Illustrator Phil graciously lets us peek into his underground world. Take a moment to learn about the method-behind-the-masterpiece and what keeps this multidisciplinary artist moving and motivated.
Where is your studio?
I call it my basement atelier. In our house, everyone always knew where to find the basement dweller. When any of our three children came home from school, I told them they didn’t have to come and say hello, but at least stomp on the floor and yell ”I’m home!”. At least I knew who was at the front door. We communicated through code. It used to scare the heck out of me when I saw a figure standing at the studio doorway. So, I arranged a light switch on the outside of my studio door so visitors, question-askers, and dinner calls could notify me by flipping the light switch off and on once or twice. Morse code for the creative in the basement.
How have you made your space functional for your process?
I move around a lot when I work. I sit in a bar stool that I more or less lean on. My work is very messy. I am constantly sanding, drilling, scraping and hammering and so on. I work with my artwork flat and my tools spread around on a very large table. I have lots of lighting and all walls and surfaces are fair game to attach reference images or inspirational items.
Tell us a bit about your computer set up.
I used my old computer for a long time in my studio. It’s a mac 450 mhz g4 from 1999 but I have since upgraded my setup to a 2010 mac mini. I scan artwork on my epson tabloid format scanner. In another, cleaner office space a 2012 mac mini is my main computer where I can edit images and store all my digital files.
What ‘decorates’ your space?
References, sketches and ideas are all haphazardly spread around me. I have lots of 1950’s car emblems and hood ornaments, signage and bric-a-brac throughout. I have a library of books and reference stored beside my studio.
What do you do to set the mood for work?
I have a small window where I can see outside. That way I can feel smugly justified being a basement troll when it’s raining or knee deep in snow. My studio is always in a heck-of-a-mess when working, but between projects I clean up, reorganize and reset. While my studio is messy, everywhere else in the house has to be clean and tidy. I couldn’t function without vibrating if there was visual clutter everywhere.
What inspirational item is a must for your space?
I listen to the radio during the day where I get all my news and understanding of the world beyond my basement window. Otherwise I listen to podcasts. The talking chatter of radio and podcasts is a white noise for me. I rarely listen to music as it seems to clutter my brain.
What, if anything would you change about your space? Any dream setups that you aspire to?
When we visited relatives in a small town in Germany, they had a work studio that looked over rolling hills, a forest and farmers fields. Oh geez, I would love that space for my studio. Growing up in Saskatchewan, seeing into the distance and discerning a horizon line is important to me. That said, when we rent a cottage in the summer, I set up my painting table dock side and paint away! I can work away focused on a small panel, and then take a break and I can walk away to a cottage retreat with a view.
