Successful Atlanta artist, Northwest alumna to host local exhibit | DeSoto County News

Picture: Atlanta-based artist Melissa Payne Baker, a local of Hernando and a Northwest Mississippi Neighborhood Faculty alumna, will debut her “Artwork for Each Pallet” exhibition on the Northwest Artwork Gallery on Monday, Oct. 3. The exhibit will proceed by way of Nov. 11. (Courtesy picture)

Northwest Mississippi Neighborhood Faculty has introduced that Atlanta-based artist Melissa Payne Baker, a 1996 graduate of Northwest, will debut an exhibition of her work entitled “Artwork for Each Palette” on the faculty in October. 

The present will open on the Northwest Artwork Gallery on the school’s principal campus in Senatobia on Monday, Oct. 3, with a gap reception to be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5-7 p.m. The exhibition will stay on show by way of Friday, Nov. 11. 

Baker studied enterprise at Northwest earlier than occurring to The College of Mississippi and incomes a level in advertising and marketing. 

“Beginning Northwest in 1994 at simply 17 years outdated, the schooling I acquired as a enterprise scholar was the proper first step that led me to my profitable profession,” she stated. 

Baker found her ardour for artwork early in life, studying from generations of artisans. The Hernando native started her skilled artwork profession in 2006, and it rapidly advanced right into a full-time enterprise. Now, she spends her days working in her Atlanta studio. Her work has been printed in Conventional Properties, Home Lovely, Southern House, and The Atlantan, amongst others. Her work has additionally been featured in designer present properties throughout the Southeast. 

“In my artwork, I like to rejoice the wonder round us, layer by layer, unfolding life by way of colour and texture onto my canvas,” she stated. “Totally different mediums permit me to specific completely different concepts in my summary work. Strongly influenced by inside design, my artwork flows onto partitions creating motion on the canvas, but calming feelings inside the viewer. I try to convey the sense of calmness by way of the complexities of life. These feelings, I paint from my coronary heart, and I hope my collectors really feel every time they view my work.” 

In 2012, Baker felt the necessity to create smaller artsy items, and created an extension of her model, Artwork for Each Palette. This distinctive, hand-painted assortment may be present in boutiques and galleries across the Southeast. In 2019, StyleBlueprint named Artwork for Each Palette amongst its “10 Southern Manufacturers You Ought to Know About.” 

Baker stated she very a lot seems to be ahead to her return to the school by way of her profession as an artist. 

“For the entire great alternatives that Northwest supplied, I really feel a deep sense of gratitude,” she stated. “It’s such an honor to be again in my residence state of Mississippi for this very particular exhibit.” 

The “Artwork for Each Palette” exhibit can be open to the general public. Northwest Artwork Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m.-noon. For extra details about Melissa Payne Baker’s work, go to melissapaynebaker.com. For extra details about Northwest, go to northwestms.edu.