Walter Joseph Phillips (1884-1963) was a prominent Canadian artist known for his mastery of watercolours and woodblock prints. Born in England, he studied at the Birmingham School of Art and worked as a commercial artist before emigrating to Canada in 1913. Phillips initially focused on etching but soon found his niche in colour woodcut prints, gaining national and international acclaim.
He taught at various institutions, including the University of Wisconsin and the Banff Summer School of Fine Arts, and was active as a book illustrator. His subjects evolved from the Prairies to the Rocky Mountains over his career. Despite the Great Depression, he managed to thrive as an artist.
Phillips moved to Banff in 1953 and later retired to Victoria, where he passed away in 1963. His works are housed in numerous Canadian galleries, including The National Gallery of Canada and The Winnipeg Art Gallery, with a significant private collection in Winnipeg. He is celebrated today as a master of his craft, with his art eagerly collected worldwide.
Here are some of his paintings:
