RICHARD BAKER
Squamish Nation
Richard is an international known artist for his Northwest Coast Art. Richard’s entire lineage has been native artists, recorded from his maternal grandmother, Katherine Scow, who was of the KwaKawk’kwa Peoples in the Northwest Pacific Coast Region.
Baker started carving out of curiosity rather than a career. At the young age of 12 he watched his father and other carvers creating beautiful totem poles and masks out of cedar wood, he then picked up a carving knife and started to create his own pieces of work. His curiosity turned into his passion, a passion of learning and creating, which has led to a regular clientele base and an interest in his work from admirers around the world.
After many years of mastering the carving techniques on wood, Richie decided to take on metal. Learning the intricate details of engraving precious metals such as gold, platinum, silver and copper brought him another passion of creating North West designs that admirers near and far all appreciate.
In 1996, Richie has established his own studio at Capilano Reserve in North Vancouver completing custom orders for weddings, anniversaries, and other personal and business gifts. He has been commissioned by a number of Corporations and First Nations organizations throughout Canada for Jewellery as well as cedar woodcarvings.
Richie is a community-based person and takes upon himself to help out other artists, especially the young generation, by supporting their work and their aspirations. Richie has three sons who also are gifted and talented artists in their own right.