Tour de France

Decker’s Wine & Art by Chris Baker

A collaboration of wine & art for the connoisseur in you...   Decker’s Wine & Spirits & The Gallery of CNY

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for more artwork

by Chris Baker

at The Gallery of CNY

Decker’s Wine & Spirits:  If you haven't already heard about Dana Decker of Decker's Wine & Spirits; he is known for his select wines from around the world.  He has a following of wine connoisseurs who trust him to find unique & affordable wines. Recently, he expanded his space to include a new wine tasting room for special group events.  And we are fortunate to be included in this venture.  This Saturday, find wines of France at the store and a showing of artwork by The Gallery of CNY's Chris Baker from a recent trip to France.  Decker’s Wine & Spirits is located in Limestone Plaza, the Historic Business District of Fayetteville.  112 Brooklea Drive, Fayetteville, NY 13066, Phone: (315) 637-1504, www.deckerswineandspirits.biz

Artwork by Chris Baker of France  “Following a recent trip to France, I felt an urge to somehow “extend” my visit.  These paintings are a result of that impulse.  It seems that any new environment is so filled with visual stimulation that, as tourists, we often take snapshots as a means of “stopping time” so that we can further examine a single event or place.  For me, drawing and painting has been a necessary procedure for capturing the character or essence of a scene.  Through various images, I have tried to begin to grasp the nature of the French countryside and cities, rertaining not only the vision, but the feelings of serenity and excitement.”   - Chris Baker

More about Chris Baker and his work at 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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This is sneak peek of artwork by Chris Baker that will be on view at Decker’s Wines & Spirits. 15 paintings from the artist’s trip to France will be available for purchase though May 29, 2010.