Phil Couture

Acquired directly from the artist

In the collection of the Art Renewal Center, 2023

New York, NY, Sotheby’s, “16th International ARC Salon Exhibition”, July 14 – 24, 2023

Various authors, "International Realism: 16th International ARC Salon", ACC Art Books, Woodbridge, Suffolk 2023, illustrated p. 92

Philippe Couture was born in Drummondville, Canada, and raised in Lakeland, Florida, where he began drawing and painting at a young age. In 2011, Phil and his wife Rachel moved to Japan, where he studied and painted for 7 years in both the northern region of Aomori and the ancient capital of Kyoto. In 2018, Phil left Asia for Europe and currently resides in Wrocław, Poland.

Both 19th century European realism and 17th-19th century Japanese “Ukiyo-e” woodblock prints have been a primary influence on Phil’s artwork. His work strives to incorporate the Japanese genre of “Bijin-ga” or “pictures of beautiful women” and his style could be described as impressionistic realism. Having lived for 6 years next to Kyoto’s oldest active geisha district, Kamishichiken, Phil naturally became fascinated by geisha and maiko culture. His time in Japan made an indelible impression on his life and artwork.

Primarily self-taught, Phil’s art education consisted of drawing and painting from life, studying masterpieces in museums around the world and employing exercises and techniques taught by classical ateliers. Among his influences are Velasquez, Sargent, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Waterhouse, Mucha, Utamaro, and Hiroshige.