Caedes

Artist Spotlight # 9

Submitted by Piner 01/15/06 5:34 PM GMT

Our 9th Artist Spotlight is on the talented photographer and digital designer known as philcUK. So go take a look at his gallery and provide feedback and encouragement to this deserving member. He has provided the following biographical info for us.

Firstly, may I say that I am very honoured to receive this recognition. I find myself in excellent company both with the very talented members who have preceded me and those that are to follow. I guess I'm pretty typical of most users here in that I kind of stumbled across the Caedes site by chance and subsequently got hooked into it. It's been an invaluable find, albeit a slightly addictive one and I have learnt an awful lot from people here in the couple of years I've been hanging around.

I live in the same town in Yorkshire that I was born in but in the intervening time since I left school twenty years ago I have lived and worked all around the UK usually moving on once every four years or so, variety being the spice of life and all that. I'm (very) happily divorced - no children or pets (lost them in the divorce too) and not many plans for replacements. I have a typically large extended northern family and we all manage to (barely) tolerate each other from a safe distance.

My school art teacher fixed me up with a job as a carpet designer before I'd left school - must have really hated me as it was, without doubt, the most boring job known to man. Since then I've worked as a typesetter, art-worker, prepress operator, retoucher and studio manager. For the last five years I have been running a small design business of my own. I have got into photography a lot more recently and as a consequence I have started to incorporate that into my business. My first camera was a Polaroid SX-70 back in my very early teens which was followed by many obscure cameras including a Praktica MTL5, a Kodak Kodamatic 980L and even an APS (hangs head in shame) camera. My current collection is all Canon and comprises of a couple of EOS 20D's, an EOS 350D and an EOS 300X - most of which will, I'm sure, get traded in as soon as something new and shiny gets released in the spring.

I've always been a fan of the classic artists with my favourites being Caravaggio and Rembrandt. Perhaps my biggest inspiration though would have to be my high school art teacher, Molly Midgeley, who took it upon herself as a mission to refine my skills and expended a lot of her free time in guiding and teaching me all that she knew. So to her more than anyone else I am eternally grateful. Apart from that god awful job she stitched me up with. Obviously. I don't really have a particular piece of my own that I would call a favourite as I'm always looking to try something new and different that will improve on what I've done before. It's easy to find a niche and become a one trick pony so I'm trying to avoid that. Seeing the ever increasing standard of work that gets posted here is a good motivation for improvement indeed.

In closing, I'd like to reiterate my thanks to you all and in particular to Caedes and his tireless team for providing and maintaining this site, hopefully this coming year it will be less of a thankless task for them and the focus will be more on the work itself and less on the pro's and cons of it's administration. :-) philcUK

Comments

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::jds
01/15/06 6:11 PM GMT
Congrats,you are an inspiration to us all.....Jim
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.mesmerized
01/15/06 6:36 PM GMT
Way to go, Phil!...very happy to see you here...enjoyed reading your bio and will enjoy an extensive visit to your impressive gallery this week, knowing I will see lots of versatility and professional work...a hearty congratulations...a most worthy AOTW.:Pat.
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The new year is full of time. As the seconds tick away, will you be tossing time out the window, or will you make every minute count?
::kjh000
01/15/06 8:04 PM GMT
Nice to see you in the spotlight. ;) You know I like your work. I'm particularly impressed by your broad span of techniques. You do many different things in different styles, quite inspirational. :) Cheers from Sweden. ^_^
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.DMINATOR
01/15/06 8:07 PM GMT
congratulations Phil !
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.rakurai
01/15/06 8:15 PM GMT
Nice work Phil! I always love your work and you truly do deserve this recognition.
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Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And Eternity in an hour. -William Blake
::CaptainHero
01/15/06 9:24 PM GMT
Well done, always impressed with your work.
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell
.scionlord
01/15/06 9:51 PM GMT
Congratulations Phil.
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'Study the past, if you would divine the future.' - Confucius
.razorjack51
01/15/06 9:57 PM GMT
Congratulations Phil! You're a great guy as well as a great artist and photographer! Enjoy this honor. You deserve it!..=)
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::Morwyn
01/15/06 10:26 PM GMT
Congratulations Phil.. Your work is fabulous and this honor is greatly deserved.
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One bead at a time
::J_272004
01/15/06 10:34 PM GMT
Congrats Phil... another well deserved artist to receive the award, I have always found your work of very high standard and quality, from fractals to photos, always wonderful to look at and a few are in my folder on my computer... Very well done Phil.. take the time this week to sit back, relax and enjoy your honour... =D
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"I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination" / Jimmy Dean
::groo2k
01/16/06 1:55 AM GMT
Congrats Phil. You know how impressed I am with your skills and technique but I am as equally impressed with your knowledge of graphics in general. You know your stuff and you always share it with others. Your tutorials have been top notch. Congrats again.
-Rob
P.S. - My favorite post of yours is Zarathustra.
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::RobNevin
01/16/06 2:39 AM GMT
Blimie, I nearly missed this!

Well done Phil, and richly deserved. I have enjoyed our MANY interactions and have learned much from your contributions whether measured by enjoying your photography, listening to your advise or simply marvelling at the depth of your SPAM knowledge and appreciation. Ok, I was with you until the SPAM, but even best friends need to have differences or one of them is redundant. ;)

Enjoy the spotlight. Congratulations from this side of the pond.

Rob
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You're invited to tour my gallery ••• º¹º¹ºº¹¹º¹¹º¹ºººº¹¹º¹ºººº¹¹º¹ººº
.BRIX
01/16/06 1:01 PM GMT
Congratulations my friend!!, enjoy this week, and we'll enjoy all your images, not just for this week, always.....CONGRATS!!!!! :)
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“Suspiros etereos se abrazan con un beso eterno” Enjoy My Gallery
.ekowalska
01/16/06 1:11 PM GMT
So glad they finally honoured you, Phil. Bass Rock, Edinburgh 2 alone deserves a gold medal! Congratulations. In my opinion you are definitely one of the most telented artisits in Caedes... A person who gives me lot of inspiration and shows me which way to follow. For you stunning work and pure delight for my senses: big THANK YOU.

Ewa
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Here is my gallery "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" Aristotle
.alexis518
01/16/06 2:55 PM GMT
Congrats, Phil, I look forward to taking a slow stroll through your entire gallery. One of the things I enjoy most about your work is the wide variety of subject and style yet always with that eye towards the detail. One of my early mentors always said it's the sum of the details that determines the quality and you always present us with quality. Very interesting bio and I'm sorry you lost your pets. Alexis
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We make a living by what we get; but we make a life by what we give.
::kodo34
01/16/06 3:09 PM GMT
congratulations Phil ; well deserved.
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have a nice day and read more fantasy. my images
&Crusader
01/16/06 6:47 PM GMT
Congrats Phil. Very well deserved spotlight. Your works are amazing and sets a standard for us other "non artists" ;) to achieve to.

Now if only you would devote more time to some space art.... *evil grin*
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+ppigeon
01/16/06 6:54 PM GMT
Hahaaa! I knew you'll got it!. Congratulations, Phil. Thanks for your great gallery and continuous support on the forums :-)
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-Pierre-
.Dunstickin
01/16/06 8:40 PM GMT
Many congratulations Phil....I have always admired your work, and have known you would, one day, get the recognition your really deserve....You are very informative and considerate in commenting on other members images.and you regularly have a 'nice' word for them! ...although we have never met...I feel and know you are one terrific guy!
Very well done....Bob
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::laurengary
01/16/06 11:22 PM GMT
Congratulations Phil ! A very well deserved honor ! Enjoy your time in the sun, just like we all enjoy your work . I'm very happy to see you so recognized ! Well done !
Lauren
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Ask Not For Whom The Bell Tolls .......Let The Machine Get It ........ MY GALLERY
::verenabloo
01/17/06 2:53 AM GMT
Very happy for you on this Phil...its a wonderful thing to know people adore your art work. And I particularly like to see your "texture' photos...and all the different cars etc..since I love that kind of stuff..You have a nice variety of creations as well and are so good with people. Thats important, because its unselfish...to share yourself is a lovely thing , and for us who appreciate your work, its especially good, because we all learn from you. Thank you for letting us all know a bit more about you...You certainly deserve a big of recognition and fun in having this happen...bravo my friend.......verena
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Simplicity is Elegance..Thoreau
.mimi5947
01/17/06 6:39 AM GMT
Whoo-hoo! Congratulations Phil! Thanks so much for the wonderfully detailed bio as well as your wonderfully detailed gallery! You are the one artist who's work I couldn't guess by the thumbnail (except most of your space pieces)! You do mix it up and you have not gotten 'stuck in the rut' that some of us get caught in. You have managed to enjoy the most out of life through some rough, antagonistic times in your personal life. I especially enjoy your humor and your continued support of this site. I wish only the best for you and have had a blast when we have had the opportunity to chat.
Thanks for all the good you do and enjoy your week of acknowledgement. It is well deserved my friend ~~ :~)
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~ Mimi~
::kiciaczek
01/17/06 11:49 AM GMT
Congratulations Phil! you deserve this honor!
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"Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought." Albert Szent-Gyorgi
.nmsmith
01/17/06 1:28 PM GMT
Another wonderful choice for Artist of the Week! They're picking all my favorites. Congratulations Phil - it's a well deserved honor - you have an awesome gallery. Kudos!
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+mayne
01/17/06 6:29 PM GMT
It is great to see you in the spotlight Phil...now where is that personal pic to go with the biography? You are always a great show:-)
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Darryl
::heidlerr
01/17/06 8:44 PM GMT
Congratulations Phil! Your gallery of images is a joy to view and reflects the wonderful skills that God has blessed you with. Enjoy your time in the spotlight.
Russ
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View the world with your mind's eye. Mr. Russ
.priyanthab
01/18/06 7:41 AM GMT
Hi Phil. Its nice to know that you have beeing chose and congratulations on your achievement. Well done and keep up your good work!
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Kindly visit my gallery and comment on my photos.
akashastrega
01/18/06 3:38 PM GMT
See...YOU DID find that pot of gold at the rainbow's end, after all.

While you are a talented artist, and you do fantastic work...I feel I must point out that there is one subject you have yet to capture with your talented eye (and feel your gallery will remain incomplete without it)...the elusive can of SPAM...I know it is a wiley subject, hard to capture on film, but with your great talents, if anyone can...you can.

Seriously though, congratulations!!
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Look to the Future, Remeber the Past, but Live in the Present, and Never forget to tell those you love "I Love You", you may not get another chance.
::philcUK
01/18/06 4:09 PM GMT
Not to mention a breach of the code of conduct copyright rules :-)
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"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps"
::Nikoli
01/18/06 5:11 PM GMT
It's about time if you ask me.
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The cage is open but the beast is asleep.
::ianmacappin
01/18/06 6:01 PM GMT
Hey Phil, Well done mate. I think your work is stunning you really know how to get a good shot. I especially like , The Taking of Christ c.1598, which is one of the best things I have ever seen here on Caedes. I look forward to seeing more of your work.Congratulations.
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Don`t cover yourself in petrol and smoke.
.Flurije
01/18/06 9:42 PM GMT
Aww, yay! I'm just joining in the accolades for you. I think your comment on my photograph was one of the first that I had gotten on this site, so many thanks :) The prize is very well deserved -- I haven't seen many other galleries on here as diverse and consistently high quality as yours :)
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"Morals, like clothes, change with the fashions, or, perhaps the fashions change to adorn the morals." Florence Reed
.ron_pistner
01/19/06 12:15 AM GMT
Hey Phil!! Congrats, you had this long before the contest.. Your comments over the time were a lot of help.
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-The true lens is the eye itself. -
.Trin
01/20/06 11:19 AM GMT
Gongrats Phil!
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a field of stahya in the springtime...
::arneh
01/20/06 3:09 PM GMT
More congratulations from Sweden, Keep up your good work, Phil !
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-- Arne --
::Paul_Gerritsen
01/20/06 7:03 PM GMT
Who else deserves it better than you Phil!
Congrats and cheers! I find so many thing of inspiration and techniques in your work, I hope you don't mind I store them in a save grey place for use later.
Stay around at Ceades and let us enjoy your magnificent show.
Paul Gerritsen
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If you can't find the words, you may as well shoot it...
+photoimagery
01/21/06 10:21 PM GMT
Phil: It's about time you showed up here. Your images are in deed always an inspiration to all. They are always great and just getting better with time. I always look forward to seeing your new entries, unfortunately not always leaving comments but always voting.
Keep up the inspirational work.
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.Armageddon
01/29/06 12:52 AM GMT
Congratualtions Phil. It doesnt get much better? eh. Nice knowin a bit about you and good luck.

Rye
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Its as simple as life.
::tadurham
02/13/06 1:46 AM GMT
I'm glad to see you get recognized for your contributions on Caedes. Congrats!
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"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt

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