“A Day in the Life” with: Visual Artist Maddy Phillips

Maddy Phillips is a graphic designer, mural artist and communications professional. She co-founded Phil Phil Studio alongside our sister Erica Phillips. Phil Phil Studio specializes in mural-based artwork and public art, in addition to graphic design and illustration services. Their installations reflect the surrounding atmosphere and landscape of the location. Either abstract or illustrative, Phil Phil murals are colourful and large-scale. They are heavily influenced by the West Coast of Canada and its landscape, animals, textures and patterns. Some projects include aspects of community engagement, either working with community members to formulate ideas and stories or inviting them to help with painting the piece. Phil Phil Studio hopes to bring further connection to the artwork for the people who will get to experience it in their day-to-day lives.

Maddy loves running, hiking, biking, and generally being outside. This includes spending time in her vegetable garden, where she grew 5 different types of tomatoes the previous summer. In her spare time, she has taken up knitting and learning to speak Danish. She enjoys travelling, seeing new places, and finding mountain top views. She thinks the seabus is the best type of public transportation. While in sea bus transit on a nice day, she picks her seat carefully to get a good view of the north shore mountains. Even if she can’t be hiking to the top of them that day, she appreciates this view just as much.

-Written by Kate Phillips

Maddy Phillips
Erica and Maddy pose for a photo in front of the Squamish Public Library mural. May 2022. Photo by Amanda Palmer.
Maddy Phillips
Sprig the cat enjoying a spot of sunshine in the kitchen.
Enjoying the view at a summit during a backcountry skiing trip in Tetrahedron Provincial Park.
Using yarn from my Nana’s stash and a Dale of Norway pattern from the 90’s, I tested the waters of colourwork by knitting a headband for my sister Kate.
Caught in a rainshower walking home from the store in Cam An, Vietnam.
A patchwork a-frame supporting the largest tomato plants in my vegetable garden.
Maddy Phillips
Running in a classic west coast fashion; in the rain with a friend and their dog.
Maddy Phillips
Crafting star garlands for my space-themed birthday party. We also made the solar system using papier-mâché and leftover paint from mural projects.

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Which ‘hood are you in?

I grew up in North Vancouver. I’m now based in Riley Park, Vancouver, BC.

What do you do?

I’m a graphic designer, mural painter, and communications professional. I completed my Bachelor’s of Design in Communications Design at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Since graduating university, I’ve worked in design agencies and in various communications roles in public education and employment services, all while working on projects for Phil Phil Studio. I’m in the midst of continuing my education in Public Relations at Simon Fraser University while learning to balance creative projects with Phil Phil and my other interests and hobbies.

What are you currently working on?

Currently, I’m working on getting projects in the works for the mural season. Since some of our projects are weather-dependent, we take the time in the winter to organise and plan for the busier and sunnier times of the year. I also have a few personal painting projects in mind and have been slowly collecting photographs around the city to build a catalogue of inspiration.

Where can we find your work?

You can find Phil Phil murals in Richmond, Steveston, on Main Street in Vancouver, Capilano University, along Lonsdale in North Vancouver, in Squamish and on the Sunshine Coast. We share our work on Instagram.

 

About Bronwyn Lewis 241 Articles
Bronwyn Lewis is a food writer for the Vancouver Guardian. She’s also a screenwriter and producer. Born and raised in Vancouver, Bronwyn lives in Mount Pleasant and you can follow all her food adventures on Instagram.