Pistachios Inspire Community-Minded Stow Artist

Corlette T. Baylock, Sr. of Stow has made a name for himself in the arts community: The Pistachio Artist.

With a tapestry of life experience that includes clerical work in a psychological-warfare unit of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, inaugural work in using art therapy with psychiatric patients in Indianapolis and a career in banking operations in Cleveland, he has found that what he most wants in life is, well, just nuts.

Using the shells from pistachios, Baylock has created countless scenes, from the faces of a church choir to the egg of a dinosaur, as well pieces such as over-sized guitars promoting the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, toilet-seat covers and men’s neckties.

“I’ve done walnuts, pecans and almonds. But, pistachios, the size, they’re just raised enough that when you glue them to a flat surface, the shadows fall just right and makes the whole thing look kind of three-dimensional,” he said.

Baylock, 66, recalls first coming upon the idea in the early 1980s, as an attempt to distract his children while they sat waiting to see a physician.

“The kids were bored out of their minds. I just happened to have these pistachio shells and I’m thinking, ‘Wow. What can I do with my kids to keep them entertained?’” Baylock said.

He began drawing faces on the shells with a pencil, then picked up some magazines in the waiting room and matched the shells to images of people.

“I found some pages where the figures were small enough that the pistachio faces were perfect; the size lined up really well. I lined up the shells and started making different expressions. The kids started laughing, and other kids started getting involved,” he said.

Soon, Baylock’s interest in creating art with pistachio shells became an “obsession,” he admitted. He began receiving shells from people all over the world. He has been interviewed for both local and national public radio programs, and had a tribute to him read into the U.S. Congressional Record  by Former Rep. Louis Stokes during Stokes’ tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. Stokes had described Baylock, a Cleveland constituent at the time, as “a man of exceptional and unique talent,” thanking Baylock for his contributions to both the art world and the community.

As a Stow resident for more than a decade, Baylock continues his community involvement. A pistachio-festooned violin he decorated as part of “Sweet Melodies,” an upcoming fund-raising effort for the Children’s Concert Society of Akron, is among violins decorated by 12 area artists who donated their talent to benefit the non-profit organization, which fosters music awareness among school-age children throughout the region.

Executive Director Patricia Lehnhart said the organization reached out to Baylock after seeing his artwork on display at Hardesty Park in Akron. Unsure how to contact Baylock, they tracked him down on Facebook. Baylock immediately agreed to participate, she said.

“He had never heard of us. We contacted him, cold, and he was so gracious and so warm,” Lehnhart said.“His is actually my favorite [violin], because he has one of his little nut people holding a sign that says, ‘Children’s Concert Society’ on it. It’s awesome,” she said.

A setback in 2007 hit Baylock hard, when the van he was driving on his way to an art show in Indianapolis caught fire. Although no one was injured, virtually all the art pieces he had created to that point were destroyed. Baylock, however, said he continues to build and improve his portfolio of pistachio-shell art.

“Each year, I see the technique has gotten better, more involved. But, that’s just the way things happen. The more you do it, the better you get,” he said.

Largely self-taught as an artist, he values the way collaborating on art projects can bring people together.

“I try to get everybody involved in things, take possession of it. It’s a fun way to connect,” Baylock said.

Kristin Nauffts, his partner of 15 years, met Baylock in Cleveland when a photographer for her talent-management business at the time, United Talent Group, had a studio in the same, downtown arcade where Baylock had his studio. The couple moved to Stow to be closer to her family in Hudson and Western Reserve Academy, from which her son and daughter, Sasha and Persy Sample, graduated. Nauffts described Baylock’s art as “very whimsical.”

“When he goes to schools or organizations, people really take to it, kids and adults alike,” she said. Baylock agreed, and said he does not want his pieces to be "taken too seriously.”

“I wanted it to be nutty. People get engaged in it. It’s a lot of fun,” he said.

Baylock said he will continue to use the medium he pioneered in his artwork, although it may be a while before he needs to dig into a bowl of pistachios to save the shells.

“I’ve got more pistachio shells than I can use in my lifetime,” Baylock said.

For more information, visit Art on the Halfshell or go to The Pistachio Artist on Facebook. Baylock also can be reached on his “shellphone” at 330-204-4686.

Pre-registration is required by March 18 for the “Sweet Melodies” event to benefit the Children’s Concert Society of Akron, which will take place March 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairlawn Country Club. For more information, call Patricia Lehnhart at 330-972-2504.