Phil Wert is an artistic draftsman from Switzerland who primarily draws using pencil on paper, but also works with paint, digital tools, and three-dimensional shapes and designs. Each of his incredibly imaginative works requires diligence and time, with some taking several months to complete. With his father being a painter, Phil was introduced to art and being creative at a very young age, although he diverged from both the style and medium in his own journey.

When it comes to his medium of choice, Phil enjoys working with pencil and paper: “The smell of paper, having a little bit of graphite powder on my hands, the smudges…” Ultimately, the tactility of traditional mediums is very appealing and something that isn’t easily replicable, and although every step of the process takes a little bit longer traditionally, Phil noted, “It forces me to be patient.” Having a physical drawing also means being able to hang it on the wall and connect with it over a period of time, watching it change – literally and symbolically – as the artist or viewer, too, evolves.

Having grown up in what he described as a “big sphere of creation,” an important aspect of Phil’s practice and approach to his art-making is finding the balance between tapping into your consciousness and holding it off to let creativity flow freely. As children, we are pure in our excitement to discover. The consciousness of whether or not a drawing looks good or is technically correct is not something that tends to cross our minds when we are enamored by the adventure of imagination. Allowing yourself the joy and freedom to explore the world of creativity not only enriches your experience of life but gives your art the strength and space to flourish. As Phil so beautifully expresses, “The realm of art allows me to be as truthful and free as I can possibly be. That’s why I love it so much, and I dedicate my life to it.”

Phil is an extraordinarily deep thinker, often reflecting on the idea of always being in a state of pursuit. In his words, “I’m curious about concepts that describe something in such a way in detail that it feels like a universal truth.” In our conversation, I loved that he had referred to himself as a “searcher,” alluding to his fervent inquisitiveness fueled by a desire to discover and express authenticity in his art. To follow that sense of connection between the self, the universe, and the art, is a lifelong but fulfilling pursuit. In Phil’s mind,

“The way we seek to make our artwork really involves the ability to have some individual point of view. Follow that and bring that out; show your individuality… When you think about art in a sense of diving into yourself and your expression, I view it as a very honorable thing to do.”

-Phil Wert

Follow Phil Wert on Instagram @phil_wert

Check out his website: www.philwert.art