Audrey Phillips

Growing up on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico Audrey Phillips’ love of momentarily suspending herself underwater allowed her a visual and visceral experience that continues to inspire her studio practice. Audrey received her BFA from the University of Florida and has exhibited in solo and group shows in Florida and across the US. Her work can be found in corporate and private collections in the United States and internationally. In 2019, 54 of her paintings were acquired by the University of Tampa.

Artist Q & A:

How has growing up in Florida influenced the abstract elements of your art?

Florida’s wildly exotic landscape provides me endless inspiration. From the expansive sky to the dense tropical foliage, this mysterious piece of earth provides a gateway into rich sensations, thoughts and emotions. At a young age, I loved immersing myself in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, enveloped by something much larger than myself, magically familiar and comforting. When I opened my eyes underwater, the visual experience was otherworldly, blurred and beautiful, peaceful — one that engaged more than the eye. In the studio, my painting process mimics this childhood experience. Suspended in a transcendent space, the painting process allows me to tap into my senses and reveal a visual language that is both personal and universal.

You mentioned the “sacred space” between yourself and nature, a space that allows for healing and inspiration. How do you hope viewers engage with this space when they encounter your work?

Being in nature is as vital as being in my studio. Both places feed off each other. Both experiences command presence, a calling to quiet the chatter, expand into silence and observe sensations. The abstract nature of my paintings often compels the viewer to stop and linger as they ‘almost recognize’ something palpable. It is in this moment that the mind opens to see nature through my lens, hopefully providing a welcome moment of renewal and healing in our anxiety-filled world.

Read the full interview and grab a copy of the Winter Edition of Art Seen, published December 2024.

See more from the artist at: www.audreyphillips.com