Meet Chellis Baird

We were lucky to catch up with Chellis Baird recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chellis, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

As an avid dancer I like to compare facets of the self to building new muscles. Lack of self-confidence is common in all of us. We each accommodate in unique ways and can overcome this through building new thought patterns or experiences. My early school years were a struggle due to my dyslexia,which unfortunately affected my self-confidence and self-esteem. However, as I matured and identified my gifts and talent in art, I was able to push beyond these layers and grow from my strengths. Surrounding myself with peers and mentors who offered perspective and experience helped me look beyond myself. I still use my dance practice as a way to shed old insecurities or refine new strengths during turbulent times.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I inspire through my art practice. My contemporary paintings and sculptures are created through a unique process. Building on my textile studies at RISD and years of fashion experience, I weave and sculpt my own language with the materials of a painting. Utilizing elements such as fabric, paint, wood, and human instinct, I create abstract gestures that transcend individual perspectives and time. These gestures, like shadows, rhythms, or memories in life, linger and create muscle memory. Intentionally carving dimension and texture into the composition serves to awaken and remind the viewer of the tactile in contrast to our prevalent digital existence. I am delighted to announce that I will have two works included in Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol at the Nassau County Art Museum, on view from July 20, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Additionally, this September I will be part of a four- person female exhibition with t Slag & RX Galleries, the gallery that represents me.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Social intelligence, thoughtfulness, and risk taking.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

Nurtured my strengths. They saw at an early age my dedication to spending hours making and creating. This natural interest and time commitment was nurtured through art classes and camps. My parents would take me to museums, galleries, and allow me extra time to absorb these spaces.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chellisbaird.com
• Instagram: @chellisbaird
• Facebook: Chellis Stoddard Baird
• Linkedin: Chellis (Stoddard) Baird
• Youtube: Chellis Baird

Image Credits

Images courtesy of the artist and Slag & RX Galleries.