Local teacher encourages artistic expression
Events aim to reach every skill level by pairing painting with social settings
TEXARKANA, Texas — Shea Phillips has pursued a life in art, and has made a living at it, both as a teacher at Texas High and in her business partnership, ColorHypeTXK. This weekend, she was teaching students at Redbone Magic how to paint their pets.
This passion and pursuit of the arts dates back to when she was a student at Texas High. A lifelong Texarkana resident, except for he col
lege years, her desire to pursue creative expression and somehow make a living at it was in her mind all along.
Phillips graduated from THS in 2005. She then attended University of North Texas in Denton, where she was a double major in painting and drawing and also did visual studies.
She did an internship at the Modern Art Museum in Dallas, Texas, where she got to lead high school students. This is where she discovered the desire to teach.
“I liked it, teaching these high school students, being in the mentor role,” she said.
After Phillips graduated, she returned to Texarkana and taught art for 10 years, eventually returning to her high school alma mater as an art teacher. She began exploring opportunities outside the formal classroom and pursing business possibilities.
“In 2014, I began working with Painting With A Twist,” she said. “I loved it. It was nice to interact with adults. I left to care for my newborn son. When the time was right, I wanted to return to that kind of work, but do it for myself, set my own schedule and the like.”
So Phillips began teaching classes at places like Graham Slam Bakery. Eventually, she heard from a friend and fellow professional artist in Dallas who hosted mobile paint parties called ColorHype.
“She offered me a chance to be the Texarkana partner,” Phillips said. “I took her up on it and things went great from the beginning. But then, COVID hit, which put a damper on public gatherings and the like for some time. So the business was modified for the restrictions, with paint kits being sold out of places like Redbone
Magic, along with meals.”
She said class attendance was down through much of last year. This year, it has picked back up.
She has been teaching classes as ColorHypeTXK at Redbone Magic, as well as 67 Landing and Red River Brew Pub in Shreveport.
For those with a passion for the arts, there are many avenues for professional expression.
“Today’s technology and opportunity gives someone who wants to do this many routes to make a living at it,” she said. “It just comes down to educating yourself and deciding to pursue the dream.”
For those who want to just make it a hobby, or explore that part of themselves, she believes most people have some artistic ability in them.
“These classes are for just those sorts of people,” Phillips said. “This will give you a chance to try it out, to explore a little.”