By Kat Fragoso

NY Handmade Collective member Joanna Baker of @joannabaker designs her artwork on a wide variety of subjects. Showing up creatively has allowed her to illustrate a wide variety of subjects. Read all about her creative and inspirational process.

NYHC: Tell us about what you make.

Joanna Baker: I'm an illustrator and create all of my artwork by hand using artist's markers, colored pencil, gouache and watercolor. I like illustrating a variety of subjects. If it's pretty and it makes me happy; it will probably get turned into art!

NYHC: Where do you live?

JB: I live in Washington Heights in Manhattan with my husband and our cat Junebug. We've lived here for almost seven years now and really love our neighborhood. My favorite part of the city is actually right next door, the Heather Garden in Fort Tryon Park. This garden has the most beautiful collection of roses, foxglove, peonies, azaleas, hydrangeas, heaths, heathers, and so much more. When the weather is nice, I love going for daily walks to get inspired.

NYHC: What is unique or different about your process and/or designs?

JB: I'm not sure it's unique, but I prefer not being tied to a certain subject matter in my work. Somehow I'm able to sketch a wide array of different things but they still feel like they all belong together.

NYHC: Do you have any favorite pieces? What makes them special to you?

JB: It's so hard to choose favorites! Some of the pieces that are extra special to me though, are the ones that have a lot of meaning behind them. My collection of botanical watercolor paintings titled "Into the Garden" were all created at the beginning of quarantine last year when we were all sheltering inside. Each painting felt like a love letter to Heather Garden that I so desperately wanted to visit.

NYHC: What is your favorite tool or supply?

JB: My collection of Copic Sketch markers is my pride and joy when it comes to art supplies and I've collected quite a few over the years. The ink is super blendable and you can achieve almost watercolor like effects with them.

NYHC: Is there a new piece/opportunity/change that you're excited about?

JB: I'm really looking forward to launching a limited collection of hand painted bisque Heirloom Eggs in mid-March loosely inspired by the famous Faberge Easter eggs.

NYHC: What advice or tips can you share with other makers?

JB: Make time to experiment and create what makes you happy! It can be easy to get in a rut of creating what sells best or what gets the most "likes." But you'll quickly burn out and lose sight of why you're showing up creatively if you don't also make time for trying new things.

NYHC: Share an important lesson you've learned from running your business.

JB: Don't let the desire for perfection keep you from getting started. You can always change and tweak things along the way, the most important thing is to start somewhere! This applies to just about anything in your business but if you don't already have one, make sure to start a mailing list!