ArtIST: Carol Philips

What made you decide to go back for your doctorate?
I was fascinated by how engagement with the arts contributed to the well-being of people who don't identify themselves as artists.

Tell us more about the materials you use to create your artwork.
[I use] supplies that are associated with "lesser" arts or crafts. These include fabric, sequins, ribbons, and glitter. Second, I use natural and found objects, from flower petals to candy wrappers. I'm also inordinately fond of office and hardware supplies, especially staples.

What made you switch from paint to mixed media?
I consider the mixed media work that I do now to be "painting with stuff." I love to work with [these materials] and I love what they bring visually to the finished work. In addition, some contribute to the mystical feeling that I attempt to create and convey, and others to my connection with nature.

Tell us more about this "mystical feeling" that you convey with your art.
[It's] my sense of reality, a reality that involves change, ambiguity, and mystery.

What else inspires your work?
Like many artists, I'm inspired by everything I see from skies and roses to peeling paint. Beyond that, I'm inspired by every sort of unexpected juxtaposition. By memories, feelings, thoughts. Rock and roll lyrics. Quilts. The materials themselves coupled with the exhilarating process of creating. One consistent source of inspiration has been esoteric concepts, most notably Jewish mysticism, and the texts that contain them.

Do you feel that your work speaks to a specific audience?
Collectors of my work are a wide range of people. Some are attracted to the texture and color, some to the minimal imagery or materials, and some to the feel of the pieces. Artists of all varieties tend to like it. I'm committed to having everyone who is moved by my work not only to see it, but to be able to own it, regardless of space and budget constraints. For that reason, in addition to showing original pieces in a range of prices and sizes, including the very small, I also offer unique prints, color copies that I embellish with materials used in the originals.

So far, what have been highlights of your time spent living here in Philadelphia?
The community garden at the Schuylkill Environmental Center, where I feel like I'm farming in the country within the borders of the city. My first Philly art experience was this fall's Philadelphia Open Studio Tours where my work received a warm welcome. I'm excited about building on that welcome by making and teaching art in my new home.

As someone who has had a very full and accomplished career, what advice can you offer emerging artists?
For life: When I was in my early twenties, my grandma told me "grab it while you're young." I'm still doing that.
For art: The advice that I now give to students [is to] be thankful for what appear to be mistakes. They're gifts that open doors to the unanticipated.

Carol Philips will be participating in Snowflake Salon, an invitational group show, from December 3, 2010 through February 19, 2011. She will be at the 110 Church Gallery from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. this Saturday, December 18, with additional pieces as part of a series of artist conversations.