Artist of the Year 2006 Phil Kiser

2006 Artist of the Year, Phil Kiser

A talented artist specializing in dimensional mosaics, Phil Kiser uses a variety of mediums to create stunning works of art that capture the spirit and essence of a vibrant coastal community. Kiser, a self-taught artist, combines hundreds of hand-cut pieces of glass and objects to capture light and create magnificent replicas of coastal scenes and subjects.

Vibrant colors and diverse textures are created through the use of many mediums, ranging from glass bottles, coffee cups and antique plates to mason jars, mirrors and vintage glass. He prides himself on being able to use whatever is there. A recent piece inspired by VanGogh entitled starry night over 30A features a Seagrove Beach home created out of beer, Sky Vodka, wine bottles as well antique stained glass and yellow glass from an old church.

Kiser’s interest in art developed at an early age. Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, he remembers always being good at drawing and was frequently asked by friends and family to draw pictures of area landscapes and the people of his community. In the mid-70’s he started sculpting and in the ‘80s, he began experimenting with tiles and mosaics. His mosaics evolved from granite and marble as he began incorporating mirror and stained glass. This evolution began one day when Kiser needed more supplies to finish a mosaic, he grabbed a glass bottle that was in his workshop and broke it using the shards of glass to finish the piece. While the flesh wounds ran deep, the act inspired a new type of art.

After leaving the construction industry, he made the courageous decision to invest all of his time and energy into his art. Building on his childhood skills from his family of master craftsmen and many years of experience in the construction and structural concrete repair industries, Kiser now applies his creativity and brilliant mind for combining materials to produce awe-inspiring works of art.

Today, Kiser tumbles his own glass and even makes his own adhesives. He uses only environmentally-friendly materials, and all of his glues are water-based. Kiser has commented that with the lack of chemicals his work must be treated like a painting and should not be left out in the rain (but admits that he still has some original pieces in his yard that are still weathering the elements).

Kiser has lived throughout the state of Florida and has called Beaches of South Walton home for nearly five years. He is inspired by the area’s coastal subjects and rare beauty. He is frequently found piecing together sea turtles or palm trees, and some of his favorite subjects include mermaids, jazz men (and women), alligators and landscapes along Scenic Highway 30-A. He has been embraced by the area’s thriving arts community and enjoys friendships with local talents including impressionist painter Alison Devon-Tanner (aka Sweet Pea) and Debbie Went-Lane (aka Queen of Funk). His work is on display at Big Mama’s Hula Girl Gallery in Grayton Beach.

2005 Artist of the Year - Justin Gaffrey

2004 Artist of the Year - Susan Lucas

2003 Artist of the Year - Dorothy Starbuck