Meet Jennifer Baker | Glass Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Baker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In terms of risks, I believe I need to take them to keep pushing myself in terms of my artwork. Glass is such an amazing medium and there are so many things that can be done with it. I am constantly exploring ways to manipulate. Outside of a few basic safety principles, there is no reason not to try something. I never understood why art teachers say “You can’t do that” – I guess I’ve always been the person to not accept that, question and then try it anyway! Creative freedom should not be harnessed. I believe that’s how you learn and really understand your art form and find your voice. There is nothing more rewarding than trying something you’ve never done or seen before in terms of technique and having it turn out exactly or better than you imagined.

I took a big leap to become a full time artist several years ago. I was struggling, like many artists do, with balancing another job and my art career. I came to a point where I had to choose one over the other and jumped wholeheartedly into my artwork. I definitely would not be where I am today without having made that call.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
All of my work is created by manipulating and placing loose pieces of glass- usually onto a sheet of glass which functions as my canvas. I start with an underdrawing that I loosely follow and start placing and layering the bits and pieces until I am satisfied with the composition. I often times will add component fired pieces, or pieces I’ve fired ahead of time, to be added into the composition. This all gets fired in a glass kiln to near 1500 degrees. I then build off this initial firing, layering and adding until I get it just where I want it and re-fire. Pieces are fired multiple times and over several days. I also do sculptural casting work which is a completely different process.

I am proud clients appreciate my expressions in glass. I am thrilled I’ve been able to create a recognizable style people associate with my name. People can see a piece and know that it’s something I created. I am inspired by nature . When I started out on this adventure I wanted to bring the beauty I see every day into my glass work. I wanted to create something I had not seen before in glass. Through a lot of trial and error, persistence and commitment I am able to bring my visions to life.

I am excited that today my work is shipped across the US as well as internationally. I have exhibited in numerous juried shows and am thrilled to have my work on display in a show later this year in Yosemite National Park at the Yosemite Museum. I will also be the featured artist in a solo show at Pine Moon Fine Art, in Steamboat Springs, this August.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Definitely anywhere outside! There are so many incredible trails off the passes, Flattops, Spring Creek and Emerald. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful river valley right outside and a mountain at our doorsteps. In summer I enjoy taking company to stroll through the Farmer’s Market and then hitting brunch at Creekside, as well as visiting the galleries and cruising through the Botanical Gardens. Going paddle-boarding at Stagecoach or Steamboat Lake is always fun. Honestly, though, the simple things like a bike ride or picnic and just enjoying the surroundings are usually enough to impress my friends.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my amazing family for all the support and encouragement during this crazy ride and all the incredible artists I have a chance to work with at my main gallery, Pine Moon Fine Art, as well as Roger Thomas, a master glass artist I had good fortune to work with, medium pusher extraordinare, who was taken too soon.

Website: www.jenniferbakerglassart.com

Instagram: jenniferbakerglassart

Facebook: Jennifer Baker Glass Art

Image Credits
Tim Murphy Photography- Gentle Raindrops Series and Dancing Paintbrush images