I was in a slump – now my art is in Billie Eilish’s house

Sylvie Baker found herself in a creative rut, unsure if her dedication to painting was worth continuing. That changed when a buyer in Los Angeles purchased one of her colorful artworks for £800, bringing her a sense of relief. The surprise came later, however, as she discovered the purchaser was none other than Billie Eilish, the rising pop star.

Baker, who had viewed art as a casual pursuit, began treating it more seriously last year. Her early work focused on realistic depictions, but two years ago, she shifted toward bold combinations of reds and blues, which marked a turning point in her style. The recognition from Eilish, known for songs like *Bad Guy* and *Birds of a Feather*, has since amplified her visibility. Her Instagram account, which had around 5,000 followers, has seen a notable boost in attention and sales following the pop star’s acquisition of her “Fire Horses” piece.

“She did not have to let me know it was her, I would have been happy just selling the picture, but the fact that she reached out is really incredible,” Baker said.

Baker, a fan of Glastonbury 2022’s headline act, was initially unaware the buyer was Eilish, as the artwork was purchased under another name. “I guess [my art] must have just come up on her feed or something,” she mused. The revelation left her in disbelief, with her partner asking if the moment was genuine, fearing it might be a trick.

“Absolutely in love with your work. I just ordered your fire horses on canvas. So excited.”

The event underscored the impact of social media on artistic exposure. “I have so much respect for [Eilish] and the things she says and makes,” Baker remarked. This unexpected validation has reignited her confidence, as she noted, “Something that I made in my kitchen over there is now in like one of the biggest pop stars’ houses, or wherever she put it.”

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