Spotlight On... Madison Baker

9/18/2020

When friendly rivalry sparks a passion

Welcome to Spotlight On!
Each week we feature a new interview from a Mississippi Artist living and working in our state today.

This week we have Photo-realist Madison Baker who gives us the breakdown about realism in MS, perfectionism and how a little envy can spark a passion.

Make sure to check out Madison's Instagram @backwardartistry

Q. What part of Mississippi do you live or work in?
I live in a town called Jericho about 30 minutes away from Tupelo where I work and sell my artwork.

picture via Instagram @backwardartistry

Q. Tell us about your background in Art.
It’s funny actually, I first became interested in art when a friend of mine in kindergarten drew this cat that was way better than mine was! I didn’t even really draw at the time, yet I felt incredibly jealous that she was able to do that and I wasn’t. So as silly as it sounds I guess I’ve just been trying to prove myself ever since.

Q. What Mediums do you work in?
With my photorealistic work I usually use charcoal, graphite, and white ink on gray toned paper. With my paintings I just use acrylic paint on canvas.

Q. What are you reading right now?
Currently I’m reading The heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh and The Complete Essays by Michel de Montaigne

picture via Instagram @backwardartistry

Q. What have you been listening to lately?
I recently began listening to a mix of some metal and smooth jazz actually. Music is pretty vital to me when creating art so it’s important that I listen to the right stuff

picture via Instagram @backwardartistry

Q. How would you say you navigate through Mississippi's Art scene?
I feel like photorealism and hyperrealism aren’t as well known or appreciated here in the south as much as they are in other places. When I go to festivals and what not it’s hard sometimes to relate to other artists because photorealism is really a genre that’s some what separate from all of the other art genres. It’s really in a world of its own as far as technicality and creativity go in my opinion. So I haven’t really met many other artists that are interested in what I am but perhaps I need to get out more and meet those that are out there haha.

Q. What makes you do what you do?
I’ve always been a perfectionist and I love it when things just flow and make sense. It gives me this accomplished warm feeling on the inside. When I’m working on a drawing or painting it feels like that constantly. Then at the end you’ve captured this mood and this moment that a camera smooths over. There’s something about a drawing that breaks down the subject and shows it to the world in all of its bare glory.

Q. What jobs have you held other than being an Artist?
For a short amount of time I was a tattoo apprentice. The workplace didn’t really do a wonderful job of really motivating anyone to create which included me so it wasn’t that great.

Q. Have any of your past job experiences helped you in being an Artist today?
After I left my job as an apprentice, there was actually a period of about 10 months where I didn’t go anywhere near a pencil or paintbrush. One of the guys I worked with always bullied me for not being able to paint, I had always hated painting anyway so it didn’t really bother me too much......until it did. Then I couldn’t stand to think about him being able to paint and me not being able to. This encouraged me to get back out there and when I did I forced myself to learn how to paint. Now I sell my paintings in downtown Tupelo and love creating them.

Q. What makes you angry?
It takes quite a lot for me to get genuinely angry. I’m always working to see the whole perspective so it’s easy for me to be understanding most of the time. I guess the quickest way to get me there would be the mistreatment of innocent people and animals.

Q. What couldn't you live without?
I couldn’t live without my chinchilla Kenny, he’s my art pal and likes to steal my blending stumps when I’m not looking!

Q. Describe your work space to us.
Incredibly organized and clean. I could tell you where everything is right now without even being there.

Q. How do you know when something you have been working on is finished?
I just get this feeling of completion. Like my mind knows when it’s complete. It’s hard to explain but that’s the best way I know how.

Q. How much time does it take you to complete a project?
It depends on what it is but never less than 8 hours and not usually more than 25 or 30

Q. Do you have any habits that help your creative process?
Listening to the right music that fits the mood of how I’m feeling that day really helps me to zone out and focus on my work.

Q. Why do you think Art is important?
Art is in everything and it’s everywhere. For lack of a better phrase life would just suck without it!

Q. What's your favorite color?
Pink. I love everything that’s pink. I’m not even sure why it just has this attitude about it I guess that attracts me to it. It’s just such a happy color.

Q. How would you like to be remembered?
I’d like to be remembered as a balanced person. Not too this or that, always understanding but willing to stick up for what’s right. I think balance is important throughout every area of life.

Q. Tell us something about yourself that everyone should know.
I really wish I were more creative. My mind won’t let me stray very far from the restraints of logic and reason. If it doesn’t make sense then it’s wrong. I guess it’s just how my mind categorizes things! I’m sure it could be worked on but I’ll save that for another day.

Q. Do you ever feel like you have to censor your work or ideas?
Even though as an artist I shouldn’t really have to I do avoid posting some of my work for fear of offending some of my audience. I try to keep it as respectful as possible when I can.

Q. Who is the most creative person you have ever known?
There’s a guy that I met at the gumtree festival a few years ago that I think is creativity itself. His name is Joseph MacGown and he creates a lot of trippy colorful creatures that I think are pretty cool. He seems to not have as many restraints as I do when it comes to art.

Q. How do you deal with creative block?
I usually take work that I haven’t finished and try to work on that to get my mind warmed up to the idea of creating. It’s hit or miss on whether or not it works.

Q. If you were no longer able to use the mediums you do now, what would you turn to? Watercolor for sure, I’d actually like to perhaps practice it soon. I’ve always wanted to paint landscapes with it, particularly big, fluffy, summertime clouds.

Q. Are there any other channels you use to express your creativity?
Sometimes I like to write and play the piano. It’s nice to have other artistic escapes!

Make sure to follow @backwardartistry on Instagram to see all of Madison's latest work, and check out @farmhousetupelo for purchasing!

See ya'll next Friday!

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