Phillip Bowles

Phillip Bowles is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Communication Arts and the Art Foundation program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Born in 1983 in Richmond, Virginia, he is a classically trained figurative oil painter who previously served as Artist-in-Residence at Franciscan University of Steubenville from 2018 to 2021.

His educational background includes:

• BFA in Communication Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University (2006)
• MFA from The School of Visual Arts’ Illustration As Visual Essay program (2011)
• Additional studies at The Florence Academy of Art’s U.S. branch in Jersey City, NJ (2015-2017)

Bowles specializes in classical figurative oil painting and drawing techniques, with deep expertise in human form representation and visual storytelling. His artistic practice emphasizes traditional methods while integrating contemporary narrative approaches, directly informing his pedagogy in foundational drawing courses across VCU's art programs. His work maintains strong connections to historical European painting traditions through his training at The Florence Academy of Art.