SLAF Program Guide 2024

2024 COMMEMORATIVE PRINT ARTIST Margaret Baker is an artist from Central Florida. She creates nostalgic, figurative oil paintings of what she calls the “moments-in- between,” mundane moments of the past that seem to take on a great significance in memory. The references for her oil paintings come from old snapshots and family photos from her own history as well as from those she collects from vintage shops and estate sales.   Margaret travels and exhibits her paintings at art festivals across the country. She enjoys the direct connection of people to the art and to the artist. She loves to hear the stories her paintings prompt. As a kid, Margaret collected old photos as she was fascinated by the stories they could tell. Then as an adult, her father passed down tens of thousands of slides and family photos spanning several generations. The landslide of material prompted her to begin using them as the basis for her paintings. The idea of elevating a thrown-away snapshot memory to an oil painting that tells a story is why she makes these paintings.  Margaret’s painting process begins by sifting through slide reels and her boxes of photos and selecting images. She looks for stories and is drawn initially to the people, their expressions, and body language. Often the original is not considered a “great photo.” It is analog, vernacular photography that hasn’t always aged well. It might have an unlevel frame, faded or blurry exposure, and odd composition. However, these elements that make it a poor-quality photo are often the elements that she finds can make it a great starting place for a painting. After selecting the references, she will sketch out the compositions, adding and subtracting elements of the source material. The final painting should prompt a memory or story, and feel familiar.  The Commemorative Print will be for sale at the Pop-Up Shop at the intersection of Central and Forsyth. The Good Tea Artist: Margaret Baker Booth #302 2