Phillip Lewis

My artistic approach is rooted in storytelling, transformation, and the exploration of identity shaped by life experience. After more than twenty-three years of military service and extensive travel, my work reflects a combination of personal history, environment, and memory. I work primarily in acrylic and mixed media, often incorporating upcycled or reclaimed materials as a reflection of resilience and renewal—the idea that both objects and people carry history and can be reshaped into something meaningful.Inspiration for my work comes from several overlapping influences. Wildlife and the natural environments of the Pacific Northwest provide a grounding sense of realism and presence, while folklore and myth allow space to explore symbolism and emotional tension. My experiences with transition, stress, and mental wellness have also shaped how I approach art, not as therapy, but as a constructive outlet for focus, reflection, and connection. These themes often appear in subjects that exist between strength and vulnerability, encouraging viewers to bring their own interpretation to the work.Equally influential are the visual memories of childhood cartoons, films, and cultural nostalgia that emphasized character, movement, and storytelling. Those early influences continue to inform how I build silhouettes, exaggerate posture, and create narrative moments within a single image. I am interested in the point where familiarity meets discomfort—where something recognizable carries deeper emotional weight.My creative process begins with an idea or feeling rather than a fixed outcome. Through sketching and layered painting, I build value, texture, and contrast gradually, allowing the image to evolve organically. Strong silhouettes, controlled color palettes, and visible surface texture help guide the viewer’s attention while preserving the energy of the process.Ultimately, my goal is to translate personal experience into visual stories that feel honest and accessible. Whether through wildlife, folkloric figures, or upcycled materials, my work seeks to create moments of connection that invite reflection, memory, and interpretation while acknowledging the complexity of lived experience.

Phillip “Lew” Lewis is a disabled combat veteran and retired United States Army Master Sergeant with more than twenty-three years of active-duty service (NSDQ). I am married with three daughters. I additionally have two Australian shepherds. I currently work with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as a Deputy Contract Manager for Habitat Restoration and Conservation.Wandering Rougarou Art Studio, LLC is a veteran-owned creative business established in January 2026 officially to promote sustainability, artistic expression, and community engagement through upcycled and mixed-media artwork. The studio represents both a small business initiative and a community-centered effort supporting veteran reintegration and mental wellness through creative practice. I'm currently working to become an asset to the Olympia, Washington region by helping provide non-clinical PTSD and other mental health support through art and education.The studio transforms reclaimed materials into original artwork inspired by wildlife, culture, and storytelling while promoting environmental responsibility and accessible creative engagement. The business currently operates from a home-based studio, allowing for continued development while accommodating physical limitations.