That thick-bearded artist from Langley, who resembles Santa and who many met when he ran a longstanding art store in downtown Langley City, may have retired from the retail business.
But the 72-year-old Murrayville artist is far from taking on a sedentary lifestyle as he ages – as apparent by his recent visit to the B.C. Interior for the 75th anniversary celebration of Manning Park [Park painting marks 75th, July 14, Langley Advance] and now the work he’s putting into planning the fourth annual West Fine Art Show (www.westart.ca) at Thunderbird Park in mid-August.
It’s a summer of parties for Phillips.
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This upcoming show and sale is a charity event benefiting the Langley Hospice Society, in honour of Phillips’ late wife Betty.
In mid-July, Phillips unveiled his commemorative painting – On the Way to Three Brothers – Manning Park.
He spoke lovingly of the park that he grew up in, and of his honour to memorialize it with his what organizers described as a “beautiful painting” depicting the Heather Trail, looking towards the Three Brothers ridge in the alpine meadows of Manning Park.
Now, he’s planning to unveil a few more of his own pieces, as well as many from other artists – including his buddy and fellow Langley artists Brian Croft – at the West Fine Art Show running Aug. 19 to 21 at the north Langley equestrian centre.
Hosted by the Tidball family, this show is held each year in honour of Phillips’ wife and brings together fifteen of what he calls Western Canada’s finest artists for the three-day show and sale.
• Stay tuned to the Langley Advance for more about this free show and a profile of Langley artist Bryan Coombes. He will be among the artists participating.
