Jonathan McPhillips
“Creating art has been a constant in my life. After collegiate studies in modern techniques with traditional influences, I have found my focus in “contemporary impressionism,” a form of realism and painterly expression. For me, each painting is a problem to solve, or a puzzle to piece together… a playful, yet serious endeavor, and a celebration of our environment. There is no greater reward than knowing that a painting has somehow captivated a friend or a stranger. Whether the emotion I evoke leads to a purchase, a new workshop participant, or just an extended pause on a gallery browse, it is truly inspiring to know that my interpretations on canvas can be a positive force for others. Maybe that is why I paint. In a world of global connectivity and digital clarity, painting retains a sense of mystery for us all… a bit of magic… unspoken and written threads connecting our hears and minds. Through my paintings and instruction, I intend to connect as many threads as I can, for as long as I can.” – Jonathan McPhillips
JONATHAN MCPHILLIPS graduated from Conneticut College in 1993 with a Cum Laude Distinction in Fine Art. Jonathan’s artwork has evolved into a celebration of coastal New England. Working equally in the studio and on location, his work includes the harbors, beaches, vessels and architecture of our coastal marine environment.
Recent awards and accomplishments:
2018: 134th Annual Members Exhibition, Gene Magazine Award for a Traditional Oil, Salmagundi Club, NY
2018: American Impressionist Society Signature Member
2017: American Impressionist Society 18th National Juried Exhibition, Park City, UT
2017: Maritime Gallery 38th Juried International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic, CT
2017: Modern Marine Masters Exhibition, Mystic, CT
2017: One Man Show, Addison Art Gallery, Cape Cod, MA
2017: Laguna Plein Air Painters “August Nights” Juried Exhibition
2017: Laguna Plein Air Painters “Best of Plein Air” Juried Exhibition
2017: Art League of Rhode Island “Boats, Sur, Beaches” Juried Exhibition with Award of Merit, Providence, RI
2017: “All Hands on Deck” Group Invitational Exhibition, Newport, RI
2015: The Museum Purchase Award, The maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, International Exhibition
2015: “Best Sense of Mystery” Award, Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Atlanta, GA
2015: The Boldbrush Award, Fine Art Studios Online competition, September
Jonathan received acceptance into The American Impressionist Society National shows in 2013, 2014 and 2017, which gamered him Signature Member Status.
Jonathan is also honored to have been invited by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the “Art in Embassies” program, which expanded his work to an international audience in several U.S. embassies around the globe.
Education: 1989-1993 Connecticut College New London, Connecticut
BFA Cum Laude with Distinction in Studio Art
Teaching and Demonstration Affiliations:
Palmetto Bluff/Montage Resorts, Bluffton, SC (workshop, 2017)
The Ocean House, Westerly, RI (artist in residence)
Rockport Art Association, Rockport, MA (workshops)
Cape Cod Art Association, Barnstable, MA (workshops)
Falmouth Artist Guild, Falmouth, MA (workshops)
The Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT (workshops)
West Hartford Art League, West Hartford, CT (workshops)
The Wianno Club, Osterville, MA (private workshops)
The Coleman Center for Creative Studies, Newport, RI (course instruction)
The Maritime Gallery, Mystic, CT (demonstrations)
Addison Art Gallery, Orleans, MA (demonstrations)
Franklin Art Association, Franklin, MA (demonstrations)
The Plum Beach Club, Saunderstown, RI (private demonstrations)
Other Awards and Exhibitions:
2014 American Impressionists Society 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Denver, CO
2014 Greenhouse Gallery Salon, San Antonio, TX
2015-2018 Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Atlanta, GA
2013 Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art Juried Exhibition, Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2013 American Impressionists Society 14th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Charleston, SC
2013 Masters in Miniature Invitational, Trailside Gallery, Jackson Hole, WY
2012 The Noble Nocturn, Salmagundi Club, NY, NY (First Place Award)
2011-2013 American Society of Marine Artists 15th National Exhibition
2011 Elected Artist Member: Salmagundi Club NY, 2011
2011 Carmel Art Festival, Carmel, California
2010-2018 The Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT
2010 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional juried Exhibition Walls Fine Art Gallery, Wilmington, NC
2008 Little Compton, RI, Juried exhibition (Honorable Mention)
2005 Green River Gallery, Bristol, RI (Award of Merit)
2005 Blackstone River Gallery, Woonsocket, RI (Honorable Mention)
2004 New York Yacht Club and The Newport Art Museum (First Place “Best in Fleet”)
2002 Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI (Honorable Mention)
2001 South County Art Association, Kingston, RI (First Place)
2001 South County Art Association, Kingston, RI (Honorable Mention)
2001 Wickford Art Association, North Kingston, RI (First Place)
2000 South County Art Association, Kingston, RI (First Place)
1999 Wickford Art Association, North Kingston, RI (Second Place)
1999 Warwick Museum of Art, Warwick, RI (Second Place)
