Meet Christy Baker Knight | Naturalist Artist, Educator & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christy Baker Knight and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christy, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
To be honest, answering this question is a bit of a risk. Instead of painting a pretty picture, I’ve learned that art can save you. The creative processes I’ve held dear my whole life were put to the test last fall when I was stuck alone in Milan, Italy, for a month while my late husband underwent (then) life-saving surgery and hospitalization after a terrifying vacation start. Documenting my journey through writing and visiting a hospital chapel full of phenomenal murals and stained glass were my daily therapies. In that moment I realized my job of teaching art is important, truly my calling, and connects me with others who are taking risks. When a life is saved, when a painting keeps us alive in spirit through incredible loneliness and fear we understand that the only thing that matters is taking the risk to help one another just as an Italian artist named Dayan Gunesekare did for me and my family. After that experience I dove straight back into my work helping others draw and paint. Now six months after my spouse’s passing (peacefully at home after Christmas) I am happily teaching children again after school and at camp. Every day we take risks with mediums, technique challenges and sharing our work out loud.

My own current art risk is portraiture of angels first inspired by a greeting card by Trevor Waugh that sat on my mantel through these last four difficult years we’ve all experienced. Portraits have never been my strong suit so I’m going outside my comfort zone capturing the light that angels bring to us, the mystery of the face that emerges as it evolves and is fascinating to witness. Art also has the ability to survive our human experience, to be a legacy to pass down to future generations. It’s a risk worth taking every time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Inspired by the free sprit of the blossoming Olympic city, I started my freelance illustration and mural business in Atlanta in 1996. Having previously worked for several years as an Exhibit Designer for Fernbank Museum of Natural History, (an incredible albeit sometimes hilarious experience that I’ve written about in a novel, On Display), I wanted to really hone my skills both in scientific (botanical) illustration and larger-than-life murals. Although I first thought I was going to do this thing alone I quickly learned that it is all about the people who support each other in writing and art communities, which prompted me to teach. As my business evolved I lived the mantra, “we learn most when teaching,” eventually training to be an environmental educator with a dynamic team at Blue Heron Nature Preserve. I’m inspired by fellow artists of all ages and abilities who attend my drawing, painting and mixed media classes at Chastain Arts Center and Abernathy Arts Center, as well as those who take private lessons in my home studio. When shopping for unique gifts, I buy local creations at gallery shows and festivals and love that Shoutout Atl is all about empowering local business in this way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Chattahoochee River is my favorite place to take people (including myself), either for a hike or a walk along one of the many sublime trails. Southern Bistro is a great spot for lunch, always delicious and friendly, or Anis in Buckhead which has stayed incredibly authentic all these years. The Sandy Springs Farmers Market is great on Saturday mornings with live music and local vendors. A concert would be a perfect way to follow that up and there are many venues to choose from but our own Chastain Park amphitheater is my favorite. Walkability is something Atlanta has definitely improved upon over the years and I love that about us.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s been thrilling to have been born into a family of artists and to be creatively nurtured. My mother, Beverly Baker, is an extremely talented artist with an illustrious career and my twin sister, Suzanne Baker, is an accomplished painter and spiritual writer. While my work tends to be more illustrative and technical, it complements that of my family with nature being a connecting theme. Meanwhile, my daughter Beverly Knight is a talented young musician performing in Atlanta. We are all called to share our gifts to the best of our abilities and it comes with both pressure and joy.

Website: https://fieldandstudio.com/

Instagram: https://christy.b.knight