About Roxanne Baldwin
I am the daughter of two commercial
artists, and started drawing at an early age. My first teacher was my
mother, whom I'd frequently ask how to draw things. I remember, for
example, having her demonstrate how to make a kitten look young, as a opposed to
adult like a cat.
I decided to pursue art as a profession when I turned sixteen.
Interestingly enough, it was not a piece of art that influenced me to this
decision, it was music. I realized how powerful the non-verbal was on a
person's emotions, and I wanted to do something like that. Since I knew I
had no talent for music, but knowledge of art, instead, I decided I would make
art my medium of non-verbal expression.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to attend a formal art college. Most of my education came from a professional portrait artist, Freda Dreany of Stamford, Connecticut. One of my first jobs was creating portraits of customers in a mall in Stamford (where I was living). I've done countless quick sketch portraits, and still do. I worked mostly in pastel to do those portraits.
Eventually, when I lived on my own, space was at a premium, and I started working in colored pencil. It was while doing this that I discovered I really enjoy drawing over painting, and when the time came when I could paint again, I opted to stay with colored pencil. I also had developed techniques with the pencil which I wanted to continue to explore.
I became very interested in the unseen of what is around us, both the spiritual,
and the scientific. I read books about quantum physics and was interested
in the comparisons to the metaphysical. I became a Reiki
Master. I read books on Jung. All of this influenced my way of
looking at the world, and therefore, my art.
I would feel pulled to certain images I saw in the world around me. It
occurred to me, that whatever drew me, might draw other people, so I pursued
these images. I think in terms of modern archetypes, feeling that what
affects me strongly are images of the Collective Unconscious brought up to date
for modern times.
I have worked in retail jobs to support my art, and also as a cat sitter (I love cats). My work has been in exhibits and juried shows. Some of my work is in collections, and I've done commissions.
Presently, I live in Queens (New York City) with my boyfriend of many years, and my pet Maine Coon cat Hannako.
