A Workspace Reveal with i2i Art Illustrator Phil
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.
Phil illustrates Car and Driver's '10 Best'
Car and Driver’s '10 Best' features the nostalgic, hand-painted illustration of Toronto-based artist, Phil. An inspired choice, Art Director Darin Johnson commissioned Phil to interpret 10 contemporary cars in his unique style.
Phil Illustrates Snowdrops
Spring is in the air and with this new season comes a sense of hope. It’s this feeling of hope that brought illustrator Phil and poet Hanna Robinson together. Both inspired by the snowdrop flower and the wonders of the natural world. Hanna, looking for a visual to accompany her poem, came across Phil’s painting of snowdrops and felt that it spoke to her. With isolation becoming part of our daily lives it’s wonderful to see that Phil’s art and Hanna’s poem connected them through ideas of growth and resiliency, themes that are often present in Phil’s work.
Phil illustrates scenes with a story
Illustrator Phil creates truly unique pieces of art that subtly evoke emotion. Painting with acrylic on wood, he distresses each illustration by hand. The weathered and worn quality of his work combined with the layering of tones and textures add depth and set the mood for the story being told.
Phil illustrates for Country Gardens Magazine
Illustrator Phil has enjoyed a long and collaborative working relationship with art director Nick Crow at Country Gardens magazine. Working on quarterly issues for over 10 years has built a reciprocal sense of trust and allowed for a creative freedom that illustrators do not take for granted.