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BIOGRAPHY

An artist captures the essence of a person, place, or concept. The stroke or a brush, the strike of a pen creates an entire world that narrates the dialogue of art. Many artists known for oils continued to embrace the possibilities of watercolor. Hopper, Klee, Turner, O’Keefee and Sargent expressed both the intense and subtle qualities of light through this medium, and the tradition continues with contemporary artists today. Artist Philip Smallwood calls this body of work, "Lifescapes", portraying subjects within their natural environment, but with an emotive visual narrative that powerfully connects the viewer and the subject. The audience sees his world not with the casual glance of a stranger, but with the intimacy of a friend.
Most portraits reveal the powerful, the wealthy and those of influence, and the community they come from. How many artists have dared to showcase the common person navigating through their own stories and struggles? There needs to be powerful, positive images that resonate with an audience that often feels that art is not delegated to them by the art world. His is a voice created with brushstroke and line that immortalizes the breaking of social boundaries and offers a poignant image. Utilizing anatomically correct form, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong architectural composition, these images breathe life into the environment and create a visual dialogue that transports the viewer to an unfamiliar place .
Influenced by his older brother, Fredrick Smallwood, the artist developed a keen interest in visual art that developed into a second career. This artistic journey has taken him and his works across the country and abroad. Mr. Smallwood is the consummate observer, who uses his talents to give a resonance and reason to subjects and places that would normally be ignored. These images are rendered with a dignity and grace that is usually reserved for the upper echelons of society. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, watercolor can take on the dynamics of the most detailed and complex oil paintings. It is this very approach that has garnered P. Smallwood with numerous accolades and awards from the the most distinguished art societies and organizations nationally and internationally. The hopes, desires, and dilemma of humanity are chronicled and cast by artists past and present.
honors and awards
2021
The Butler institute of American art
Dialogues with Reality: Paintings by P. Smallwood on exhibit December 26 - February 27, 2022
ARTIST MAGAZINE
Featured Artist in June Issue
2020
AMERICAN ART COLLECTOR
Featured Artist in Fall Issue
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AMERICAN ART COLLECTOR
Featured Artist in May Issue
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201 MAGAZINE - BERGEN COUNTY, NJ
Featured Artist in February Issue
2019
ARTS DE LA PRATIQUE MAGAZINE - PARIS, FRANCE
Featured Artist in June Issue
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14C ART FAIR - Jersey City, NJ
"Artist of the Day" Award
2016
THE NATIONAL ARTS CLUB - GRAMERCY PARK SOUTH, NY
Accessible Art Fair
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the museum of art - deland, fl
"Personages" a Solo Exhibit
2012 - 2015
A SERIES OF PRIVATE COMMISSIONED WORKS
CEO's in Corporate Organizations, Celebrities, Music, Entertainment, and sports.
2012
HARLEM FINE ARTS SHOW (HFAS) "MARTHA'S VINEYARD"
August 9-12, 2012, Oak Bluffs, MA
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watercolor artist magazine
Featured Artist in August Issue
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the springfield art museum - watercolor now 2012
Exhibition show dates April - July - Springfield, Missouri
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the watercolor honors society
Featured award winner in April
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ARTS ISSUE - PEOPLE IN THE ARTS
Featured Artist in April Issue
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NEW MILFORD AUXILIARY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Commissioned work of late Chief Andy Boele
cypress gallery - 3rd thursdays
Presenting 7-10pm each third Thursday of the month from April to September,
featuring "Art, Conversation & More" in New Milford, NJ
2011
WATERCOLOR HONORS SOCIETY (WHS)
Inducted into the Honors Society in Watercolor USA in June. WHS is dedicated to focusing national attention on watercolor painting through exhibition, educational opportunities, and the recognition of artists working in watermedia. ​
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THE FABRIC OF MY LIFE
Over 100 small portraits of friends and family that influenced Philip's career are included in this project of recent works.
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FOCUS NJ - ART CENTER OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
First place award for Watercolor - July
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WATERCOLOR USA - 50TH EXHIBITION
In May, Philip was awarded the Robert Vickrey Memorial Award for "Redemption" at the Springfield Art Museum
in Springfield, Missouri.
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the new smyrna beach art festival
Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) - New Smyrna, FL​
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UNCF - THE ART OF GIVING BACK
A vision created by Philip Smallwood as an art exhibition to raise funds to benefit the UNCF (United Negro College Fund). The inaugural event held in September at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. The works of contemporary emerging, mid-career and established artists were featured for this inaugural event.
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