Friends of the Coastal Branch Library announced that their featured artist for the month of September is Debbie Baker. Her works will be on display throughout this month.

Debbie Baker is a resident of Freeport, having moved here in 2002. She moved here with her husband after raising their family in Rome, GA. While working and raising a family her artistic talents were mainly used to create needlework, crochet designs, and decorative tole paintings.

After moving to Florida, Debbie began taking art classes in 2007 from local renowned artist, Skippy Hoffman. She began work in charcoals, pastels, and oils before finding her passion in acrylic. She still does some work in oils using mostly water based oils. She has also done quite a bit of glass painting, i.e. soap bottles and wine glasses.

The subjects of her paintings are usually from photographs taken by her or close friends then adding personal touches that make them unique. The beauty of this area has given her lots of inspiration to create scenic landscapes adding to the variety of subjects which she enjoys painting.

“I am enjoying my new career as an artist. It is great to get in touch with my creative side. I love taking photos and combining different elements into a beautiful new image. Whimsical fish scenes are fun to create and I always have a beach scene started,” said Debbie.

Debbie’s art has been shown at the Chautaququa Assembly in DeFuniak Springs and at Artsquest in Sandestin, as well as numerous area arts and crafts shows. She has also been shown at the Coastal Branch Library alongside some fellow artists from the Walton County Art League. Some of her work is currently hanging in the Hotel DeFuniak Art Gallery.

To view or purchase Debbie’s art work, check out her online gallery.