We were lucky to catch up with Baker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Baker, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As a child, I knew I didn’t want to look or be like everyone else. I’ve always found ways to be creative with my approach & appearance. I designed my first dress in the 6th grade and from there I knew my life had to have some form of art & style. Looking for ways to stay creative I chose to attend art school to push myself further & I landed in the field of cosplaying, designing crowns & painting.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello Beautiful Creatures, My name is Baker. Known as Baker Memphis Cosplay Girl. I’m the only girl of many talented brothers. I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee.
I am an upcoming Wire Crown Designer, Cosplayer, Painter, and Paint Party Host.

My first love has always been fashion. While growing up I desired to be a fashion designer & stylist with creative directing as a hobby. Lol I had huge dreams that slowly shifted to what I’m pursuing today.

Getting into this industry came from my love of coloring as a little girl. Remember we use to outline the pictures in the coloring book with a heavy hand first then lightly fill the pages with the same color? That was my favorite part. While attending The Art Institute I was required to take a painting course were the instructor would push me to do more. Even though it would take me hours/days on a project that I assumed was completed, she would still say “Baker you can do better, add more.” So I would add more until I learned about an artist perspective and started doing my own thing.
The inspiration and artist perspective that I have today starts with the little girl coloring in her coloring book while watching cartoons. If you take a look at my work you will see the heavy hand black outline, the bold colors of acrylic paint as if I was still coloring with my Crayola crayons.

That same drive and inspiration is why I choose to be a cosplayer & crown designer. Seeing your favorite characters on the screen looking adorable, powerful or fierce makes you want to be apart of that universe. Now that I’m older with the funds to do whatever my heart desires, I can bring whomever I like to, to life. Whether it’s a Princess, Sailor Scout, Vampire, Wizard, Villain or Fairy, I can be whatever I want to be (With Locs!!!)

As a cosplayer I want others to know there’s a place for you, you can do this even if you start with a closet cosplay.
As a painter & designer, I want people to feel inspired by my work, by my style of painting & wavy backgrounds. Know that you can wear your Crown Proudly anywhere you like. You may get asked if it’s your birthday, but just wear it because it makes you feel good.

At this moment I’m proud of how far I have come in just a few years. I’m very proud to share all of my Kidult Moments with my brother KB (Artistic_Talent)
We both will be vendoring at the Cooper-Young Festival as well as the Memphis Japan Festival this year. So if you’re looking for affordable, amazing pieces inspired by our love of Anime, Fantasy, Movies & Cartoons please stop by to say hello, shop with us, or take a photo. I’ll be in full cosplay of course so I hope to see you there. 🩵

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal has always been to be myself, inspire others and become an entrepreneur. Juggling a 9 to 5 while trying to work for yourself can be a struggle. My father has always stated “Do what you have to do, so that you can do what you want to do later in life.”
In this moment I’m doing exactly that because I know the end goal will be becoming my own boss to provide opportunities for others like myself.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Yes, Non-Creatives struggle with the fact that Creatives get bored really fast. Our minds can be focused yet all over the place at once. Trying to define us as one could never happen because we’re all beautifully different. What works for non-creatives really doesn’t work for creatives because we crave our freedom. Freedom to express ourselves the way we see fit not to be put in a stuffy box while living a mundane lifestyle. If you ever meet a Creative Creature have a chat with them. You just might make a friend or fall in love.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Aletterfrombaker & Mahogany Sunflower Shop
• Facebook: Mahogany Sunflower Shp

Image Credits
Quinton Reshod Yates (IQ Productions)
Shun B Images