Phil grew up in a military family and spent several years in Europe and was influenced by the architecture and museums he was able to visit. He began to show an interest in art from the time he lived in Germany as a young boy while his father was in the military.
He attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago where he studied figure painting and drawing. Starke changed course from his aim at the advertising world and developed a passion for oil painting. It was upon graduation from the American Academy of Art that he decided to plunge into the profession of fine art.

From the Midwest, West and Southwest, Phil has continued to be inspired. Each season and each region has its own color palette and unique landscape. From landscape to figures, and plein-air to studio painting Phil continues to find inspiration in his work.

Phil is represented by Settlers West Gallery, Legacy Gallery and the Grapevine Gallery. He has exhibited at the Buffalo Bill Museum, The CM Russell Museum, the Allied Artists of America and the Gold Medal Show with the California Art Club.
Phil teaches plein air painting and studio painting at the Scottsdale Artists School and the Tucson Art Academy.

Workshop Description

The workshop will focus on Mixing colors with a limited palette that suggest what the light is doing instead of copying what you see, which is what a camera is for.
We will be learning to simplify shapes, seeing scenes in terms of values and color temperature.
We will also cover technique and brush work and learn to set goals for progress.

Visit Phil's web site

We will start out by painting in one of the most famous neighborhoods in New York City, Greenwich Village. If we're lucky we just might spot one of the numerous celebrities living here walking down the street - happens all the time. The last day of the workshop Nancy and I will host a wine and cheese reception in our courtyard on Bank Street - right around the corner from where we'll be painting.

I will help you find affordable lodging. You can really save money if you have a friend to share a room, whether they're a painter or not. I have a nice list of affordable hotels and can also help you find an apartment to rent by the day or week. We'll work on that together.