Melissa Payne Baker-From the pages of.......

....Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine, December 2010 issue

The national greats Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Veranda, Architectural Digest, and Traditional Home often overshadow regional design magazines. This is a mistake as there are fantastic publications that give a glimpse into the way of life and style of particular areas across the country. New York Spaces, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Garden & Gun, and Louisiana Homes & Gardens are examples of top quality "books" that achieve greatness in features, writing, and photography specifically focused on the regions they serve. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine not only succeeds in exceptional lifestyle and design project inclusion but takes it to the top of the craft by selecting Atlanta area homes that are so well done that they feel like outstanding design projects, not just Atlanta homes, that could be anywhere that good design is achieved.

One such project with wow factor was the December 2010 issue cover story. Executed beautifully by designer Alison Womack Jowers and photographed by Emily Followill, the large Buckhead home could just as well have been in Connecticut, Los Angeles, or Dallas. I particularly love the Master Bedroom. In tones of yellow, gray, and neutral, the space is very soothing--traditional but with a bit of an edge, feminine paired with masculine, i.e. the graceful lamp on the strong architectural column-style bedside table. 

Bedroom in Atlanta home by Alison Womack Jowers of Womack Interiors; painting by Melissa Payne Baker; photo by Emily Followill for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine

But what caught my eye is the small abstract painting placed perfectly above the bedside table. This little gem adds edge to the room. Melissa Payne Baker is the artist. I had not seen Melissa's work before and thinking that a piece similar to the one shown would be perfect for a Lafayette client's master bedroom I began research to find out more about the artist and to see more of her work. I learned that the Mississippi native is Atlanta based and represented by several galleries throughout the South. And I was relieved to see that this featured piece isn't just one successful piece by the artist but one of many great paintings.

Well, great minds think alike. Within a few days I received an email announcement from dear friend Alice Parker of Parker Gallery (www.parkerartgallery.com) on St. Simons Island, GA, announcing that Melissa Payne Baker is now represented by Parker Gallery! I was thrilled. Parker Gallery is one of the best galleries not only in Georgia but in the South. Armed with Art History and American Arts degrees from University of Georgia and Sotheby's New York, Alice Parker's Shops at Sea Island gallery represents an impressive roster of contemporary fine artists from all over the country. Melissa Payne Baker is joining Jim Touchton, Dennis Campay, John Mathew Moore, Page Davis, and Brucie Holler (just to name a few of my favorite Parker Gallery represented artists) on the walls of the sleek and inviting gallery which could (like the great projects Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles chooses) be in any sophisticated locale across the country.


Here are three of my favorite Melissa Payne Baker paintings that are now at Parker Gallery:

Melissa Payne Baker

Cherish

Acrylic on Canvas

24" x 24"

$ 925.00

Melissa Payne Baker

Soft Landscape

Acrylic on Canvas

36" x 48"

$ 2,800.00

Melissa Payne Baker

Iris

Acrylic on Canvas

36" x 36"

$ 1,800.00

In addition to large-scale paintings, Parker Gallery will be receiving small paintings by Melissa Payne Baker. I hope to use this duo in the same way that Allison Womack Jowers did so successfully in the Atlanta project. These would be perfect in the Master Bedroom of a Lafayette house for clients who are city-lovers and regularly spend time in New York and Houston.

Melissa Payne Baker

In the City I

Acrylic on Canvas

8" x 8"

$ 245.00

Melissa Payne Baker

In the City II

Acrylic on Canvas

$ 245.00

The texture and depth are what drew me to the piece featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. When I asked Alice Parker what exactly makes Melissa Payne Baker a strong addition to Parker Gallery's already heavy-hitter stable of artists, Parker said:

"Color is what makes her work unique. Natural, organic, with lots of depth. At the same time it exudes a sense of calm."

I share the same feeling. As does Samantha Dinos, art consultant and a collector of Melissa Payne Baker's work. Samantha's Sea Island house is where Parker first saw Melissa's paintings and through the Dinos connection met Melissa. Paying the ultimate compliment to an artist, Parker feels that Melissa Payne Baker is, like her work, "lovely, gracious, and graceful".

I look forward to seeing the new additions to Parker Gallery when I spend July 4th weekend on St. Simons. If you haven't booked all of your summer and fall travel yet and are looking for a wonderful place to visit, consider St. Simons. And stop by Parker Gallery. Meet Alice Parker. Buy a Melissa Payne Baker painting. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Parker Gallery-St. Simons Island, GA    www.parkerartgallery.com

Melissa Payne Baker--Atlanta, GA      www.melissapaynebaker.com

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine   www.atlantahomesmag.com

Alison Womack Jowers, interior designer  www.womackinteriors.com

Emily Followill, photographer of Jowers home  www.emilyfollowill.com

In addition to Parker Gallery, Melissa Payne Baker is represented by:

Huff Harrington Fine Art, Atlanta

The Studio Gallery, Grayton Beach, FL

Richland Fine Art, Nashville, TN

Hanover Gallery, Chattanooga, TN

Loretta Goodwin Gallery, Birmingham, AL

Quatrefoil Design, Atlanta