JOHN DAY – Pioneer Bank’s Artist of the Month of August is Cindy Baker of Mt. Vernon, who paints and decorates birdhouses.

“I’m having fun with it,” Baker said. And it shows. The birdhouses are made by a woodworking friend in a variety of styles. When Baker receives them, she contemplates how to decorate them with painting and other attached items. The finished products are for sale at gift shops in town – Faith Mountain Art Gallery and Spoiled Sisters Gift Shoppe.

All kinds of arts and crafts have been part of Baker’s life for years. She enjoys quilting, beaded jewelry, watercolor painting and has tried her hand with oils. She also refinishes and reupholsters furniture and finds much enjoyment with decorating.

Baker’s mother, Kathy Ropp of Mt. Vernon, also shares the creativity. “We’re an arts and crafts type of family,” Barker said.

She lives at Mt. Vernon with her husband, Charles. They have three daughters, Andrea Barnes and Deanna Bezona of Mt. Vernon and Alicia Weatherby of Bend. Baker was raised at Bend and has previously operated restaurants in Central Oregon, Mt. Vernon and John Day.