“I love the challenge of physically translating a thought or feeling onto a canvas.”
Born in Kankakee, IL. In 1967, Baron left his hometown at the age of seventeen and headed to California with about $100 in his pocket. He worked a variety of jobs until he could get into art school. He received his training at the Art Center, Pasadena, CA in 1997 and The Art Institute of Southern California in 1998 and has been a practicing artist since. His work has been featured in both group and solo exhibitions since 1997. The artist now lives near Dallas, TX with his wife, Tania.
Baron’s painting incorporates elements of surrealism, mark-making, text, collage, pop imagery, all drawn from his own thoughts, experiences, and dreams.
“My main body of work explores childhood memories, everyday objects or an emotion. My work has childlike simplicity with layers of complexities. There are many images, writings and memories buried in layers of paint. Some of these show through while others are covered up forever…just like feelings are.”
His palette, while relatively simple, is rich in layered depth and saturation, while seemingly innocuous collaged or drawn objects – particularly coffee cups – float in a field of largely negative space.
“I aim to create a balance between color and form, usually with only three elements. I start out making random marks and scribbles on the canvas just to “activate” it. By pushing and pulling paint and imagery, I’ll often attach a memory to it somewhere in the process.”
Regardless of the work’s perhaps more serious intent, there’s often an innocence or child-like sense of play in most of Baron’s paintings. This sense of play underscores the personality of an artist who, while not taking himself too seriously, nonetheless maintains a strong work ethic, creative momentum, and commitment to his practice and career.
“If I have an idea, I explore it. I get it out of my head so I can move on.”
- 2020 Frederick Holmes and Company Gallery, Seattle WA
- 2019 “Art of Freedom” Lawley Art Group Gallery, Dallas TX
- 2019 “The Other Art Fair” Dallas TX
- 2017 “Alexander Schwartz Platform” On-Line Exhibition
- 2017 “Conception Art Show” Dallas, TX
- 2009 “Divus Group” Art Rebel, Sherman Oaks, CA
- 2008 “Here & There” Viet Nam Fundraiser, Springfield, MO
- 2008 “By the Running Foot” OCCCA, Santa Ana, CA
- 2008 “Lotus Festival” Echo Park, Los Angeles
- 2008 “Memory Show” Liz’s Loft Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- 2007 “Essence of Asia” Asian Fusion Gallery, Asian Cultural Center, New York, NY
- 2006 ”Small Wonders” Juried Benefit, Pharmaka-Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- 2006 “The Guggenheim Gallery” Juried Fine Art Exhibition, Orange CA
- 2006 “Snap to Grid“ LACDA, LA Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, CA
- 2006 “Masters & Apprentices” Newport Beach, CA
- 2005 “Projekt30“ On-line Juried Exhibition
- 2003 “Newport Beach Spring Juried Show” Newport Beach, CA
- 2002 “Newport Beach Juried Photography Show” (3rd) Newport Beach, CA
- 2001 “Contemporary Art Benefit Auction” HBAC, Huntington Beach, CA
- 2001 “Newport Beach Juried Photography Show” (awarded) Newport Beach, CA
- 2001 “Newport Beach Fall Juried Show” (awarded) Newport Beach, CA
- 2001 “Inner City Arts“ Benefit Auction, Beverly Hills, CA
- 2001 “Centered on the Center“ Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach, CA
- 2000 Left Bank Gallery, Dove Canyon, CA
- 1999 “Chunky Heels” Memphis Cafe, Costa Mesa, CA
- 1997 “Lord of the Flies“ Spanish Kitchen, Los Angeles, CA
- 1996 “Gallery Paridisio” Costa Mesa, CA
- Justin Timberlake, Los Angeles, CA
- Alyssa Milano, Los Angeles, CA
- Charlie Sheen, Los Angeles, CA
- Rose McGowen, Los Angeles, CA
- Brian Kraus, Los Angeles, CA
- Shaun and Scott Blokker, Los Angeles, CA
- Private Collection, Nashvile, TN
- Private Collection, Marina Del Rey, CA
- Private Collection, Berkley, CA
- Private Collection, New Port Beach, CA
- 1998 Art Institute of Southern California, Laguna Beach, CA
- 1997 Art Center, Pasadena, CA
Illustrated the Charmed Book of Shadows, CW, Aaron Spelling Productions, CA Commissioned art for the officies of E-Society, Newport Beach, CA
