In the late 1990s, Phil discovered the wizardry of computers and the magic of Adobe Photoshop. Besides using computer tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator to enhance his drawings and paintings, he began to design Web sites, restore photographs, and develop logos and graphics. Because of Phil's passion for music, he often used his skills to promote famous artists; for example, he developed a national Web site for musician Luba and another promotional site for Kylie Minogue. Album covers are another area of primary interest.
Since the late 1990s, Phil has been heavily involved in the Con*Cept convention in Montreal , which celebrates science fiction and fantasy. During the past year, he has been tasked with completely re-creating the look and feel of the convention's marketing materials, facing the delightful challenge of melding elements of both science fiction and fantasy into an effective marketing campaign. Currently he is Con*Cept's official Web and graphic designer; in the past he has served as Art Director and Art Program Coordinator. Phil has also exhibited his original pieces at this convention and at others in Canada.
Additionally, Phil is extremely dedicated to giving back to the community. For numerous years, he volunteered with Project 10 in Montreal , providing counseling services and a positive role model for young people age 14 to 25. He also used his talents to develop marketing materials for Project 10. An avid swimmers Phil has trained on Montreal 's master swim team A Contre-Courant for over 12 years, he currently trains with the US master swim team Penny Pack Fitness Club in Philadelphia .
Phil Fogel has loved drawing, illustrating, and design since he was old enough to hold a pencil. A resident of the province of Quebec, he is completely bilingual in French and English. As a kid he took up reading comic books. He quickly became entranced by the graphics in D.C. and Marvel comics, and began to imitate that artistic style. His art education began in high school and continued throughout his higher education at Vanier and Dawson College, from which he graduated in 1991 after completing the course of study in Illustration and Design. Fortunately, Phil's college coursework went beyond commercial art alone and allowed him to explore painting and art history, so today he is as capable of creating fine art as he is of designing corporate marketing materials and Web sites.
In addition to comic book characters, Phil's artistic influences include the Art Deco and Nouveau periods. Phil also enjoys the influence of the Greco-Roman era and its accompanying mythology, and points to artists George Perez, Mike Grell, John Byrne, and Alphonse Mucha, as well as the photography of Herb Ritts as inspiration. Favorite media include pen and ink, acrylic, pastels, and photography.
"Springtime With Mucha"
