About
Biography
Jean’s photographic journey began with an Instamatic camera borrowed from her parents at the tender age of eight. Soon after, she learned how to develop and print black-and-white film and has never looked back. While pursuing her BFA at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, she expanded beyond black-and-white photography to the vivid realm of color. This shift in perspective ignited a profound new way of seeing, and she continues to work in both modes. Her color photos invite viewers into a vibrant world, while her black and white work examines the quieter appeal of texture and form.
While Jean initially honed her skills in the traditional darkroom, she has fully embraced the digital realm and the endless possibilities it offers. However, her passion for hands-on work with paper and textiles, nurtured since childhood, remain an integral part of her artistic process. The tactile connection with these materials stokes her creative fires and creates a deep and personal connection to her work. She is always seeking the perfect marriage of image and surface; her recent explorations unite her appreciation for the traditions of photography with the expressive potential of alternative techniques and materials.
Jean’s lifelong fascination with the interplay of color, pattern, and texture has always been her guiding star, as evident from her earliest snapshots. These passions remain the driving force behind her innovative artistic pursuits, whether at home in Santa Barbara or in her travels far and near.
![Jean Phillips_Headshots_072523-0008_pp](https://i0.wp.com/www.jeanmorrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Jean-Phillips_Headshots_072523-0008_pp-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C1620&ssl=1)
All images © Jean Morrison Phillips