Sylvie Baker is a 24-year-old artist dwelling in Bristol who loves portraying horses and canine in paint. Baker works in acrylic and oil, and makes use of brilliant colors and exaggerated kinds to show the character of the animals she has been surrounded by her whole life. Her upcoming exhibition ‘In Sight’ will probably be open to view in Bristol at Package Kind from 31 July, the place these items will probably be obtainable to see in particular person for the primary time.
Do you could have any early recollections of drawing or portray that stand out to you?
From the second I may maintain a pencil, I spent numerous time drawing horses. I bear in mind being identified for drawing horses in major college, and this by no means modified all through my childhood. I’d make pencil portraits of associates’ pets and spent numerous time in my room filling sketchbooks with horses, canine and a few makes an attempt at sketching folks, too.
When did you recognise that making artwork may develop into greater than a private interest?
I feel it was my first fee in my present type, about two years in the past. I used to be simply posting my work on-line as I developed my type and obtained an electronic mail asking about some pet portraits utilizing brilliant backgrounds and incorporating the purple color that I really like to make use of. It made me realise that individuals have been truly seeing my work and favored it.
Though I had accomplished commissions earlier than right here and there, they have been at all times pure toned and actual copies from reference pictures, together with no exploration with brilliant colors. That consumer continued to fee fairly just a few completely different work and I actually felt like I may preserve constructing on my interest with that help. I graduated college with a primary in civil engineering however felt so in opposition to the thought of continuous in that subject — I knew I needed to give artwork my greatest shot.
I even have to say that once I bought my first bigger work, I used to be ecstatic, solely to examine my Instagram DMs and discover that Billie Eilish had messaged me to say she’d simply purchased it. After that occurred, there was no manner I used to be giving up on artwork. It felt like the largest, most unmistakable signal to maintain going.
You appear significantly drawn to horses and canine as topics in your artwork. What makes you interested by capturing their kinds?
Horses and greyhounds are a few of the most swish and highly effective domesticated animals, and they’re so usually exploited for racing. When portray them, I simply need to seize their power and spirited personalities, utterly separated from human intervention. They’re so usually seen as money-making machines when they’re truly so complicated. I attempt to reveal that with exaggerated actions and placing colors in addition to by means of the softer, extra subdued items. Their lengthy legs, necks and heads are so excellent for displaying sweeping motion. I simply love them!
Do your individual experiences with animals affect your work?
My mum has at all times labored with, ridden and owned horses, so it was solely pure that I used to be sitting on a horse by age 3. I’ve by no means been away from horses — even once I moved to Bristol for college, I instantly obtained a job working at a horse sanctuary and at a farm. The identical goes for canine, too. I’ve nearly by no means lived with out them. I really feel like I’ve been finding out animals my complete life. Working carefully with them and being round my mum’s horses and my very own, I couldn’t assist however perceive and really feel related to them. In a extra sensible sense, I learnt the anatomy of animals by means of publicity, and really feel like I preserve constructing on a mannequin of a horse and a greyhound I’ve in my head that I can pose and use as my very own reference, although I’m extra involved concerning the general power of the piece fairly than complete anatomical accuracy.
Your work usually emphasise motion and power. What are you attempting to seize once you paint an animal?
I attempt to exaggerate the actions I’ve seen in actual life so many occasions. I need to make their highly effective nature so apparent to everybody that sees my artwork, utterly unrestricted by people. I’m attempting to seize the distilled feelings which are often far more refined in actual life. I’m simply attempting to extract that and put it on show, forward of all different associations folks could have with the animals.
What are you most trying ahead to forward of your debut exhibition ‘In Sight’?
I’m actually excited to see all of the items come collectively, and the way they work together with one different within the house. Most of all, although, I’m trying ahead to seeing how folks react to them. I’ve solely ever bought or proven my artwork on-line earlier than this second, so I’ve no solution to gauge how they are going to be obtained in particular person. I’m hoping this exhibition can deliver me nearer to the Bristol artwork group and convey folks nearer to those fantastic animals.
Are there any artists whose work has been inspiring you recently?
Romy Elliott is an unimaginable artist who additionally paints predominantly horses and canine. Her type is unfastened however exact and it so precisely portrays snapshots of life with animals — I’m at all times in awe of her items. Loribelle Spirovski has been an inspiration of mine for a very long time, her use of color and the combo of reasonable and summary elements is so fascinating to me. If you happen to haven’t seen her work you’re lacking out!
