Welcome to the first interview of 2024 where I invite our viewers to learn more about dive into speaking with various individuals within the arts. Late in 2023, I was introduced to Sydni Ann Baker an artist whose art demands attention influenced by her life experiences and self-motivation. Approaching her canvas, she allows the viewer to embody her raw emotion through the display of motifs and breath-like brush strokes. Her first solo show opening at Nomad Works 1216 Broadway location on February 8th, 2024 curated by Tobe Roberts.
Can you share the story of how you discovered your passion for painting back in Kindergarten and how it has evolved over the years?
Sydni Ann Baker: I remember we were doing different kinds of painting styles relating to each artist. Looking back I am confused as to how this was a subject for Kindergartners to learn. On the other hand I did go to a school for gifted kids. I remember we did Georgia O’Keefe as well and we had to paint a sunflower.
I discovered my passion for painting more specifically when we had to lie on our backs, tape our paper to the underside of the desk and paint. We were learning about Michelangelo and how he painted the sistine chapel.
I remember laying on my back and painting very abstractly. The colors were yellow, blue, and red. It was at that moment I felt pure joy in my body. That moment was over 20 years ago but I still remember that feeling I got. It was in that moment I felt exhilarating peace and I felt happy.
Looking back, my art has never changed. Even though sometimes I secretly wish it would. But it has always been abstract. I am an abstract painter and I feel that a part of the journey of being an abstract painter is to accept it. Voices in my head tell me that abstract art is not valid as figurative art is. I have to ignore these thoughts. I would say that’s how I evolved. It took me a long time to get here. Because of not taking painting seriously I have had no schooling in art. But I fully believe in myself now.
Your artistic journey seems to have been influenced by a challenging childhood. How has painting served as a form of escapism and healing for you during those difficult times?
Sydni Ann Baker: It started with my psych ward visits. Being in the psych ward in high school and also in my early twenties very frequently was tough. They kept changing my medication and I kept having breakdowns. In the psych ward, you can’t have any phones. It leaves you a lot of time to think. There were also crayons and paper there and I remember just sitting there and drawing.
Letting my anger go of why I can’t get my mental illness straightened out. With those crayons in the psych ward – I escaped. It was so healing to be able to create even though I was at the lowest point of my life. In terms of my home life, I was in so much pain and trauma that I rarely painted.
I remember once in high school I completely painted my walls with different characters and it was an escape, it was freeing. Then my mom came into the room, saw my paintings and she said it looked like garbage. My heart was shattered. I didn’t paint again for a long time after that.
Experiencing periods of homelessness is undoubtedly a tough challenge. How did those experiences shape your art, and what kept you motivated to continue creating during such difficult circumstances?
Being homeless was tough. But it was a great opportunity to understand my true grit and preserve it through. During my time of homelessness in New York City I did not paint at all. I couldn’t afford the painting materials. The second time around in Los Angeles I had painting materials. It was so much fun. I would paint on the Malibu pier and set up my easel. Watching the surfers and the water move. That kept me sane. People would pass by my easel and I would talk to them. It was overall a very calming experience. I just knew that good things were coming my way. It helped me to keep my head held high and keep painting. Always good things are coming my way – I can feel it. My artwork during this time I believe was profound. “Where were you when I needed you” are words that I put on a wooden canvas with oil. I was screaming to the universe to help me. I experimented with oil during this time since oil was the only medium I had in my car, in my possession.
Moving from homelessness to a stable living situation in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, is a significant transition. How has your environment influenced your artistic process and the themes in your artwork?
My artwork has become much happier and even more abstract! It’s as tough I leaned in and began to really create because I am now stable. My brain is quiet and I can think. Living on Skid Row there was just noise. Noise at every time of the day and night. The neighborhood I live in now is so nice. It’s so quiet and peaceful. This morning I was able to wake up early in the morning and just paint and watch the sun rise. I continue to put motivational sayings over my artwork because I feel now I am completely living a great reality and I want others to do the same. My theme now is a new awakening and onto bigger and better things. Keep going, or if good things happened once they will happen again very soon is one of the sayings that I use.
Living with your cat, Prince George, must bring a unique dynamic to your creative space. Can you share how your furry companion plays a role in your daily life and artistic inspiration?
I got Prince George off of Craigslist. I had to meet the previous owner in the parking lot. When I got him, he was only a small baby. It’s been a year and a half of having him now and he has been with me through everything. He was there with me while I was in the car homeless, he has been with me when I was living nicely in my previous apartment before becoming homeless. And he is with me now. He’s never left my side and it makes me happy. He is really my companion. He has also become sort of an emotional support animal. He cuddles me at night and always wants to be next to me. In my daily life he is someone I can really rely on to bring me love. I make sure to love him back too, I pet him and give him kisses. As for my artistic inspiration, even though painting is the thing I love to do I can feel stuck sometimes and need to take a break. Or I just need some love. He is usually by this time in the studio with me laying on the couch. Prince George is my inspiration for painting because I feel his love. And the love calms me down.
Leaving college and navigating through different living situations, including a shelter in NYC and living in a car in Los Angeles, speaks to a resilient journey. How did these diverse experiences impact your perspective on life and art?
My art has been completely transformed by this experience. A common motif in my artwork is the phrase “Don’t Ever Give Up”. I painted this while I was homeless and I feel as though this way of thinking kept me sane. Being homeless has had a profound effect on my life. I remember when I lost my mind and was searching the ground for joints of weed to smoke. Every time I was homeless, it was because I took risks and things didn’t work out. I had my opportunities when I was homeless but I was too mentally sick to even realize them. What this did teach me though is that things always do work out if you are prepared and ready. I know that chances surround me every day and I just need to go out and take them. I believe life can twist and turn where you want it to go. It’s up to you to stay afloat and not drown.
Having recently moved from Skid Row, what positive changes have you noticed in your life, both personally and artistically, since establishing a stable place to live?
No more noise and no more bad people. When I lived on Skid Row everyone there was miserable, and they were fighting everyday. There was always a party, people would blast music and you would be up all night. One time on the way to the soup kitchen I saw a fight break out. One person had a gun and the other one had a knife. And the guy with the gun was beating up the guy with the knife as he held it up to his neck. I had no clue what to do.. I was frozen. It was traumatic. In another instance I was walking up the stairs to my apartment and I saw a dead body on the ground covered with a white sheet. A police officer was standing next to the body. I have also had to walk through caution tapes to get to my apartment. The building was so scary. Artiscally in Skid Row I was struggling. I did not have enough space in my apartment to put up my easel. My apartment was the size of a closet. So I drew on a dated paper booklets. Since living in Bed Stuy so much has changed. The people that live around me are wealthy and not in despair. No fights are breaking out and you don’t have to fear for your life. My cat is even happier. When I was in my one room apartment on Skid Row me and the cat we would fight! He would attack me. He hated it there. There wasn’t really any space for him to walk about. Now, in the apartment that I live in, I have a painting room all to myself. It’s so lovely. I am working on really clearing the space so I can paint. This makes me feel so much better about myself. This shows throughout my work as well. I feel that you can tell I am more sane. More relaxed. I feel happy about where I live now.
Are there specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your artwork, especially considering the challenges you’ve overcome?
Just keep going and don’t give up. I fell on my face countless times but always in the end I get up and I keep going. I don’t give up. I want other people to understand. Especially the type of people that take calculated risks. Most times you are going to fail but that is what makes a person a success. I believe that’s why I was able to have two shows within two months of being here. It’s like I am able to accomplish so many obstacles because I’m used to the pain. I am used to having grit. Being homeless has made me so strong. I know deep down I can handle anything. I know I have skin in the game.
Can you share any upcoming projects or aspirations you have for your artistic career, now that you’re in a more stable phase of your life?
I want to do an exhibit on intrusive thoughts! I’m looking into showcasing what intrusive thoughts really are and how to overcome them. I feel like those that suffer from intrusive thoughts rarely talk about it. My exhibit that I am planning will open up the space for that discussion. I am planning on using the titles of the paintings to portray a story; more than the painting itself. I am excited to make a show about and further the discussion of mental health using my art. As for my artistic career my goal is to have 18 gallery shows and be featured 12 times in a museum. I am so happy for this year because I already have 2 shows down. That means I have 16 more shows to go. It’s nice to know that I am reaching such a stable place and I know it is because I am going into a more stable place in my life.
Finally, for those who may be facing adversity and find solace in art, what advice would you give based on your own journey?
DO NOT GIVE UP! I cannot stress that enough. When you give up, that’s when everything is done and finished. When you keep preserving even when times are tough and you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, know that that light is on the other end of the tunnel. It’s also cool because when you keep trying very hard you become sort of in a league within yourself. When you try so hard, suddenly there is no competition and it’s just yourself against yourself. And that feels good. It boosts my self-esteem. Don’t let failures haunt you and keep the past in the past. Because the past can eat you alive if you let it. Make sure to be aggressive, put yourself out there. Everyone is going to die at some point so who cares? Take that leap and make that jump. Also if you look at someone and you feel butterflies make sure to talk to them. It’s the universe bringing you two together.
