Meet Thomas Philbrook of Philbrook Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Philbrook.

Thomas, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve spent the past 40+ years in the field of Graphic Design & Illustration. Nowadays, I am spending more time pursuing my own personal picture-making. Since 2005, my chosen medium has been the computer — usually in concert with photography and scanned imagery.

My subject matter is most often inspired by the natural world around us — its beauty, diversity and spirituality. At the other end of the spectrum are my whimsical compositions — using props and memories from childhood. Gumby, robots and Godzilla often star in these pictures. I composite photos along with objects scanned directly on the scanner bed and drawings I render traditionally.

Hopefully, my work will find an audience who enjoys it as much as I enjoy making it. Thank you for your interest.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The field of Graphic Design and Commercial Illustration has changed radically since I began back in the late 1970s. The personal computer started creeping in around 1985. By 1995, it was used it or lose it. Fortunately, for me, I embraced the technology happily. It blended in well with the photography I had been indulging in since I was a kid.

My recent transition from “less” commercial design to “more” personal fine-art picture-making has been slow in coming. Like most artists, I love making the art, but shy away from promoting it.

My mindset in the promotion-department has improved in recent months — more art association affiliations, more competition participation, more gallery exposure. I’m getting there. Slowly.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Philbrook Design – what should we know?
As mentioned earlier, Philbrook Design continues to slowly morph from commercial work to personal work. Inside Adobe Photoshop is where I spend most of my time — such an enjoyable tool.

I spend some of my time tutoring fellow photographers in the application. It’s always a delight seeing how pleased they are with learning how they can adjust, and often – improve, their imagery.

Most of my constituents are not inclined to pursue the degree of digital compositing I undertake in my own work. Sometimes, an image of mine can be composed of a couple dozen different photos.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Subject matter, composition, mood, color — it’s difficult to pinpoint a single important characteristic. First and foremost, a finished image has to speak to me with clarity. Since the pictorial options with Photoshop are virtually limitless — one can sometimes find oneself straying from the original goal.

Whether it be one of my nature-inspired images or one of my fun, whimsical pieces — I want the work to speak to the viewer first with immediacy. And then with its unique subtleties. (Spoken like a well-worn graphic designer).

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thomasphilbrook.com
• Email: tphilbrook@verizon.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tomterrifick
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThomasPhilbrookArt

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