We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Payne Baker | Art For Every Palette recently and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa Payne Baker |, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Through my art, I love to celebrate the beauty around us, layer by layer, unfolding life through color and texture onto my canvas. I have always been a creative person, passionate about everything from art to interior design. Different mediums, including acrylic and oil, allow me to express my vision in my abstract work. My art is an expression of my experiences, emotions, inspirations and stories I choose to tell. I strive to convey the sense of calmness through the complexities of life but I have to be in the perfect mind frame to create. These emotions, I paint from my heart and I hope my collectors feel each time they view my work. To keep my creativity alive I have to unplug completely from my studio. Sometimes unplugging for days to weeks. During this time I do something creative around my house and with my son. I love to travel to clear my mind and I add in self care anyway that I can which includes listening to podcasts, bubble baths, researching interiors/art and taking longer runs.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Always being a creative person and passionate about everything from art to interior design, I focus on creating art that when my collectors view my work they find a sense of calm. Different mediums, including acrylic and oil, allow me to express my vision in my abstract work.
My passion for art began early in life, learning from generations of artisans while surrounded by nature in Mississippi. From a Marketing degree from University of Mississippi to a career in interior design, I now spend my days in my Atlanta studio with my cat Gesso. If not painting, I am chasing my young son, Payne, who keeps her creativity in full bloom. After a twenty year career in interior design, I still like to design for clients. I also hang wallpaper which inspires me with all of the beautiful designs out there.
My art has been represented by Huff Harrington Fine Art in Atlanta, Georgia, Grand Bohemian Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama, Providence Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee, Grace Gallery in Dallas, Texas, Market Place Interiors in Tampa, Florida, First Fruit Interiors in Collierville, Tennessee and many other fine art galleries and interior firms around the Southeast.
My art has been published in Traditional Homes, House Beautiful, Southern Home, Southern Lady, Cottage Journal, Good Grit, The Atlantan, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, VIE, At Home Midsouth to Nashville Arts. My art has been featured in designer show houses across the Southeast including the The Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Show House, the Southeastern Designer Show House and Serenbe Designer Home.
My art has provided funds to fundraising events including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation raising $100,000 in their live auctions, Children’s HeathCare of Atlanta, the American Heart Association, The Comprehensive Cancer Center in Birmingham at ArtBlink and more.
It has been fun to collaborate with companies and other artists like Stacy Milburn Studio Fine Art Mirrors, Chloe Kristyn Clothing, Jackson Rose Candle Company, Zagslife, MB Greene Bags and Suthingirl Collection.
Art For Every Palette was created when I discovered the need for some smaller artsy pieces that are a great fit for every palette and budget. It was quickly Named by StyleBlueprint, “10 Southern Brands You Should Know About”. My most popular product, hand painted glassware, has been sold at Saks Fifth Avenue Atlanta, Neiman Marcus Atlanta Holiday Pop-Up, Trinity Spotlight on Art and are available in fine boutiques around the Southeast including custom color palette’s at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Galleries and Cindy Ensor Designs in Atlanta.
My art career quickly became a full time business in 2006 but I never lose focus on what is really important, creating art that touches the heart of the viewer. You could say that I have mastered my art but I am always growing and would say that it is just the beginning, the best is yet to come.
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?
When I was 14 years old, my mothers friend needed an assistant to help her hang wallpaper. Working with her for a few years and seeing all of the beautiful homes sparked my passion for interior design. After going off to college I started my own wallpaper hanging company. After college, I moved to Atlanta and worked with an interior design company for ten years. During those years I learned a huge amount of skills and knowledge in the interior design industry. My best advice for people just starting out is to learn everything you can about what you are passionate about. Make sure that you surround yourself with the successful people in the industry to learn from. Always follow your heart and work hard!
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Big Magic is a #1 New Work Times bestseller. This book will make you want to run to your passions and create like never before. This book inspires you to be brave, to be free and to be curious about life and your creative career.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melissapaynebaker.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissapaynebakerart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissapaynebakerart/
Image Credits
Aharon Hill Photography Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Huff Harrington Fine Art
