BETWEEN THE LINES. Bethany Phillips, illustrator and Eau Claire resident behind Hollow Pen, maps out the next stage of her current illustration. Phillips will host a summer gallery at SHIFT Coffee Bar (615 Graham Ave.) in downtown Eau Claire.

What secrets can a hollow pen hold? More than one might imagine, especially when that pen is the vessel for illustrator and Eau Claire resident, Bethany Phillips, whose work invites viewers to reconsider the ordinary and observe the complexities found within seemingly simple objects.

Phillips spent her early schooling and college years sketching in notepads. Inspired by days spent in antique stores, surrounded by vintage decorations and ephemera — along with an influx of creatives in the city she calls home — she was determined to pursue her artistry full-time.

Phillips’ artistic pursuits have led to an upcoming gallery installation at SHIFT Coffee Bar (615 Graham Ave.) in downtown Eau Claire, where she will present up to 15 original pen and ink illustrations.

Bethany Phillips, pictured above, presents a fine-line illustration of curtains over a window.

The beauty of getting lost in a picture, bookshelf, or even a windowsill, drives Phillip’s illustrations. She aims for gallery visitors to appreciate the subtle details in her art, which reflect her interests and the environments that have influenced her.

“I wanted (my work) to feel like you stumbled into something or stumbled upon something,” Phillips said. “I really love doing shelves — like a bookshelf — and finding ways to put in all these different details and incorporate plants into that (scene)."

A view into her home art studio exemplifies this truth, overflowing with papers, pens, works in progress, and her cat, Hollow — the namesake of her artist profile — at her feet.

These works, whether they be inspired by bookshelves or plants escaping through bay windows — like an iSpy book — are complete with intricate details that often escape the beholder. Phillips’ original illustrations depict candles with movement, woven baskets, classic novels, and more — using her favorite 0.3 Faber-Castell pens.

"IT'S AN EXCITING THING, TO BE OUT OF INK, AND MOVE ON TO YOUR NEXT PEN."

BETHANY PHILLIPS

ILLUSTRATOR, HOLLOW PEN

Phillips estimated she used more than five pens' worth of ink during the development of this gallery throughout the year; beyond that point, she said, the precise number became insignificant. In turn, the act marks a continual growth of her creative passion.

Gallery installation flyer, illustrated by Phillips, at SHIFT Coffee Bar.

“It’s an exciting thing, to be out of ink, and move on to your next pen,” Phillips said. “You have to find new inspiration and continue to develop.”

The Hollow Pen gallery will be installed on July 14 and remain on display throughout the remainder of the summer. Phillips will have original illustrations, prints, and stickers available for purchase.

Phillips, who is also a barista at SHIFT, has found an ever-changing sense of inspiration from the shop and other third spaces throughout the city. Curiosity and community both thrive in this environment, where personalities come to life over cups of coffee, she noted.

 

“I get most inspired by other people — in the ways that they decorate their space, how they present themselves, or the things that they carry,” Phillips said. “I find myself most drawn to my pieces that are of shelves and finding ways to put pieces of myself or my loved ones in them.”

The "Out Of Ink" sticker by Hollow Pen.

Prior to her upcoming gallery, slated to go up July 15, Phillips’ botanical-inspired stickers have become a best-seller online, and a testament to her attention to detail. Each design incorporates tactile elements to highlight the intricate line work and precision of her illustrations. The “Out Of Ink” sticker — alongside her additional designs — currently retail for $5 each.

Her original pieces and prints will be individually priced during the installation phase of the gallery.

Phillips’ motifs of flora and fauna — emerging from glass bay windows — have become a recurring and evolving element of sketches that are currently in the works. Each new leaf and vine will receive meticulous attention to its patterns and form, a real-time reflection of her soul within the artwork, she noted.

"I find comfort in the really intricate details of the work, the repetition of the work, and seeing that every leaf matters," Phillips said.

For updates and announcements on Bethany Phillips’ upcoming gallery at SHIFT Coffee Bar (615 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) – which begins July 15 – visit their social media platforms online (@hollow_pen).