Moments in Time

For the past 20 years, artist Philip Smallwood has built a successful career as a watercolorist focusing primarily on realistic narratives, as well as landscapes and still lifes.

- PHILIP SMALLWOOD

His work is an honest portray of the world, derived from reality as well as from his imagination and experiences. The scenes are not limited to one place, but often reflect slices of life that are moments relatable to everyone.

Smallwood, who goes by P. Smallwood for his art, grew up in Massachusetts and embarked on another career before turning to art at age 38. It was then he took his first watercolor course, followed up by workshops and classes from other artists. His main art education, however, was through his personal development with the unforgiving medium.

“Because I’m primarily self-taught, I don’t have the traditional watercolor bag of tricks,” says Smallwood, who explains he is able to get crisp lines and bolder colours by working on the drier side of watercolor rather than wet into wet. He adds, “It’s almost going at it like an oil painter would approach the medium. A lot of that is because I found my own way through this journey. I’m thankful because it differentiates my work from a lot of others that I don’t have the traditional watercolor approach.”