We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patricia J Baker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patricia J below.
Patricia J, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I was always interested in the creative aspect of art through sewing and crafts. My mother, Dorris McGregor was instrumental in teaching my sister and I to do both and we began early as teens making our own clothes due to lack of finances. I made many of the clothes I wore to school and throughout my school ages I discovered many crafts— macrame, rughooking, crochet, woodburning, sewing and finally beading jewelry. I also enjoyed sketching and drawing at an early age but only for my own enjoyment. I considered it doodling and often did it when I was bored. I usually drew fashion design, intrigued by the swirl of the fabric and loved drawing different colorful patterns. When I became a teacher it was necessary to make bulletin boards and my creations were considered by other coworkers to be top notch and I was always willing to help others with their ideas. During these beginning teaching years, I began beading jewelry to match my outfits and it became a side hustle in 1967. I remember my first piece, a simple beaded strung necklace with a medium size pendant as the focal interest, It fell apart after the first wearing because I did not know how to secure the crimping ends. A lesson was learned. RESEARCH for knowledge. READ for understanding. WORK toward quality and perfection. I became a self taught jewelry beader and creative who wanted to open her own boutique. I worked for at home art service called Transart for several years and gained valuable skills as part of their training. I assisted many customers with choosing their art prints, mats and framing. When the product was completed and sent by the company I helped the customer hang the art work. All these skills assisted me in reaching an unrealized dream. At 73, I attended the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club founded by Henry Harper and Harold Braggs. Henry encouraged me to add painted to my regimen. I had my first solo show at The Congregation in Detroit, Michigan curated by Dr. Chanel Beebe. The Patrician Art Gallery was born three years later. I combined the jewelry and art together to open my own art gallery with a jewelry boutique.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Patricia Joyce McGregor Baker and my name exemplifies much about how I see myself. Patricia means noble and I like to carry myself in a dignified manner. Joyce represents the joy I have of life and my love of people. McGregor is my heritage and I honor all my ancestors who continue to protect and support my endeavors. Baker is my married name and when I divorced I kept the name in respect for genealogy–my lovely two sons, Richard Edward Baker IV and Michael Morani Baker and their offspring, I have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. I was an educator for 34 years for Detroit Public Schools. I taught Mathematics and progressed to a Math Consultant, Assistant Principal and Elementary Principal before retirement. Two years later I worked for WRESA as a Math and Principal Coach.
My art career started in 2017. I provide artistic creations from various media since as a self taught artist I am continually honing my craft in jewelry and art. I assist my clients in choosing from a large selection of mixed media. My preference is drawing in pen and ink and painting in acrylics. I provide a certificate of authenticity for each piece of art. Presently I have a passion for woodburning using watercolor for the vibrant color on the wood. I provide both jewelry repair and consultation for my jewelry clients and framing for my art clients. I also offer FREE home consultation services for where to hang that special piece of art. I am gregarious and love hostessing. I enjoy providing opportunities for my clients to enjoy the comfort of my condo purusing my personal art collection before engaging in the joy of the pieces that are for sale in the lower level . In the past I have had Wednesday Popups which featured a musician, light refreshments, art raffles and free gifts of jewelry. These were exciting and pleasurable activities. My work stems mostly from a happy place and I do not paint many dark pieces. I am not political but recently have become more socially conscious. I am proud of the fact that I engage often with my fellow artists and share ideas with them. My youngest son is a graphic designer and I am proud of using his services to provide me with excellent designed logos and flyers for upcoming events and exhibitions. I encourage my artist friends and family to sign up for my “Calls for Art” typically held every three months. SHARE the wealth!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I decided to open a gallery in my home, I was met with opposition and many suggestions and opinions. I was opposed to taking too much help. This was my dream. Perhaps it was a fantasy. But I wanted to see if I could DO IT!
I planned, I strategized. I worked. I carried. I purchased grid walls and storage shelves. I spent a lot of money. I cut a few corners. The lower level of my condo needed to be partitioned off from the storage and furnaced area. I paid a referred contractor to do that. I could not afford new flooring but a nice buffing of the tiled floor worked. I could not hang items on the waterproofed paneling. I still need better lighting. None of this affected me enough to stop. I saw the dream being realized and knew one day I would be happy to invite others to this space. I wanted the space to be comfortable . A helpful young male artist came to my rescue to help me install heavy grid walls. Fellow artists helped me hang or store the many pieces of art. Much of the paper work, selling and ideas come from my overloaded brain. Once people visit they are encouraged to try some new idea they have or institute an old one that they have put off. My main purpose in life is to INSPIRE OTHERS. I think I have done that.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I think that having good time management skills are important and I find that for me it is sometimes difficult. Organizing my busy life with business issues, relationships, event engagements, calls for art, paperwork, finance issues, daily living, health issues, spiritual concerns is a lot to deal with and concur. When I first opened the gallery, I did not do a feasibility study. If I did, I would not have done it. I was goal, my mission to get it done before I die. I also am a writer and I have two books to finish. Same goal! At any rate, I wanted to have normal business hours but found out quickly that my body and mind did not agree. 10am to 5 pm DAILY over time felt like I was in jail and how could I go to luncheons, other events and doctor appointments when I was in prison. I did learn to do paperwork, finances, and cook while WAITING for people to come to the door. I finally had to go to appointments only while I figured out how to make a schedule that worked for me. I became so discouraged that I took off January and February this year to hibernate, meditate and receive rest and relaxation. I am feeling more positive about managing my time. I sometimes wake up between 3-5am and instead of trying unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, I do paper work, play a computer game or DANCE!
Contact Info:
- Website: www. designsbypatrician.com
- Instagram: @patriciajbaker209
- Facebook: @PatriciaJBaker
Image Credits
Sheryl Heading Alexander
Deborah Benedic
Patricia J. Baker