Sasha Phillips Members Exhibition Feature;
For artist Sasha Phillips, painting is more than a creative act — it’s a practice of mindfulness, storytelling, and connection. Drawing inspiration from color, form, and the human experience, Sasha brings a thoughtful, intuitive energy to her work in the 2025 Touchstone Members Exhibition. Her piece invites viewers to explore their own interpretations and emotions through open-ended visual storytelling. Alongside her featured painting, images from a plein air event at Touchstone in 2022 capture Sasha in her element — translating light, landscape, and feeling into color.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashaphillipsart Website: https://www.artwellnessadvocates.com
Read more about Sasha in this interview by Erica Nuckles, PhD, Touchstone Communications Committee member and Director of Learning, Engagement and Partnerships at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA.
What is your Touchstone story? How did you first hear about it and what drew you to be involved?
I first heard about Touchstone through a friend who had attended workshops there. I was drawn to the community aspect and the opportunity to learn from different artists.
Can you tell us about your journey as an artist—where did it begin, how has it evolved?
My journey as an artist began in early childhood, painting alongside my grandfather in Moscow, Russia. I always painted but never considered art as a career until I received a full four-year scholarship to Shepherd University in the U.S. One catch – I had to maintain a 3.0 GPA, but I did not speak much (if any) English. I quickly turned to art, declared painting as my major, and managed to get all A’s painting and drawing, which carried me over until I learned enough English. I later went on to get my Masters, and continued learning, teaching and using art as an advocacy tool.
How do you describe your work(s) in the Touchstone Members Exhibition? Where did you find inspiration?
My piece in the exhibition is an exploration of color and form with a strong element of storytelling. The story is not fully told – it’s left up to the viewer’s imagination.
What’s something unique about your process, materials, or approach?
I tend to work intuitively, allowing the objects and materials to guide the process. I often incorporate found objects or unexpected textures into my work. I also focus on the wellness aspects of the art and start with a color meditation which informs my palette.
How do you hope viewers engage with or interpret your work? What would you like them to take away?
I hope viewers find a personal connection to the work, perhaps seeing something that resonates with their own experiences or emotions. I’d like them to feel a sense of curiosity or wonder. I would like this to be an ongoing dialogue between the piece and the audience.
What does it mean to you to be featured in an exhibition at Touchstone?
It’s an honor to be featured at Touchstone. It feels like a validation of my artistic journey and a wonderful opportunity to share my work with a supportive community.
Do you have anything else you would like to share?
I’m really looking forward to the exhibition and seeing everyone’s work.
Visit the 2025 Touchstone Members Exhibition, on view through December 20, 2025, in the Bea Campbell Gallery at Touchstone in Farmington, PA. Check touchstonecrafts.org for gallery hours.