About
Phil Atkinson
My work is a form of escapism for me. I love the feeling of being lost in my painting, lost in the possibility of what each piece can become.
Photograph by Brian McCann
Inspirations & Goals
I’m inspired by people, nature, places and things, driven by the desire to capture a little of its soul, whether that is of the person, the place or even the inanimate object. It’s the lines of life in a face that intrigue me.
My goal is always to deliver a piece of art that tells a story while also being quirky and individual. I achieve this by being attentive, observing the world around me and by interacting with people as well as the unusual and the eccentric.
My Story
I was born in Dublin but am currently based in Longford, Ireland. My journey into the world of art and creativity began with being inspired by my Grandfathers pencil drawings, which as a child I used to copy.
Encouraged by my art teacher at Ashfield College in Templeogue, Dublin, I developed skills in using paint and colour which I later referred to while completing an apprenticeship in the art of Tattooing.
I continued to work part time in this field while also being employed in the construction industry. This was however not my true path and the creative life of an artist continued to call. It was the medium of airbrushing which most captured my and attention and imagination.
The Next Step
I started to teach myself the skill of using the airbrush, taking three years to fully understand its intricacies as an artistic tool. It’s there I found my niche and so began my creative path for definite.
In 2013 I applied and was accepted onto an Art & Design Course in Longford College of Further Education on which I excelled.
This course provided me an introduction to a variety of mediums, including oil and watercolour painting, print making and pottery. It led to my work being exhibited for the first time as part of a group show.
It also resulted in my work being brought to the attention of the arts community in the Midlands and from there to a national audience.
The Next Step
I started to teach myself the skill of using the airbrush, taking three years to fully understand its intricacies as an artistic tool. It’s there I found my niche and so began my creative path for definite.
In 2013 I applied and was accepted onto an Art & Design Course in Longford College of Further Education on which I excelled.
This course provided me an introduction to a variety of mediums, including oil and watercolour painting, print making and pottery. It led to my work being exhibited for the first time as part of a group show.
It also resulted in my work being brought to the attention of the arts community in the Midlands and from there to a national audience.
Collaborations
I’ve now participated in a number of group exhibitions and collaborations,
Cruthú Arts Festival, 2014, 2015, 2016,
START – Art Studios Mohill, County Leitrim , 2015,
The Heart of the Matter – Backstage Theatre 2017 – Collaboration with Longford based writer Anna Delaney,
Three Breaths One thought – Backstage Theatre February 2017 – Collaboration with Shelley Corcoran Photographer and Angelika Szymka Artist.
My first solo exhibition took place in the Icon Factory, Temple Bar, Dublin in 2013 and I’m currently working toward my second.
Into the Future
Additional to this, I have created a number of large street art murals for festivals and events throughout the country and I am involved with schools, groups and organisations on a number of annual art projects as a community artist.
Custom work for Emerald Guitars in Donegal has provided me the opportunity to paint their unique carbon fibre guitars for a number of high profile musicians including country music star Robert Mizzell.
Commissioned Original Art works are now owned by clients in Ireland, Britain, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong.
Into the Future
Additional to this, I have created a number of large street art murals for festivals and events throughout the country and I am involved with schools, groups and organisations on a number of annual art projects as a community artist.
Custom work for Emerald Guitars in Donegal has provided me the opportunity to paint their unique carbon fibre guitars for a number of high profile musicians including country music star Robert Mizzell.
Commissioned Original Art works are now owned by clients in Ireland, Britain, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong.