marcoujor: Highlighting Alicia Jaye Phillips, author, painter, photographer, holistic healer

​

​I am thrilled this week to present an interview from the sister of a good friend, Angelia Phillips of flashPress. The beauty of our virtual community is that now she is my good friend as well.
 
Please join me in getting to know, Alicia Jaye Phillips of On Story Street. 

Known to family and friends as “Nee”, she’s a talented and versatile lady who works as an artist, writer, photographer, horse lover and holistic healer all wrapped up into one lovely package.

---

Maria: Can you tell us about the person behind the artist, dear Alicia?

Alicia: I'm a woman who loves her family, friends and people in general, even though I’m quite solitary. Married for over 30 years to my soulmate, we have one son. I love all of God's creation but I'm most often drawn to horses.
 
If I bother with footwear, it’s usually boots or moccasins. My hair is uncut for spiritual reasons.

I prefer lifestyle changes to help solve health issues over modern medicine, when possible. My health challenges me every day, and I'm in perpetual study and practice in improving it.

I’m a woman of dreams and visions, and Jesus is my best friend. Most mornings I wake to the sound of birds and the scent of coffee. Those things and some time reading my bible are how I help ensure my days start off in the best way possible.
 
My clothing isn't trendy, but nearly always an extension of my personality and the things I love. You can never have too much plaid or velvet--skirts over my jeans or leggings is my dress preference.

Often I work with music in the background--instrumental jazz, folk or Christian.
 
I live in hill country nestled between two rivers, the Wabash and the Ohio. It's beautiful and my family has deep roots here spanning three centuries.

---

Talking Smoke

Maria: After taking a virtual trip to your gallery, I was drawn to Talking Smoke.  As I've told you, what was intended for a friend is now a treasured part of our home. Can you share the inspiration behind this piece of art?

Alicia: Talking Smoke was inspired from communication among people and animals who are distanced, one from another, along with prayer that reaches into other realms. She (the messenger) is sending a message while her pony grazes nearby.
 
A man is “as he thinketh.” Think in faith and speak in faith.
 
God hears our every thought and intent. It’s important to think clearly because it manifests in our physical actions. You know, when you think of someone and then your phone rings, and it’s them, or you run into them at the store? A connection is made. Same principle.​

Maria: I treasure my copy of Scribble Shots. What was the impetus for this breathtaking compilation of photography and poetry?

Alicia: I wanted to inspire people to look through a different window and from a different angle.

A play of words tells the story of each image. It’s my hope the collection will bring
​deep thoughts and feelings closer to the surface, where they can make a difference in the readers’ lives. Each image and their short, associated writings, are very special to me.
 
My family and friends made it possible to become an actual book, for which I’m grateful!​

Maria: Can you share with us how you achieve balance in your life, incorporating spirituality with creativity? ​

​Alicia: Incorporating the spiritual aspects of my life into my art usually begins with an image. Sometimes it’s from a dream, or an internal vision, or a depiction that comes together from an experience. This is followed by a compulsion to interpret the image on canvas.
 
Warriors in the City and Warrior in the Forest are good examples. They depict people's prayers and the effect of prayer interrupting the atmosphere, reaching beyond what we can see.

I try to convey the good. I’ve seen the bad and darkness and prefer to put forth the positive and light. I believe painting can be prophetic at times--bringing good things, or bad things, into our space.
 
Bettering myself at plein air painting is a more recent pursuit, to bring balance to my indoor and outdoor work. With photography, it’s different in that I’m compelled to capture a moment in time that I hope will speak to, or move, other people in the same way it moves me.

Warriors in the City

Warrior in the Forest

Thanks for spending this time with us, dear Alicia. I hope my readers will take a few moments to check out your website and gallery.  I believe they’ll be happy they did.

​Alicia:  Maria, thank you for featuring me on mar’s Desk! I’m thankful for our friendship and I appreciate your interest in my work and so many other artists in the independent business community.

---

​ShoutOuts

☙ Celebration ~ A New Nurse Walks! Via WarnerWords

☙ Courting disaster with a con artist:  A true story via Martie’s Foyer

​☙ When I'm Sixty-Four via molometer

---

Until next week, wishing you peace.


Hugs,
 
mar

​