Artist Steve Baker, born in Wales and raised in Australia, has carved out a remarkable career through his surrealist and naïve art styles. His works are a reflection of both his early influences and his unique experiences, as well as his deep love for creativity. Artist Steve Baker has built a legacy of vibrant, thought-provoking paintings that continue to captivate viewers with their emotional depth and imaginative narratives. His art reflects a lifelong passion for expressing ideas that defy conventional rules while embracing the playful and the profound.
Early Life and Artistic Dream
Steve Baker emigrated to Australia with his parents at the age of two. His early life was marked by a strong passion for art, which became the central dream he would pursue. As a young schoolboy, Artist Steve Baker was already determined to follow his artistic inclinations, although the 1960s culture did not view art as a practical career path. This societal constraint, however, did not deter him from continuing to nurture his love for creating.
At sixteen, Steve left school and started working in a shoe factory to support himself. Every spare cent he earned was dedicated to buying art supplies, though these were not the high-quality tools we can access today. Instead, Artist Steve Baker would head to a local travel goods store, where a small stand of art supplies helped sustain his creative ambitions. Through sheer determination and passion, Steve continued painting, setting the stage for a life dedicated to art.
Influences and Creative Evolution
Steve Baker was strongly influenced by the works of surrealist painter Salvador Dalí and the renowned Australian artist Jeffrey Smart. These two vastly different yet complementary influences shaped the Artist’s early style. Salvador Dalí’s dreamlike landscapes, melting clocks and other surreal imagery fascinated Steve and inspired him to explore similar realms in his art. His early paintings reflected surrealist themes, often challenging perceptions of reality by combining fantastical elements with vivid detail.
On the other hand, Jeffrey Smart influenced Steve’s approach to colour and composition. Though Smart focused more on structured urban landscapes, Steve drew from his use of clean lines and bold hues, combining them with the free-flowing forms of surrealism. This mixture of influences resulted in a unique visual language that has become a defining characteristic of Artist Steve Baker’s work.
Surrealism: An Escape from Normality
For Steve Baker, surrealism became more than just an art form; it was a way to escape the rigid confines of everyday life. His surrealist works create alternate realities where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. These paintings depict figures, landscapes, and objects in dreamlike or fantastical settings. By bending the rules of logic, Artist Steve Baker invites his audience to question reality and engage with their imaginations.
One of his earliest surrealist works, cherished by his late mother, Florence Edna May Baker, holds a special place in his heart. His mother was his biggest supporter, always believing in his vision as an artist, even when his father did not share the same enthusiasm for the art world. When Florence passed away, Steve reacquired the painting she had kept for years, symbolising the deep connection between family and art in his life.
Naïve Art: A New Approach
As Artist Steve Baker aged, his eyesight began deteriorating due to macular degeneration. This visual impairment made it difficult for him to continue with the detailed, intricate style he had developed through surrealism. However, rather than giving up, Steve embraced a new, freer style: naïve art. Naïve art, known for its simplicity and childlike qualities, allowed Steve to continue creating, even as his vision became more limited.
Naïve art, as practised by Steve, is a bold departure from the strictures of realism. It is characterised by broad, sweeping brushstrokes and a focus on primary colours, with less attention paid to detailed form. Artist Steve Baker found freedom in this style, turning what could have been a hindrance into an opportunity for creative growth. His works from this period are playful and expressive, giving viewers insight into his evolving perspective on life and art.
A Family Legacy in Art
Art is not only Steve Baker’s passion but also a family affair. Two of his daughters, Nicole and Jessica, have followed in his footsteps, carving out their successful careers as artists. While different from Steve’s surrealist and naïve art, their artworks share the same spirit of innovation and passion. Over the years, the family has embraced collaborative art projects, combining their diverse artistic approaches into singular pieces that reflect the harmony of their creative lives.
For Artist Steve Baker, watching his daughters thrive in art is a source of immense pride. These collaborative works remind him of the early days when his children would join him in his studio, painting together and experimenting with different techniques. Art has always been a central part of the Baker family’s life, from when Steve’s children were young, stealing his supplies to create their masterpieces.
Challenges and Resilience
In recent years, Steve Baker has faced a significant challenge: macular degeneration, a condition that has dramatically impacted his eyesight. This progressive loss of vision initially left him feeling unmotivated to continue painting. However, through resilience and adaptation, Artist Steve Baker found a way to continue expressing himself, transitioning to a looser, more abstract style that aligns with his visual limitations.
Today, Steve’s art explores how he sees the world through his deteriorating vision. His canvases are filled with rapid, gestural strokes that give insight into his perception of colour and form. What once were detailed, finely rendered pieces have transformed into expressive, spontaneous works that capture the fleeting moments of light and shape he experiences. His new approach to painting is not just an adaptation but a testament to his enduring commitment to his craft.
The Artist’s Community and Legacy
Artist Steve Baker has surrounded himself with a community of musicians, artists, and like-minded creative individuals. The camaraderie and collaboration with fellow artists have been vital to his ongoing creative growth. Even in his later years, as his style and vision have shifted, Steve remains deeply connected to his artistic roots.
Steve Baker’s legacy lives on through his works and the art of his daughters. His influence has shaped those around him. Over the years, Steve’s family has worked to reacquire his earlier paintings. They aim to preserve these important pieces for future generations. Many of these works now hang in the family home, re-framed and cherished as part of the Baker heritage.
Conclusion: The Continuing Journey of Artist Steve Baker
Artist Steve Baker’s journey through surrealism and naïve art has been defined by passion, resilience, and innovation. From his early influences by Salvador Dalí and Jeffrey Smart to his later transition into naïve art due to vision loss, Steve’s work remains a powerful expression of his creative spirit. Artist Steve Baker’s legacy continues to inspire his family and the broader artistic community in Australia and beyond.
Steve Baker continues to create, despite the challenges he faces. His art is a powerful testament to imagination and adaptability. Each painting reveals a world where reality and fantasy blur together. His work transforms limitations into new creative possibilities. The love of art remains central to everything Artist Steve Baker does.
ARTIST Steve Baker – COMMISSIONS
For more information or to schedule a studio visit, contact art director Jessica Vince: 📞 0403 532 139 ✉️ [email protected]
