Today we’d like to introduce you to Zaira Baker.
Hi Zaira, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a painter and portrait artist from South Jersey that has expanded to ATL. My journey as an artist began when I was a kid. My earliest memories are of me sitting at the kitchen table drawing my wildest imagination. In my free time, me and my cousin would sit and draw for hours with scrapped paper and coloring pencils scattered around us. I kept drawing through out my life up until my adult years as a way to relax and calm my mind. A couple of years ago (2020) I was working as a leasing consultant and a resident came into my office and saw one of my drawings sitting on my desk. She asked me if I could paint? She told me that she had been looking for someone to paint a portrait of her friend. I told her yes! Even though I never painted before in my life but I knew I could figure it out. I took on the challenge and painted my first ever portrait and from that moment I’ve been painting ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a unique road that only an artist could understand. As an artist, you paint, draw, and express yourself as a way to release. You tend to crave being creative. It’s pretty much your nature. If you’re not being creative you start to feel off balanced until you find a way to express yourself. Whatever medium of expression you choose, you’re doing it from a place of creativity. Sometimes from a place of spirituality. This urge normally leads an artist down a road of self exploration. This is where the road gets interesting because you began to unlock things within yourself that can be beautiful, scary, or unexplainable. This is what makes artist some of the most unique people in the world because they are constantly exploring themselves in a depth that most people won’t. That’s why it’s a road less traveled unless you’re truly born to be an artist.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work as an artist tends to be centered around capturing the quirky, colorful, and bold essence of every day people. I specialize in portraits. I also work on solo projects in between seasons. I mostly enjoy painting faces and candid moments. Most of my customers commission me to paint their most sentimental moments. This makes me proud because I have been trusted to paint loved ones who have passed, children, and other special moments that customers would like recreated and gifted to their family for special occasions.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Haha. I was very expressive and energetic, also a hot mess. I was always an active kid. I was in dance class, and played on and off sports, barely making it through the season. I mostly did it for fun. I dibbled and dabbled in just about everything that caught my attention but never truly stuck to one thing. I always tried different things no matter how scared I was to try it. I have always been this way. I was and still am an inquisitive person that fixates on something until I explore it and figure it out. Then I move on to my next fixation. This also reflects in my personality. As you get to know me you’ll notice that I’m a complete contradiction of self. I am social yet, introverted. Bubbly, yet sarcastic. Relaxed but also energetic. I don’t make sense. I’m also an only child so I’ll use that as an excuse.
Pricing:
- Canvas Size (11 x 14)- $150+
- Canvas Size (16 x 20)- $200+
- Canvas Size (18 x 24)- $250+
- Canvas Size (30 x 24)- $300+
- Canvas Size (30 x 24 >)-$400+ All prices may vary
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zairaimanart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zairaimanart
