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March/April 2010 Cover Artist
Art and the Circle of Life

by Marcy Baker

I live in a vibrant southeast Portland neighborhood filled with early 1900s architecture, diverse foliage and funky gardens. Dense layers of urban and natural structures are inspiring and ever-changing.

I begin each new series by observing and drawing the plants in my backyard garden through the constant cycle of growth, decay and renewal. Seed pods, petals and leaves are collected on neighborhood walks and carried back to the studio, where they provide much inspiration.

My process involves creating tools such as stencils and print blocks, used to develop shape and texture while building many layers of paint or ink. I also collage various paper among the layers. The appeal of collage is finding that perfect drawing, relief print or etching that relates, in some subtle and unexpected way, to the imagery in the painting or monotype. I also draw into the surface of the work with charcoal and graphite. I like the juxtaposition of random, intuitive mark-making with the orderly repeat patterns created by stencils and printing blocks.

I am captivated by the delicate balance of urban and botanical forms and by the contrast of lush green foliage against a muted gray sky. With each new body of work, I set out to interpret and express these abundant surroundings.

Marcy Baker, whose painting “Shade” is on the cover of New Connexion, has a show at Print Arts Northwest Gallery on the PCC Rock Creek Campus through March 15. She also teaches two printmaking classes at Multnomah Arts Center. Baker’s paintings and monotypes are represented by Mary Lou Zeek Gallery in Salem, RiverSea Gallery in Astoria and Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery. Visit www.marcybaker.com.