Phil Smith
Phil was born in central Illinois, the middle son of two junior high school teachers. He spent many hours in his father’s darkroom, fascinated as negatives transformed into photographic prints. Music also played a central role in his life; he was both a singer and violinist, active in choral and instrumental groups throughout school. He eventually built a career as a secondary music and theatre teacher and administrator in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
Beginning at age nine, Phil accompanied his father each Saturday morning to a four-hour open art studio for young people while his father pursued a Master’s Degree. Even after his father completed the degree, Phil continued attending until his junior year of high school when he turned to focus on his future career in music and theatre education.
Although committed to teaching, Phil longed to become a painter, translating images from his SLR film camera onto canvas during school breaks. While framing several photographs, a nearby artist encouraged him to exhibit at an outdoor fair. On July 4, 1974, he held his first exhibit at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. He continued adding shows, and in 1982, his future wife gave him an airbrush, inspiring the mixed-media photo collage style that became his artistic path.
Recently we chatted with Phil. Continue reading.
Q - How do you decide on the themes or subjects of your pieces? Is there a particular message you aim to convey?
A - Architecture and graphics have always been of interest to me... and I like the "feel" of creating things with my hands. Working with original photographs and combining them with other material and media to tell NEW stories about the doors, windows, buildings, signage that are the subjects of each piece... just "feels" right! These things are oftentimes rapidly disappearing, so if I can present them in novel or unexpected ways, they might never disappear!
Q - How do you stay motivated and find inspiration, especially during creative blocks?
A - When I have trouble getting to work, I try to remember what makes the work playful. I cruise the art of others through social media and gallery visits, and I talk with other artist friends about their process. I also still love to teach, and by offering classes at the SAAG Gallery, I get inspired by what the workshop participants create... they do not have the constraints we often place on our own artistic creativity by knowing too much about the technical side of what it is we do!
Q - What is the greatest reward of your work?
Being a member of the SAAG Gallery is wonderful! Seeing close up the work of others and being able to KNOW the artists and count them as friends is a fabulous reward. But the greatest reward is having my work chosen by people I do not know, and having them value it as part of their home and their lives!
Q - What are your future goals with your work?
A - I want to get back to painting... but painting that will include the subjects I enjoy and will incorporate the dimensionality I strive to create with my more sculptural work.
Q - What medium/s do you work in?
A - I begin every piece of work with one or several original photographs I have taken... after that, I add torn or antique paper, vintage stamps, book pages, beads, acrylic or watercolor paint, pastel, dyes, old blueprints, wood, wire, wooden letters, small toys, glue and other adhesives, cloth, buttons, pins... to create Mixed-Media Photo Collage!
Q - How long have you been a SAAG member and how has your membership benefited you? What is your volunteer position with SAAG?
A - I joined the SAAG Gallery at the beginning of February, 2021, and have enjoyed many wonderful experiences! I have made many new friends, attended lovely events, enjoyed fabulous art and sold more work than I expected! I have learned a great deal and appreciate the opportunity to share what I do with others. Currently, I serve as both Reconciliation Coordinator and Lead Cashier Trainer. I work closely with the MANY delightful people of the SAAG Guild and Gallery.
Q - Any final thoughts you would like to share with our readers?
A- The SAAG Guild and Gallery provide numerous opportunities for learning, personal enrichment and involvement... one just needs to take the first step and try something new!
Phil Smith can be found online here:
Website: www.philsmith-photoarts.com
Email: photoarts@comcast.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phil.smith.334
Instagram: @ps410
