share in two of his passions (working with children while allowing time to paint), he continued as an art teacher in the Cato-Meridian School District, and has maintained the position for the past 35 years.
Mr. Baker has exhibited extensively the past 30 years in Central New York. Presently, he is represented by several galleries: The Gallery, Cazenovia, NY, The Oxford Gallery, Rochester, NY, West End Gallery, Corning, NY and The Grove in Aurora, NY. In addition, Baker has shown numerous times in the prestigious National Exhibition of American Watercolors in Old Forge, NY. As his work focuses on the distinctiveness of Central New York, he has received several awards from the National Exhibit, and by request, has sat on the podium to discuss the exhibition with other honored artists.
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