This bird with painted flowers is one of Virginia Baker’s favorite ceramic pieces.
Ardell Roberts
Virginia Baker moved to PebbleCreek in March of 2020, just in time for the COVID shutdown. She used that time at home to set up her house and settle in. She grew up in the panhandle of Idaho, but has lived in Arizona for more than 50 years. She and her husband raised their children in Williams, Ariz. She and her family also had a townhouse in Glendale, where they would visit in the winter as “sort-of” snowbirds. In July of 2021, when some of the COVID restrictions lifted, like most of us, she went looking for things to do in PebbleCreek. She tried ceramics and enjoyed making various projects. She also sings with the PC Singers and attends PebbleCreek Community Church.
Virginia has always been involved with different types of crafting. She sewed, did macramé, and made jewelry. She sewed clothing for her children and even made leisure suits (there’s a flashback!) for her husband. She made her daughter’s and her daughter-in-law’s wedding dresses.
Virginia never thought of herself as an artist, but thought she might be capable of ceramics. She made a couple of pots for her dining room as her first ceramics project. They are still in her dining room, still awaiting plants. Virginia has used several ceramics techniques in the projects she made for herself, her family, and her friends, who also enjoy her ceramics projects. She particularly likes painting with acrylics on ceramic pieces. She’s working on a very large pot, using a glaze called Copper Adventurine to be placed in her front yard. We all look forward to oohing and aahing over the finished piece. Virginia says that both ceramics teachers are great, and she especially credits Linda for encouraging her to try new techniques. Her favorite piece is a bird with painted flowers.
Virginia taught school for a few years, then moved into accounting. She spent much of her 30-year career as a credit manager. Virginia retired seven years ago. She enjoys having most of her family nearby and sees them often. She has wonderful neighbors who all moved into the neighborhood about the same time she did, and they continue to frequently enjoy good times together.