Liz Phillips
Artist Liz Phillips considers her paintings to be labors of love. Admitting it is a form of escapism, she is easily absorbed by the details and subtleties of her subjects. Her main muse has always been the natural environment, but she is inspired by color that sings, lighting that dramatizes a subject or any scene that tells a story or captures a moment worth remembering, whether quirky or sublime. She has traveled to many places near and far, but can also find inspiration in her immediate surroundings.
Working from her own photos, notes and memory, Phillips uses her computer and colored pencils—a previous medium of choice as a commercial illustrator for many years—to create an image that feels “canvas worthy.” She paints what she calls “the bones” of the image and then gradually adds and fine-tunes the details. Phillips says, “The act of painting itself transports me away from the noise of everyday life, and I can get lost in it. It’s my hope that the finished piece does the same for the viewer and also communicates at least some of the story it spoke to me.”
Born in 1960, raised and still living in Wisconsin, Phillips’ work can regularly be seen at galleries throughout the state. Currently she exhibits at the Gallery of Wisconsin Art in West Bend; Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor; and Sadler Gallery in Milwaukee. Her website includes all of her work and current events, while her monthly newsletter gives followers the first glimpse of each new piece.