Phil Porter

"The surprise and delight of color makes my spirit sing. In a long life of making things—all sorts of things—the exploration of color has been a consistent through-line."

Phil Porter is a professional improviser who has learned from experience that he can expect the unexpected to emerge just a few steps beyond what he can merely imagine. Taking hold of what shows up and giving it concrete shape—bringing together inspiration and craft—is his path. His current work in polymer, with its many powers and superpowers, is leading to a wide range of creations that are lively, fun, and a joy to behold.

Phil combines the infinite color possibilities of polymer with hand-crafted metal findings to create unique jewelry. He often builds complex patterns, taking advantage of the polymer’s ability to be mixed or to hold its shape. He combines design elements to create visual interest and interaction in each piece. Polymer is durable and lightweight, perfect for wearable art.

Phil has a Masters Degree in Design from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied textile and graphic design. Among other things, he has created hand-dyed textile artwork, large-scale visual installations in public spaces, computer-generated art, and websites. He co-created an improvisational practice/philosophy called InterPlay which has grown into an international movement. His current obsession with polymer grew out of a phase of making jewelry from his large collection of beads.