My artist talk and herbal mandala painting workshop in support of my exhibition All Flourishing Is Mutual at DaVero Farms and Winery were great successes. I only wish I had a recording of the artist talk! I touched upon why women in agriculture are such an inspiration to me, briefly shared my experience working on farms and how that translated into my paintings, and shared anecdotes about the specific women featured in my paintings. I broke down the painterly processes and innovative techniques utilized in my figurative paintings, disclosed some of the thoughts that go into constructing a composition, and discussed the translation of tactile sensation into paint.
For my herbal mandala painting workshop, I partnered with Michael Presley, the soil-keeper at DaVero, to tour the biodynamic garden. Participants encountered and picked flowers, shrubs, vines, and herbs that resonated with them, which we then brought back into the studio. I led participants through the process of creating a mandala, and gave some tips about flowing with watercolor and capturing the essence of the plants. I am super pleased with some truly beautiful student results!
My exhibition statement for All Flourishing is Mutual is shared below:
Kristina Rose Baker is an artist based in Orange County, California. Her passion for sustainable and regenerative living inspired a series of artworks that celebrates female farmers. This series, born from her desire to spotlight the vital role of women in agriculture and the importance of understanding our food sources, features portraits and paintings of women sowing, tending, watering, harvesting, and gathering.
Baker's figurative paintings capture moments of action, concentration, and devotion. Each piece was conceptualized from her extensive reference material, which includes sketches and photographs from her time working on and visiting farms. Her initial sketches are lively gestures, often partially visible in the final canvas, infusing the artwork with energy and dynamism. Baker allows herself significant creative freedom within the realm of representation, embracing painterly moments and incorporating abstraction. Her work continually explores the expansive capabilities of oil paint, experimenting with new mark-making and application techniques to expand her artistic vocabulary.
In this series, Baker also focused on the texture and movement of flesh, utilizing the impasto quality of oil paint to convey the toughness, vitality, wear, and flexibility of skin. Through her paint application and texture, she seeks to evoke the spirit and character of her subjects.
Baker's research for this series involved visiting and working on various farms, primarily in Southern California, though she also worked from reference images for those located farther away. During her visits, she created sketches and took photographs to serve as the basis for her paintings. The women she paints are those who inspire her and who play an urgent and crucial role in society. Her paintings not only highlight their contributions but also underscore the broader significance of sustainable agriculture and the women at its forefront.
I am extremely grateful to Farm Studio Sonoma for inviting me to participate in the exhibition and collaborative events!