Baker Artist Portfolios

My work lives in the space between humor and vulnerability, where clay becomes a storyteller, and illustration informs each sculpted line. As a Baltimore-based artist with roots in Savannah, Georgia, I grew up immersed in the world of outsider art, influenced by the bold, unapologetic works of artists like John Jensen, Red Grooms, and Howard Finster. Their ability to capture the oddities of the human experience in raw, accessible ways shaped my own journey as an artist. For me, the process of creation is one of discovery, and clay allows me to sculpt narratives that challenge and invite—a balancing act between the familiar and the strange.

Through my sculptures, I explore the layers of our shared, often uncomfortable, human experience. Using humor and carefully chosen words, I aim to disarm the viewer, drawing them into conversations around complex topics that may otherwise be hard to confront. My characters are both surreal and relatable, exaggerated yet grounded in authenticity. They carry hints of satire, yet their expressions convey a vulnerability that allows audiences to see reflections of themselves, or those they know, in unexpected ways.

Clay, with its malleable nature, becomes a vehicle for my illustrations, allowing me to build textures, forms, and characters that feel both immediate and timeless. I consider each piece a conversation starter, designed to provoke thought and introspection, and, perhaps, even a smile. My goal is for these sculptures to act as bridges, opening dialogues about identity, community, and the peculiarities of modern life. I am fascinated by how humor can lighten heavy subjects, creating an accessible entry point to discussions on topics that might otherwise be ignored or overlooked.

In my studio, I strive to capture the spirit of outsider art—a tradition that celebrates the voices and visions of those who see the world differently. By blending these influences with a personal lens, my sculptures offer a narrative that is equal parts autobiography and commentary. Each character, each word, and each glaze is a deliberate choice, an invitation to the viewer to step closer, to question, and to laugh. Through this work, I hope to build an art that resonates in the spaces where we are most human: where we laugh, feel, and connect over our shared, sometimes uncomfortable truths.