Meet Renee Phillips: Process Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renee Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk excites me. Without risk there is no reward, but I didn’t always think this way. In 2011, my husband and I both quit our illustrious NYC careers to travel the world together. We spent the first few months exploring Southeast Asia, and then road tripped through France, landing in Paris for an extended 3 month stay. Upon our return back to the States, our mindset had shifted, and that is when we both decided to pursue a separate career path – mine as artist. I turned our small alcove studio nook into my art studio and began experimenting with various materials – polymers, paper, acrylic, spray paint, ink. I began manipulating the paint in ways that was not taught to me in art school, and it was resulting in really unique things. It was exciting, but it was risky and I knew I needed time. I spent the next 3 years deep in alchemical experimentation before officially showing my work. It was risky, and I had to get a part time job to secure me financially because I knew that my art would not sustain my financial needs, and I didn’t need that pressure. Both the experimentation process took risk, as did the decision to become an artist; to put my unique process orientated work into the world for all eyes to see. Over the years I’ve gained enough confidence in my practice that I can take risks every day in the art studio, and know that even the failures will turn into learning lessons, and probably a new authentic technique of creation. It’s exciting.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a process-based artist, which means I’m most excited about the process of creation! Both the physicality of pouring and spraying the paint, and the alchemical experimentation that goes into making each piece. I’m also a lover of color, and have been studying how to achieve sculptural like results from each color for the past few years. Each color responds differently to the effects of elemental manipulation (wind, water, heat and gravity); some droop and pool, others ripple or crack. I call this the “signature effect” of color, and discovering each colors signature effect is at the basis of my art practice. I hope viewers can recognize my work for its vibrant color selection and undulating textural effects.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them on a exploration of Floridas beautiful beaches and parks, with stops at my favorite restaurants along the way. We would start a few mornings with sunrise at the beach. I’m partial to staying local, so we would take my golf cart, named “Woody” to the Northern end of Delray Beach and take in the beautiful sights, sounds and feels of the ocean at sunrise. Then we would go to my favorite local breakfast spot, Two Fat BrEGGfast for a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit sandwich, and a whipped iced coffee. This would get us nicely energized for a full day kayaking and biking through Riverbed Park in Jupiter. I recently discovered this park and have been drawn to its magical energy almost weekly. I’m also a real homebody, and my husband and I take on a lot of projects around our house. We recently finished turning a portion of our front yard into a beach, complete with swings, a fire pit and a hammock, so we would spend plenty of time just chilling out and enjoying our time together. Lastly, we’d venture down to Miami or hop along the Keys. I love Florida for it’s variety of culture, food and nature. In Miami we’d be sure to hit Versailles for cortaditos and guava pastries, tour the beautiful Perez art museum, and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Making our way down to the Keys we’d hit Robbie’s to feed the tarpon and eat as many fish sandwiches as possible along the way! We’d land for a nice relaxing stay at the Bungalows. Sounds heavenly.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is dedicated to Eydi Lampasona, my art mentor and “fairy art-mother” who reignited my passion for art, and who taught me new ways of exploring materials. She was a teacher at the Boca Raton Museum Art School, teaching continuing education mixed media classes, and that is where I discovered the magic of alchemy.

Website: https://artistreneephillips.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneephillips/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUOXNAhEhPY4HCgpVMpGmSQ
Other: https://vimeo.com/reneephillips

Image Credits
David DeSouza