jenna snyder-phillips’s philosophy on color

A glimpse inside artist Jenna Snyder Phillips downtown New York City art studio.

Share

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Take a peek into the Manhattan space where she creates her highly sought-after figure, form, and animal paintings.

Take a tour of Jenna Snyder-Phillip’s 400-square-foot-apartment.

Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Snyder-Phillips—who grew up riding horses with her grandfather in her native Pennsylvania—was drawn to painting zebras because they combined her love of large mammals with her affinity for all-things black and white. 

Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Her paintings, which are mostly done with charcoal and Japanese Sumi ink, are comprised of strong, deliberate brushstrokes that make a stark powerful contrast against their muted cotton backdrop. 

Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Snyder-Phillips often starts her works by painting them on the floor of her studio and then hanging them on the wall for finishing touch-ups and drying, often leaving behind colorful splatters of paint to admire.  “Color should be either big and bold or kept simple,” Snyder-Phillips explains of her painting philosophy, which is mostly derived from a clean palette of ink on paper. 

Photography by Brittany Ambridge

A mood board above Snyder-Phillips’ old-school utilitarian storage desk (from CB2) features inspirational photographs of water reflections as well as pictures of free-spirited forms and fashion models. 

Photography by Brittany Ambridge

The vivid teals and cool greens of these colorful abstracts were drawn from the hues of the Mediterranean Sea and more  specifically, Snyder-Phillips’ memories of time spent in Italy. “Color can transform a space,” says Snyder-Phillips. “It sets the mood and adds another facade to a room. “

Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Photographs, whether her own or ripped from the likes of National Geographic and vintage art textbooks, are the source of all of Snyder-Phillips work. Her father, also an avid-photographer, raised Snyder-Phillips with a deep appreciation for all things visual.