North Carolina is the home of renowned landscape painter Phillip Philbeck. His subjects, mountains, rolling piedmont, and coastal views, hold great appeal with magnificent vistas, wide sandy shores, wonderful spring and fall foliage. Born in Washington, D.C., but a resident since very early childhood and presently living in rural Rutherford County, the artist enjoys the surroundings in which he grew up and is inspired to paint its farms, streams, ponds, coast or anything to which he feels an emotional attachment. Painting from his comfortable studio in his home, the artist only has to venture outside to find inspiration for his next landscape.

Philbeck’s canvases reveal his immense talent in a profusion of details, and he is especially known for the skies in his images.  “The sky sets the basic tone for my landscapes,” states the artist.  Textures, shapes, and contrasts derived from many of nature’s wonders are painted in vibrant colors; with interesting juxtaposition, the artist bathes his scenes in a dramatic light and atmosphere.  Although Philbeck very much admires realism, he has a tendency toward the romantic, emotional types of images such as the Hudson River School brought forth.

Growing up, the artist drew and painted whenever he could.  With a heritage of an artistic and creative family, Philbeck’s father, who also painted, encouraged his son and nurtured the budding artist’s talents.  Although basically self-taught, young Philbeck attended college where he was mentoured by instructors who saw a passion and talent that they encouraged the artist to pursue.  At the age of only 24, Philbeck began publishing limited edition prints, with many releases having sold out.

Philbeck has a natural attraction to familiar places and things.  He recalls fondly exploring the wooded landscapes of neighboring hills and mountains of his childhood, and he puts these many memories on his canvases.  The artist’s greatest enjoyment comes from knowing that viewers can relate to his paintings or be taken back to a time when nature was a new, awe-inspiring adventure.

When he is not painting, Philbeck enjoys constructing his own stretchers for his canvases and also possesses the talent to create frames for some of his paintings.  The artist sometimes enjoys relaxing moments creating music with his guitar.

 More information about Phillip Philbeck can be found at www.phillipphilbeck.com