About

Western Art by Richard Baker

RICHARD BAKER’s Western Art roots run deep into the Southern Arizona desert. HIs western art has been very well received with his original oil paintings, quality paper prints and canvas Giclees selling very strongly across the United States, and his art being showcased in national magazines and newspapers.

He draws from his friends and family. His uncle Bob was a very good rodeo team roper and also ran a lot of cattle down by the Mexican border. Richard spent a lot of time with Bob, learning roping and tending to livestock and such.

Then there was his mother’s brother, Johnny, who worked a gold mine for many years near Patagonia. In the end, Uncle Johnny asked to have his ashes spread at his gold mine. Baker’s roots definitely run deep in Arizona.

Always looking for excitement, Richard – who goes by Rich – and his long time friend Danny, spent most of their time exploring the desert growing up. When they were finally ready to strike out, Danny felt they should follow the national rodeo circuit. As it turned out, young Danny lost his life riding a bronco in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

After deciding what to do next, Rich took a job working among the Apache Indians in Globe, Arizona.

Starting in grade school, Rich really found his love for art. His art teacher was very encouraging and got him to enter some art shows where he won several city-wide art contests. Rich’s mother, Helen, was a wildlife artist and was always very supportive of his art.After an army tour in Germany, Rich was encouraged by his mother to attend the University of Arizona on an art scholarship. "My mother always had a clear idea that I was meant to be an artist…she will be soulfully missed."

There weren’t a lot of good art jobs in Tucson back then, so Rich and his wife, Rita, had to leave their beloved Arizona for a career in commercial art and advertising in Los Angeles, California. During this time he won Gold Medals for his illustration and design work, but he always spent a lot of time working on his fine art in Arizona. This finally led to art studios in Tucson and Southern California where he devoted his full time to his fine art.

Richard’s Western Art has been very well received with his original oil paintings, quality paper prints and canvas Giclees selling very strongly across the United States, and his art being showcased in national magazines and newspapers.