Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Phillips.
Brian, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve always been drawn to creating things from discarded items. I found it more interesting than just buying materials. People engaged with it more because it grabbed their attention because it was different or an item they noticed. About 15 years ago, I had a small pile of scrap wood from a home improvement job at my first house. I began assembling the pieces to a piece of scrap plywood. Once I began painting on it, I was immediately hooked to the different dimensional aspects. A few years after that, I realized I was painting over some very interesting old wood with a lot of nail holes, paint drips and tacks which with all of their character, should just be left alone and let it shine on its own, tell its story all over. “Who painted that wood?” “Why was the tack used?” “Who drove the nails into the wood?” It all gets my imagination running. I’ve always been intrigued by wood that has been painted a million times, with the drips and scrapes. It all happened very organically that I began using it in my art.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My name is Brian Phillips and I’m a fulltime artist in Austin, TX. I create works from salvaged wood that I find or people give me. It all has a history/story that I feel deserves a second chance at life. If walls could talk, what kind of stories do you think they would tell? The stories they overheard? The times they sheltered people from a big storm? I try and educate people on how wasteful our society is. This beautiful commodity that is just tossed into the trash is fully reusable in most cases. Use what’s available to you and create something from basically what amounts to trash and make something beautiful. It’s an amazing feeling. I hope to inspire others to look at what’s around us, use your imagination and create.
I’m a self-taught artist and my artwork is collected internationally. My studio is a converted 20′ shipping container. My commute traffic consists of our two German Shepherds.
How can artists connect with other artists?
Reach out to other artists in your community. You’ll be surprised how many are happy to help you connect with places to show or other artists. It really just takes taking the time to network and find the artists you click with. If there is a Creative Mornings chapter in your area, they are an excellent place to network or just meet other creatives.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I currently have work showing at ASSEMBLAGE Contemporary Craftsman Gallery, Buda. TX, Yard Dog, Austin, TX and Austin Art Garage, Austin, TX.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbybrianphillips.com
- Email: brianphillipsemail@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoondaddy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbybrianphillips/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/twittersucksbecauseorangedictatorsusetwitter
Image Credit:
Personal photo: Lumiere Tintype • Austin, TX
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