Philemon Reid (1945 – 2009) was an African-American Artist who was creating not with the intention to produce a finished piece of art, but to give nourishment to the artist within him. Reid became interested in art at a very young age and art became part of his life. There was a time in his life when he set aside art for a period of 9 years while he served a term of military duty. After his enlistment ended, he attended college at night and worked full-time during the day. During this period, art was always on his mind and he read several art books. Since that time he continued to draw and paint.
He maintained two professions for many years but finally decided to become a full-time artist. His love for jazz and blues, particularly musicians Miles Davis, John Coltrane and singers Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald, was reflected in his colorful sculptures and paintings. Although his only formal training in art was in high school, he developed his own unique style that was heavily influenced by the artist Picasso and Cubism. Reid is part of the 1970s artistic movement that took hold in and laid the foundation for creative identity in Portland today. His art is in permanent display at the North Portland’s IFCC, and his early work is showcased by the IFCC’s dance studio. His main media were oil painting and pen and ink. He loved both of them and often rendered a subject in pen and ink as well as in oil painting.
