PHIL BUYTENDORP was born in 1961 in Brandon, Manitoba, into a family of respected artists. His mother was a potter and both his grandfather and father, George Buytendorp, have well-established reputations in Europe and Canada. Their paintings are actively being collected and have been consistently appreciating in value.

Starting at an early age, Phil accompanied his father on extended painting trips throughout the prairies and the Canadian Shield. He has fond recollections of those days and says, “Having grown up in a creative family, support and encouragement were plentiful. Having had access to a considerable library of art literature and images at home, and regularly attending exhibitions further added to the stewing pot of my inspiration.”

He took his formal training in art theory at the Brandon Allied Arts Centre in 1978-79. Moving to Calgary in 1982, he worked in the construction trades. Weekends were spent sketching, exploring and painting the Rocky Mountain foothills. He first began to paint in earnest after moving to the Fraser Valley in 1987, when he began an apprencticeship under his father. He learned not only artistic fundamentals, but also many important technical subtleties, since his father is a renowned fine art restorer in addition to being a painter.

Phil moved to Piers Island in the southern Gulf Islands in 1997, painting coastal landscapes from the sketches and photos of his numerous boat trips through the Inside Passage. At that time, he decided to make painting his full-time occupation. His work received a very positive reception among the art community from the outset and his reputation continues to grow.

Phil is an accomplished outdoorsman and mariner who has a perceptive and intense appreciation and love of the natural environment. “It is amazing what is out there,” he says, but he also observes, “Beauty doesn’t always hit you on the forehead, you know; sometimes you have to go looking for it.” He lives true to his words, exploring places off the beaten track whenever he is able. For him, this is nothing less than an imperative.