Kay Baker
Kay will be showing her work at Sisters Gallery & Frame, 222 West Hood Ave, Sisters, OR 97759 .
Kay is well known in Central Oregon, but doesn't limit her plein air and studio painting to just the High Desert. She also travels throughout the country capturing the essence of the area. She was challenged years ago by noted artist Bill Herring to look into the "horses of her soul"; that is, to see what really motivates her and what she really wants to convey to those that view her work.
Kay works in oils and pastels and occasionally gets out her watercolors. She has a bachelor of fine arts degree and is a juried member of Oil Painters of America. She also belongs to the Plein Air Painters of Oregon. Her paintings are in public and private collections throughout the United States.
She says, “Ever since I can remember I have loved to draw and paint. Today my favorite way to paint is en plein air; painting on location. There is something about being outdoors that brings joy to my spirit. I can connect with the scenery, the fresh air, and the light.”
Kay takes several things into consideration when choosing a subject. Sometimes it is the light and shadow and reflections on a subject; other times it might be the colors. Because the light changes so quickly, her paintings are generally small, and sometimes used as studies for larger studio paintings.
Click on images for larger views
Kay paints in an impressionistic style, exaggerating the color and leaving out some of what she sees in order to establish a pleasing composition. “I want the viewer to experience what I feel as I am painting,” she says.
After living in Bend for 20 years, Kay and her husband, Gordon, moved to Prescott, Arizona in 2016. They painted, became members of the local plein-air guild, and did everything right – but decided to move back to Bend in 2018. “It feels really great to be back in Bend. Prescott was great, and I’m glad we lived there. We learned a lot about Arizona and its rich history, and overcame the challenge of painting the desert and rocks in Sedona.”
Kay’s work was recently featured in a show at Sisters Library. Kay and her husband Gordon are once again showing their work at Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop, where they were represented before moving to Arizona.
To learn more about Kay, her work, and upcoming events, we encourage you to visit her website.
Kay will be at Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop:
222 West Hood Avenue, Sisters Oregon 97759