Wesley R. Baker

ELMHURST, IL - After spending the past few decades sometimes working 70 hours a week, Wesley Baker is taking his life into his own hands, er, paintbrush.

After a career primarily in the construction field, Baker, 61, has spent the past five years turning to his first love: oil-based painting. After he and his wife, Suzanne, had raised two sons, Baker’s construction position was eliminated. He has dedicated his time to creating motorcycle-themed paintings, which will be on display and for sale at an art show later this month.

“Before I was married, I was surviving doing artwork,” Baker said. “When we got married, it was game over and I had to get a real job.”

Today, Baker’s Elmhurst home and garage studio are filled with his motorcycle-themed artwork, which retails in the mid-$3,000 range. He also sells prints for about $75. Baker works on individual paintings for weeks at a time, making the price well worth it, he said.

“I combined my two passions: My artwork, which I’ve been blessed with, or challenged with, since grammar school, and (motorcycles),” Baker said. “It’s very dangerous and very exhilarating.”

Some of Baker’s paintings have been inspired by family members, such as his cousin Diane, whom he portrays in just shoes and underwear on the back of a motorcycle. He said he once took her on a ride and she moved her arms back and forth, thus creating the idea of the painting.

“Her only complaint was that I made her thighs look too big,” Baker said.

Baker said he will stick with the motorcycle theme he’s working with long past the show. He and his wife both ride them, and he said members of his family have done so for a long time before he came along.

“I’m sticking with this. There’s more to explore and develop. I find I’m passionate about this,” Baker said.

Suzanne Baker, who has a 9-to-5 job, said she is excited about her husband’s upcoming show.

“It’s sort of what he’s hoping will launch his career,” she said. “He’s very serious about it, paints every day, and his style in unique within the realm of the motorcycle-themed artwork.”

Also helping Baker make the career change is his wife’s support and a $750 matching grant from the Illinois Arts Council for the show.

“My wife has helped me and allowed me to go back and do this,” Baker said. “I think once this stuff gets out and is seen, it will start creating its own market.”