Biography

In the past twenty years, Philip Frey has developed into one of Maine’s finest landscape painters. Known as a brilliant colorist, Frey paints Maine’s harbors and islands with a bold palette that captures the light and moods of his home state, from the streets of Ellsworth and Portland to Monhegan and Acadia National Park.

Frey is a nationally exhibiting artist best known for his bold paintings of Maine whose primary focus is color and light, and the inherent forms found in nature, interiors, and figures. He paints from direct perception, preferring the dynamic quality, richness, and challenges of working from life.

In 2016, the Zillman Art Museum mounted a solo exhibition of Frey’s work. His work has been highlighted in several books, including Art of Acadia, 2016, and Paintings of Portland, 2018, both by brothers Carl Little and David Little, and in numerous publications, including: Art New England, Gettysburg Review, Maine Policy Review, and Maine Sunday Telegram. In 2018 Marshall Wilkes published Philip Frey: Here and Now, a beautiful monograph on Frey’s career by art historians and critics Carl Little and Daniel Kany. Frey’s work is held in private and corporate collections both nationally and internationally, including those of writer Harlan Coben, The Jackson Laboratory, Dick Wolf Films, Representative Chellie Pingree, Donald Sussman, and the Zillman Art Museum.

Frey studied at Columbus College of Art and Design and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Painting from Syracuse University in 1990. He is a longtime Buddhist practitioner and has traveled to Nepal and India to study Buddhism. In 1995 he became involved in the Ellsworth Meditation Center and remains an active member.

Frey lives in downeast Maine, where he maintains a full-time studio nestled in the woods.

ARTIST Statement

I make paintings that are inspired by the landscape, architecture, interior spaces and the figure. In my daily experience, I pay close attention to the ephemeral qualities of light, color and pattern that often go unnoticed. My process involves the use of brushes, palette knives and squeegees to develop a rich paint surface and abstractions that evoke a sense of momentariness and appreciation for what is seen.

Curriculum Vitae

(Download a PDF of my CV)

Education

BFA (Painting) Cum Laude, Syracuse University, NY, 1990
Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, OH, 1986-1988

Solo Exhibitions

Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, A Quiet Eye, Ellsworth, ME, 2024
Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Ellsworth, ME, ’09, ’11, ’13, ’14, ’16, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20, ‘23, ‘24
Edgewater Gallery, Middlebury, VT, ‘20, 2023
George Marshall Store Gallery, York, ME, 2019
Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Here and Now, Ellsworth, ME, 2018
Edgewater Gallery, New Work, Middlebury, VT, 2018
Carver Hill Gallery, Frey & Lafuente, Rockland, ME, 2017
University of Maine Museum of Art, Parallels: Philip Frey, Bangor, ME, 2016
Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Unexpected Light, Ellsworth, ME, 2014
Maine Art Gallery, New Works, Kennebunk, ME 2015
Couthouse Gallery Fine Art, In the Moment, Ellsworth, ME, 2014
Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Island Portrait, Ellsworth, ME, 2013
Gleason Fine Art, New Work, Boothbay Harbor, ME, 2012
Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, New Work, Ellsworth, ME, 2011
Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Maine Harbors, Ellsworth, ME, 2009
The Gallery on Chase Hill, The Works of Philip Frey & Stephan Pastuhov, Kennebunk, ME, 2009
Thos. Moser, Luminous Maine: Reflections of Coastal Life, Freeport, ME, 2008
Shaw Jewelry, Interiors/Exteriors: Frey & Banquer, Northeast Harbor, ME, 2006

Selected Group Exhibitions

Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Ellsworth, ME, 2006-2024
Greenhut Galleries, Portland, ME, 2001-2004, ’14’, ‘16, ’17, ’18, ‘20, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24
Edgewater Gallery, Middlebury, VT, ‘17, ‘20, 2021
Maine Art Gallery, Kennebunk, ME, 2008-2018
Thos. Moser, Freeport, ME, 2008, 2016, ‘17
Gleason Fine Art, Boothbay Harbor & Portland, ME, 2010-2016
Bert Gallery, Providence, RI, 2014
University of Maine, Lord Hall Gallery, Orono, ME, 2010
The Firehouse Gallery, Damariscotta, ME, 2003-2009
Maine Art Gallery, (2-person show), Kennebunk, ME, 2009
Shaw Jewelry, Northeast Harbor, ME, 2001-2008
Élan Fine Art, Rockport, ME, 2007
George Marshall Store Gallery, ME, 2006
Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport, ME, 2004, ‘09
Target Gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, 2003
Clark House Gallery, Bangor, ME, 1998-2001
Argosy Gallery, Bar Harbor, ME, 1997-2000
McGrath Dunham Gallery, Castine, ME, 1996-2000
Between the Muse Gallery, Rockland, ME, 1997
Spring Street Gallery, Belfast, ME, 1997
June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland, ME, 1996
Frick Gallery, Belfast, ME, 1994

Collections

The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Zillman Art Museum - University of Maine, Bangor, ME
Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Ellsworth, ME
Harlan Coben, NJ
Dick Wolf, Dick Wolf Films. Universal City, CA
Susan and Rod Ward, Great Cranberry Island, ME
Company C, Concord, NH
Rep. Chellie Pingree and Donald Sussman, ME/DC
Frederick Hauck and Susan Bruce, Falmouth, ME
George and Susan Schreiber, Naples, FL
James and Isabelle Katzer, Bedminster, NJ
Louis Vitali, Kennebunkport, ME
Neil Shister and Cait Clarke, Washington, DC
Peter and Suzy Kunhardt, NY
Acorn Capitol Management, Kennet Square, PA

Awards

Castine Plein Air Festival, First Place Award, 2014
Heliker-LaHotan Foundation Residency Fellow, Great Cranberry Island, ME 2012
Good Idea Grant, Maine Arts Commission, Augusta, ME 2004

Bibliography

Little, Carl. “The Portland Show.” Art New England, 2024.
Arango, Jorge. “Maine’s Natural Beauty Masterfully Portrayed in…”, Portland Press Herald, 2023.
Dahmen, Jane. Talking Art in Maine, Intimate Conversations, 2021.
Kany, Daniel. “Art review: Regrets, he has a few…” Portland Press Herald, 2019.
Kany, Daniel, and Carl Little. Philip Frey: Here and Now. Marshall Wilkes, 2018.
Little, Carl, and David Little. Paintings of Portland. Down East Books, 2018.
Kany, Daniel. “Art review: Borne from a rich history…” Portland Press Herald, 2018.
Kany, Daniel. “‘Portland Show’ offers stunning view of city.” Portland Press Herald, 2018.
Kany, Daniel. “Art Review: The other outstanding art shows of 2017.” Portland Press Herald, 2017.
Burnham, Emily. “Finding Solace in Landscape.” Bangor Daily News, 2016.
Burnham, Emily. ”Mindful of every brush stroke, Maine painter...”. Bangor Daily News, 2016.
Little, Carl, and David Little. Art of Acadia. Down East Books, 2016.
Kany, Daniel. “Greenhut’s Biennial ‘Portland Show’ Sets a....” Portland Press Herald, 2016.
Kinghorn, George. "Regionalism & Contemporary Artists in Maine...” Maine Policy Review 24.1, 2015.
Kadour, Ric Kasini. "Lavish Attention." exhibition catalog, Maine Art Gallery, 2015.
Kany, Daniel. “Summer visual arts: Feel like exploring?…” Portland Press Herald, 2015.
Kany, Daniel. “Greenhut’s 2014 Portland Show is a great exhibition...” Portland Press Herald, 2014.
Little, Carl. "In the Moment.” Art New England, 2014.
Kany, Daniel. “The Cultural Space of Painting.” catalog, Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, 2014.
Gettysburg Review, Fall 2012.
Little, Carl. “Fresh Ways.” exhibition catalog, Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, 2011.
McAvoy, Suzette, “The Canvas.” Maine Home+Design, 2010.
Maine Home+Design, “One’s to Watch.” 2009.
Maine Home+Design, “Extraordinary Artists Whose Work Reflects Maine’s....” 2008.
Little, Carl & Arnold Skolnick. Paintings of Maine: A New Collection. Down East Books, 2006.
Little, Carl & Arnold Skolnick. The Art of Monhegan Island. Down East Books, 2004.

Teaching Experience

Schoodic Institute, Painting Workshops, 2018-2024
Winslow Art Center, 2020-2024
Art Waves, Painting Workshops, 2012-2020
College of the Atlantic, Painting Workshop, 2017
River Arts, Painting Workshops, 2008-2012, ’14, ’16, 17’
University of Maine Museum of Art, Painting & Drawing Workshops, 2008-2012
River Tree Arts, Painting Workshops, 2008, ’12
Maine Alliance for Arts Education, Learning in Community Mentor, 2002-2009
Ellsworth High School, Interim Art Teacher, 1998
Swan’s Island School, K-8 Art Teacher, 1998-2002
Ellsworth High School, Artist in Residence, 1996-2000
Summer Festival of the Arts, Southwest Harbor, Painting Instructor, 1996-2000