Introduction

Hi, my name is Philip Linder, and I’m a painter. It’s still surreal to say that, but I guess that’s what I am now. Let me tell you a little bit about my journey.

I never considered myself artistic. In fact, I used to think that the arts were just a hobby for people. Growing up, my parents pushed me to excel in sports and academics, and I never really gave art a second thought. And the funny thing is I did pursue sports and academics successfully - I even got into one of the most prestigious universities in the country - West Point - which I attended. 

My life has never felt like it’s taken a straightforward path. And for a good portion of my life, I always felt like I was searching for something. A calling, a purpose. And I’m embarrassed to admit it but for many years I wandered, at least mentally. On the surface I was a serious person - an ambitious, professional, out to make my mark. But on the inside in many ways I was lost. I was one of those people. 

But that changed when I decided I needed to figure out exactly who the hell I was, what I stood for, what motivated me, and how I could best contribute to the world. Inspired by the works of Carl Jung, the famous psychologist, I delved deep into my own personal unconscious to see what would come out the other end. Over the course of several years, I slowly figured myself out. It didn’t happen in one momentary flash - it was a process, which evolved over time. 

And in the process I discovered painting. And once I did, it overtook my life. I was 31 at the time. 

It hasn’t ben easy. Pursuing art as a career is a huge challenge, especially when you’re starting later in life.There have been times when I’ve doubted myself and wondered if I made the right decision. But I know that this is my calling, and I’m not going to give up on it. I can’t, because that means I’ll be giving up on myself. 

I have an art studio at the Jackson Art Center in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington DC, where I work to carve out a future in this business. 

Looking back, I can’t believe how much my life has changed. From a military officer and helicopter pilot, to politics, to a tech startup employee, and now to a painter. It’s been an adventure, with lots of high highs and low lows. 

I’m still on my journey, and it hasn’t been easy. There’s been people in my life that didn’t want to accept this new version of me because it wasn’t want they wanted. But in the process I’ve also gained so many new relationships and friendships from this new pursuit. And if there’s one thing that I’ve learned from all of this, it’s that it’s never too late. Never. 

 I’ve also learned that it’s okay to be many things. You don’t have to be defined by just one thing. For many years I wanted to be one “thing.” An identity. Something I could say definitely to people, I am “x.” Or I am “y.” And the reality is I’m not just one thing. I’m many things. And I’ve had to come to terms with all these things in order to move forward. 

Painting is the thing that came out of my journey of self discovery. It wasn’t what I expected, and certainly is the opposite of what my Ego pursued in my twenties. There’s been times I wished the Muse came to me earlier in life. But I’m glad it came to me when it did, as I still have time to do something with it. 

So it’s time to get to work.