About the Artist

Phil Boatwright was born on March 30, 1962 and grew up in Mesquite, Texas. He graduated from North Mesquite High School in 1980. The next year, Phil enrolled in the art program at East Texas State University, where he majored in illustration with a minor in fine art. While at ETSU, he had the opportunity to study with Don Punchatz, C.F. Payne, Charles McGough, and Karl Umlauf. After graduating college in 1986, Phil started his career in freelance illustration. He worked for such clients as American Airlines, Pepsi, Fossil Watches, and magazines such as National Geographic, Esquire, Arizona Highways, D, and Yankee. He also illustrated books for publishers Houghton Mifflin and Random House, among others.

In 1992, Phil decided to transition to portrait painting. He spent the next five years building up a portfolio of portraits between illustration jobs. In 1998, he had the opportunity to meet esteemed portrait artist Joe Bowler. Mr. Bowler’s guidance assisted Phil in transitioning from illustration to portraiture. Phil says, “Joe gave me crucial information about painting and color that enabled me to become a successful portrait artist.” By 1999, he was painting portraits full-time.

Recently, Phil has been taking time to work on paintings for himself, which include landscapes and still lifes. He hopes to do more of his own work in the future. Phil continues to paint portraits for clients across the U.S. His painting technique is inspired by Rembrandt, Velazquez, Turner, and Andrew Wyeth, among many others.

Exhibitions

 2018

Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition- Mary Williams Fine Arts, Boulder, CO

Oil Painters Of America 27th National Exhibition- Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO 

  Best Associate Award of Excellence

2017

Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition – Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St. George, UT

Bosque Art Classic – Bosque Art Center, Clifton, TX

Finalist, Art Muse Online Contest

2016

Texas Top 10 Competition, Portrait Society of America 

Bosque Art Classic – Bosque Art Center, Clifton, TX

Finalist, Members Only Competition, Portrait Society of America

2015

Finalist, RayMar Art Online Contest

2001

Honorable Mention, International Portrait Competition, American Society of Portrait Artists – Art Students' League