Ephemeral NatureMy landscapes are an attempt to capture the transitory character of the natural world. I paint landscape as a way to preserve or recall a particular scene that I would otherwise pass by. I love how light can animate even the most ordinary scene, and I hope to express that quiet joy by creating a lasting impression of that moment on canvas. I look for the overlapping patterns in nature for my subjects. Often these are more sensed than seen—it takes careful observation of the nuanced colors and the multitude of details to discover the inherent composition in a landscape. Once these patterns reveal themselves, I interpret them with oil paint. It begins with the careful choosing and mixing of colors while being sensitive to values and color temperatures. These are then applied to the canvas in layers using purposeful brush strokes. Selective glazing is then used to add depth. My satisfaction with a painting comes from how well the distillation of the information I saw in a scene comes together to capture the mood. My hope for viewers is that they feel invited into the painting. I like to think of my paintings as gateways into a different way of seeing our world. Our busy lives demand so much of our attention that moments of reflection are precious but all too often are overlooked. Capturing a momentary scene in paint saves that moment for subsequent reflection. I am also an avid musician, runner, and hiker, all of which influence my art. Trying to master the complex phrasing of a seemingly simple blues tune reminds me of the challenge of mixing the subtle variations of colors found in nature. Running in my rural neighborhood, I notice the fleeting changes of mood and light in the everyday, which inspires me to try to paint those passing moments. Résumé: Shows / Juried ExhibitionsRoby King Gallery, Americana, Bainbridge Island, Washington (July 2011)Peterson-Cody Gallery, Ruralscapes, Santa Fe, NM (June 2011)Roby King Gallery, Streets and Roads, Bainbridge Island, Washington (May 2011)Blue Horse Gallery, Flora & Fauna, Bellingham, Washington (May 2011)Roby King Gallery, Water Shapes II, Bainbridge Island, Washington (March 2011)Galerie Belle Ame, One Man Show, Eagle, Idaho (March 2011)Peterson-Cody Gallery, Third Place winner, Fresh Paint Competition, Santa Fe, NM (Dec. 2010)Sitka Art Invitational, Portland, Oregon (Nov. 2010)Lawrence Gallery, Catching the Look, Sheridan, Oregon (Nov./Dec. 2010)Lawrence Gallery, Gleneden Beach, Oregon (Sept./Oct. 2010)Columbia Center for the Arts, 2010 Pacific Northwest Plein Air Competition, Hood River, OR (Sept. 2010)Gallery by the Bay, Brushes with the Land, Stanwood, Washington (June 2010)Roby King Gallery, 4 Man Show, Bainbridge Island, Washington (May 2010)Estacada Arts Commission, Estacada on the Clackamas, Estacada, Oregon (May 2010)Columbia Center for the Arts, Agriculture, Hood River, Oregon (May 2010)The McKenzie River Trust, The Living River, Eugene, Oregon (Apr. 2010)Williamette Falls Heritage Foundation, Art & Industry - Bull Run Powerhouse (Oct. 2009)Allison Inn & Spa, "Art of the Allison Collection", Newberg, Oregon (Sept. 2009)Roby King Gallery, Contemporary Realism, Bainbridge Island, Washington (July 2009)Lawrence Gallery, Fleeting Views, Portland, Oregon (January 2009)Williamette Falls Heritage Foundation, Art & Industry - Hawley Powerhouse (Oct. 2008)Roby King Gallery, Miniatures Show, Bainbridge Island, Washington (Dec. 2008)Lawrence Gallery, The Ephemeral Northwest Landscape, Sheridan, Oregon (June 2008)Roby King Gallery, Translate the Landscape, Bainbridge Island, Washington (July 2008)Sitka Art Invitational, Portland, Oregon (1995 - 2006)Margo Jacobson Gallery, Portland, Oregon (1998 - 2000)Gango Gallery, Portland, Oregon (1995 - 1996)Corporate Collections & Private Collections - selected listBureau of Land Management, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, UtahMorrison Karsten Group, Santa Rosa, CaliforniaEteck, Inc., Beaverton, OregonColumbia Funds, Inc., Portland OregonManpower Incorporated, Portland, OregonMs. Mia Mather, New York, New YorkMs. Karlene Kahlstrom, Bellingham, WashingtonMr. and Mrs. Bob Lamphere, Portland, OregonMs. Shannon O'Mahony, Boise, IdahoMr. and Mrs. John Scofield, Washington DC, MarylandMr. Greg Kammerer, New York, New YorkMs. Christina Pera, Milwaukee, OregonMr. and Mrs. Roger Anderson, Houston, TexasMr. Jack Dolhinow, Berkeley, CaliforniaMs. Hilde Kahn, Potomac, MarylandDr. Diane Husband, Mr. Lynn Husband, Sherwood, OregonMr. Wolfgang Janko, Salsburg, AustriaMr. and Mrs. Paul Adams, Indian Springs, CaliforniaPublicationsAmerican Art Collector, "Landscape Special Feature," September 2011American Art Collector, "Art Lover's Guide to Collecting Art in the Pacific Northwest," August 2011American Art Collector, "Ruralscapes – Group Show," Peterson-Cody Gallery, June 2011Southwest Art, "Group Landscape and Cityscape Show, Peterson-Cody Gallery," March 2011American Art Collector, "Fresh Paint – Group Show, Peterson-Cody Gallery," January 2011Landmark, 1000 Friends of Oregon, May 2008Southwest Art, "Market Report-Pacific Northwest," April 1996Landmark, 1000 Friends of Oregon Anniversary Issue, Front Cover, January 1996EDUCATIONBachelor of Fine Arts, Center for Creative Studies-College of Art and Design, Detroit, Michigan (1980)Press Release: Neal Philpott's new collection of oil paintings conveys the beauty and simplicity of the rural Northwest. Philpott is always looking to portray the unusual yet very familiar scenes he encounters. He seeks to record the experience in an honest and convincing way. His style continues to evolve trying to say more with less. The subsequent brushwork and color mixtures are bolder and richer.