ART  GALLERIES

SCHUBERT

ALAN BAKER (1914 -1987)

It is a fact that the work of Alan Baker is scarce.  One of the reasons there are so few Alan Baker paintings in the marketplace is because their owners will not part with them.  Another is due to Baker’s incredibly high ethics in regard to producing a masterpiece with every work. Every so often he would clear out his studio and burn dozens of his works that he thought not to be good enough.  He always said that when he died he did not want a studio full of rubbish getting onto the market.  This is why we never see an average Alan Baker.  Each work is of the highest of standard in keeping with the ethics of its creator.

Baker’s work is synonymous with refinement and quality.  He is best remembered for his beautiful flower paintings poised against dark backgrounds.  The inspiration for these works came from his very own planting of hundreds of camellias, azaleas, roses, native plants and cacti.  In painting his floral arrangements he utilized the methods of the great masters of the past painting in good daylight from south to north and no reflected light and tone.

He revolutionised the way artists after him approached their backgrounds. As he insisted backgrounds are considered a feature to help produce harmony of colour: -

“I get to work with dyes till by trial and error a rich muted colour emerges that could not be produced by any other means.  A white curtain yellowed and greyed by age becomes rich with colour.” (Alan .D. Baker Artist G&M Baker Orangeville)

Baker spent hours arranging his own still lifes until they were perfect. He placed importance on finding the right balance of vase to flowers.  It was essential for him that shadow was thrown from one flower to the next.  Originally trained in portraiture Baker often compared the technique involved in portrait painting with that of still life: -

“To paint a good floral, in my experience, needs a portrait approach.  The subtlety of skin is akin to a delicate colour of a flower.  This technique needs to be masterly to capture flowers at their best without tightness of over-painting or what is abhorrent to me, painting a white flower over a dark background, which must surely creep through with passage of time”

Baker’s work is technically masterful. This is probably due to the fact that he studied at the J. S. Watkins Art School and for the first four years was encouraged to work only in pencil, charcoal, pen and washes.  At the tender age of 18 when he eventually ventured into oils, he submitted his self-portrait to the Archibald Prize and it was accepted.  He was one of few artists at that time that was able to make a living from their paintings.

Baker was adamant that his paintings were going to last.  He spent much time and effort preparing the canvas or board and using only the very best materials.  He always used what he thought to be the most permanent and stable colours that would endure the test of time.

“He used to say how many modern painters had little regard for their materials and the longevity of their work, reflecting the “throw away society”.  He had little respect for modern art and often called it “refuge of the incompetent” (Alan .D. Baker Artist G&M Baker Orangeville). Baker would go great lengths so as not to over- paint the picture.  He rarely over-painted preferring to finish the painting while it was wet because he knew of the dangers of over-painting, cracking and dark colours coming through light colours.  He preferred to throw a painting away rather than over-paint.

His work is free and flowing.  His portraits, landscapes and most importantly his still-life works are pleasing to the eye.  They create a lasting impression.  His works have been described as breathtakingly beautiful.  His flower paintings are referred to “portraits of flowers” rather than flower studies. It is easy to become engrossed in an Alan Baker flower painting.  Subtle petals falling in the air are perfectly balanced in front of a rich dark curtain or wall.  His flowers have faces, baby buds, almost bloom before the eyes of the viewer if you look for long enough.  Viewing an Alan Baker painting is a unique experience.  He captures detail and creates atmosphere in his homage to beauty.

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