Daily Inspiration: Meet Phillip Payne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Payne.

Hi Phillip, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My father, Ken Payne, was a world renowned bronze sculptor, sometimes heralded as the modern day Remington. He was 50 years old when I was born and well into his art career, so I grew up playing with clay before I could walk. Both of my parents were always very encouraging when it came to being creative. They also instilled in me a real love for hard work. By seven years old, I was caught going door-to-door trying to sell my drawings to my neighbors. I had them in my dad’s brief case, which was almost too large for me to carry. But I made enough to buy a small Lego set. I guess you can say the rest is history.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t know that there is such a thing as a smooth road in life. The struggles associated with pursuing an art career are intricately tied to the fact that it’s one of the most vulnerable careers you can choose. Rejection is a given and constant, and what you don’t know is infinite. But that also leads to the greatest joys of the field because there is always something new to learn, and when someone does understand and collects a piece there is nothing more soul-filling. One especially difficult time in my career came after my dad died in my early 20’s. I was faced with deciding whether to keep sculpting, and I had to analyze why I was compelled to continue to sculpt and purse art in general. Art is a career path that requires passion and tenacity. I think to be a great artist you have to answer your “why.” Finding that “why” propelled my creative choices and guided me through the countless challenges that come with art and entrepreneurship .

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My primary medium is bronze sculptures. What sets me apart from others is the way I use stories to inspire the composition. For the most part, my style is to pursue story first and then the aesthetic, while many artists do the opposite. I love pieces that spark a conversation that wouldn’t have happened without the artist. For example, my piece, “Beethoven: Feeling the Music” tells the story of Beethoven, after having lost his hearing, feeling the vibration of the piano through the floor; it illuminates his struggles and his dedication to his music.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My dog, Chewy (short for Chewbacca)! I consider art to be a bridge from a piece of who I am to someone else. It is such a joy in my life to experience people making that connection with both my own art work and the myriad amazing artists Anticus gallery represents. It is one of the greatest joys of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anticus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anticusgallery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anticusgallery/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjV9Fi80ybSRhaDq1si3PJg

Image Credits
Phillip Payne