'I was in a slump - now my art is in Billie Eilish's house'

Like many artists do at some point, Sylvie Baker was suffering from a slump, pondering whether she should keep pursuing her passion of painting.

So when someone in Los Angeles bought one of her vibrantly-hued pieces for £800, she said she was "really happy".

But things took an unexpected turn when she checked her Instagram messages and saw the buyer was none other than global pop star Billie Eilish.

"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 said art was "mainly a hobby" for her, until she started taking it seriously last year.

She said her focus had previously been on realism, but it shifted about two years ago when she began experimenting with reds and blues.

On Instagram, Baker has racked up about 5,000 followers, but has experienced increased publicity and sales since Eilish, known for hits Bad Guy and Birds of a Feather, snapped up her Fire Horses piece.

She said she can now look for studio space after the US star's purchase gave her more exposure.

Baker, who is a fan of the Glastonbury 2022 headliner, had no idea Eilish had ordered the print as it was purchased under a different name.

"I guess [my art] must have just come up on her feed or something," Baker said.

"It is crazy... I was sat on the sofa with my partner and I was just like, 'is this, is that real?' I thought it was just like a scam or something."

While Baker said she "loved anyone" who liked her art enough to buy it, she added it had felt "really validating" for a star as big as Eilish to appreciate it.

In a message to Baker, the 24-year-old singer said: "Absolutely in love with your work. I just ordered your fire horses on canvas. So excited."

Baker, who mostly uses oil and acrylic paint, said the "crazy" situation had made her realise how powerful social media can be.

She added: "I have so much respect for [Eilish] and the things she says and makes.

"I was in a little bit of a slump, I wasn't really sure what to do with my career... but stuff like that just proves that you've got to keep going, do what you love, and it will pay off eventually.

"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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