Art transcends all boundaries and speaks to the spirit without need for explanation. an artist's expression in any medium is a dialogue between artist and observer, to appreciate a piece is to 'hear' the artist. - teej beckAt 71 years young and with the energy, spirit and vitality of a woman a third of her years,
Teresa C. Phillips is a perhaps the single most phenomenal individual and artist that I have ever had the blessing of meeting.
A wisp of a woman, crowned in cropped salt and pepper locks, her small stature and high energy reminds me of a hummingbird. Smiling and bright eyed she conveys the warmth that her spirit cannot contain, her personality welcomes with the open arms and enthusiasm of a recently reunited long lost friend, she is instantly familiar and unguarded, her world your world.
Originally from Chile, South America Teresa C. Phillips (born Teresa Poblete Hernandez to father Don Leoncio Poblete Silva & Sra
Ana Hernandez Hernandez) is today living in Chesapeake Virginia in a charming planned community, in a home she and Companion of 30 years,
Joyce Ann Davis, keep picture perfect.
An invitation to dinner gave us the opportunity to sit down with Teresa to learn more of her art, her world, her passions and her views on life, love and living well
Greeting us at the door Teresa welcomed us into her space with such pride and exuberance we could not but immediately feel right at home. Warm and bright with natural light, the home is a true reflection of couple, open and uncluttered with comfortable furnishings, the well kept and tidy space welcomes friends to come in and make themselves at home. Teresa's art filling the wall to wall bookcases of the vaulted ceiling living room that opens to view of the lake behind the home is the first visual. Everywhere one looks there are pieces in every imaginable medium that Teresa has over the years created to express her artistic vision.
Taking us on a tour through the home and grounds, we were first led to the back yard where Teresa has herself beautifully landscaped a magical lake side garden retreat complete with terraced lawn, a vegetable garden and a beautiful laid stone fountain built by Teresa herself as a gift to Joyce Ann on her 60th birthday. Flowers in bloom everywhere are carefully tended and beautifully maintained accenting the perfectly tended yard. Cannas line the man made lake except for a 6 foot break that allowed access to the lake and view of an amazing sight.
Lakeside dozens of turtles could be seen bobbing in the clear waters and Teresa delighted in sharing with us her special bond with nature. Just as my own belly was rumbling from the aromas of dinner on the grill Teresa explained the turtles and fish congregating were also awaiting dinner. Joyce Ann arrived with a pail of kibble that Teresa began tossing into the lake. The turtles and fish went mad for the tasty morsels and in a frenzy fish and turtles appreciatively devoured the meal. Nightly, Teresa explained, she feeds these aquatic friends... Instead of going out and enjoying dinner in a restaurant herself Teresa puts aside nearly 200 dollars a month to feed the inhabitants of her back yard lake. Teresa's dedication to the wildlife doesn't stop at feeding the animals, she has installed water jets and fountains to circulate and oxygenate the man made lake. The system she put in and operates at her own expense was designed to keep the water of the lake circulating preventing the build up of algae and pond scum that had in the past nearly suffocated the aquatic wildlife. Teresa shared proudly her passion for nature, for maintaining the balance of man and nature and for her role in keeping the natural world pristine and viable.
"Often people come to my door for various charities, often I have to turn them away but never for causes to help our animal friends.. "
The turtles and fish having enjoyed their evening repast dispersed back to lake's shallows, and we returned to the house to enjoy dinner ourselves.
Over a delicious meal of grilled seafood, chicken and locally grown vegetables prepared on the grill by Joyce Ann, the women shared of their chance meeting while on holiday in Mexico. The holiday adventure however was not to last and when inevitably the vacation ended the two parted, but oddly neither expecting a reunion shared no forwarding addresses or contact information. Not even so much as a last name. So from cool beginnings on hot beaches and parting without sharing so much as a last name what could only be destiny, the hand of fate, intervened to reunite the two, now 30 years inseparable. I could never do the story justice and truly it is their own to tell, but should you ever be so fortunate, and opportunity allows, pour a glass of Merlot and hear the tale of Te & Je, their 30 years and counting, the meaning of love and secret to true happiness.
Teresa and Joanne this October will celebrate 30 loving years together
As dinner plates were cleared and desserts served, Teresa elaborated on her artistic passions. Sculpting her first devotion, began in her native Chile when she was but a young girl. Carvings of small animals, horses mostly, were the playthings of childhood.
Sharing with us the story that took her from an obscure Chilean town,
San Vicente T.T, Sexta Region, to the United States and around the world to right here in Hampton Roads.
After studies at Liceo de Ninas in San Fernando, Chile, South America, and earning her license to teach in 1962, Teresa found herself in position teaching in the isolated small southern town of
Santa Fe, Provincia de Bio-Bio, Chile S.A and here she began the incredible journey that would take her from small town teacher to internationally recognized multi medium artist.
The chance meeting of an American Peace Corps volunteer set in motion events that would take Teresa from that small town teacher to world traveler and celebrated artist. The Peace Corp volunteer took notice of Teresa's sculpting abilities and encouraged the young artist to continue her passion for expression with a gift of wood working tools that today remain among her most prized possessions.
The family of the young volunteer generously provided half the fare for Teresa to make her way to The United States and Teresa arrived in Oregon on the 9th of September in 1965.
In 1967 She was enrolled at the University of Oregon to study sculpture and romance languages. There, under the tutelage of Czechoslovakian sculptor John Zaack, Teresa flourished. Then when what could have been a tragic end to this maverick's studies due to financial complications fate intervened. Recognizing Teresa's talents, her faculty adviser, a kindly mature woman, Ruth Jackson, came to her rescue offering Teresa a home and a chance to continue her education.
"I shall always be grateful to my faculty adviser because without her help I could never have received my BA degree in Sculpture and Romance Languages at the University of Oregon."
Teresa C. Phillips' desire to know more is the quality that I personally find most inspiring. A brilliant and accomplished woman who already by 1973 had earned three college degrees, and was 45 credits towards her masters in fine art when another calling set the then 33 years old Teresa on a 21 year journey that took her around the globe. The incredible journey that took Teresa to nearly every corner of the earth, with the exception of Antarctica, developed in her yet another passion, photography. Teresa C Phillips has left foot prints on every continent, captured on film the world and events that have shaped these modern times, from Presidential inaugurals to world renowned dignitaries, moments that made history, all recorded and forever immortalized through her photographic adventures.
Excursions throughout Europe where she visited Paris' Le Louvre Musee (Louvre Museum) and Italy's Sistine Chapel, she explored the old countries documenting with her camera, illustrating people, places, events and experiences. Setting off to the Far East where exotic locales like Singapore, Hong-Hong, Malaysia, Taiwan and Korea were backdrops for her photo diaries. Even opportunity to visit the African continent where she was able to snap Cairo and shoot Tunisia. 21 years had taken her round the world more than once, accolades for her photo-journalistic endeavors and honors bestowed upon her for exceptional services to flag and country and the thrill had waned.
Setting aside the camera and passport Teresa at 62 rekindled her desires for academia, for her first passion sculpting and in the Spring Semester of 2001, she was accepted into the MA of visual studies (sculpture) program. A joint graduate program offered by
Old Dominion University and
Norfolk State University. While pursuing her Masters, adviser Professor David Johnson, head of Old Dominion Photography Department, encouraged her to again pick up a camera. Introduced to the study of digital photography Teresa learned to accept that photography had evolved and once more her passions resuscitated. In May 2004, 65 years young and after 31 years of adventure, Teresa C Phillips graduated from ODU/NSU joint program with a Master of Arts.
What began with little wood sculptures of horses and people as a childhood pastime has now blossomed into works of porcelain, chamois. bronze, carvings, ceramic, pottery, paper, paint, print, photography and glass expressive of a self actualized mature woman.
The works of art are each a masterpiece to my eye but Teresa was very frank as she showed early works and first attempts. "Since this piece," she explained pointing out a beautiful object d'art, "I have learned so much." Teresa did not shy away from the efforts and study that have gone into her craft. I understood the importance of what she was explaining, talent is an amazing gift but study and practice must not be shorthanded.
To this day she continues in her studies, she continues to learn and grow as an individual and an artist. In 2007, at age 68, she again set out on a new adventure, introduced to glass blowing at Tidewater Community College (TCC) and attending classes as a senior citizen, she set forth with the same passion and gusto that has led her through life. Today her glass works are among the finest I have ever seen. And today you too can see Teresa's work on display and available for your collection at
The Artist's Gallery in Virginia Beach.
Teresa has taken time to hone her skills and develop her talents. With each new piece she finds more of herself and more that she craves to express. Always a student, an observer and a harkenor of all she has learned, a major subject of her work is the human condition...
"I want to deal with the present and perennial realities of our human conditions, using primarily the sexuality symbols and the human figure depicting social situations as well as inner thoughts and feelings I have as a mature women. We all are conceived equally; we are all born with powerful needs for personal relationships...our quality of life depend upon the love we share with others, whether family, friends, partners or peers. Because of these thoughts, I would like to depict our Society beyond the traditional family, friendship, needs, and loneliness." - Teresa C. Phillips
Her current collection of glass work on view and available to the public at The Artist's Gallery in Virginia Beach and at the Pembroke Mall at Town Center is but only a fraction of her portfolio. Upstairs in her home Teresa has created a studio that rivals that of most art schools. Tables fill the loft and filling the tables Teresa's works in progress await the artist's attention. One particular project just amazed me, from her sculptures she has created 'reliefs' in chamois! The 'reliefs' are three dimensional representations that are so detailed that one can make out the perfectly defined lines of facial features and expressions of the model sculpture from which they are created. Amazing!
The subject of her work as well is profound. Staying true to her designs on expressing the human condition she has created this amazing trinity of frescoes, entitled The New American Family. The first frame depicting two women, au natural and graceful, celebrating their love through dance, is stand alone a master piece, upon closer appreciation one realizes the beginning of a story. The tale begins with the passing from one woman to the other a gift, the seed of life, continuing the story the second frame, the gift has realized into the womb of one of the women and the nurturing couple share their joy that in third frame is revealed to be a family...The New American Family.
Teresa's depiction of the family speaks to her sensibilities as a fully realized woman, mature and wise with experience and blessed in talents to express her wisdom and insight...
"I want to establish that diversity of sexuality in our societies has been always present...although hidden in the less courageous among us. Through art I will try to convey to each of the viewers that equality among humanity is the goal we all must seek since none of us is superior to the other" - Teresa C. Phillips
As the evening hour neared 11, we realized we had enjoyed Teresa and Joyce Ann's hospitality for almost 5 hours and while neither of the lady's energy waned I knew it was time to say our 'goodnights'. I could have stayed and listened to every fascinating word of this remarkable woman's, this amazing couple's incredible life. Knowing that we would have many more opportunities to spend time with Teresa and Joyce Ann. The women are so thrilled to share their world and hope to hostess many gatherings at their lovely home, I for one cannot wait for my invitation to return to the artist's paradise. In the mean time I urge you to spend time in her world by visiting her website at
chileansculptor1.com and by visiting
The Artist's Gallery in Virginia Beach where a Teresa C. Phillips original is waiting to be welcomed into your life and home.