Phillip was born and raised in Washington State, his Tsimshian/Haida family from southeast Alaska's Metlakatla Island. He continues to produce art works reflecting that age-old tradition.

His early art focused on acrylic paintings, but in 1990, while teaching drawing for his brother Al's carving class at Northwest Indian College, he picked up his knives and adzes and in earnest has yet to put them down. Phillip's fine line of balance, harmony and finish is a recognizable trait of Tsimshian carving. He's always been fascinated with transformation and change, and because of his indulgences and attention to detail his work can now be found in numerous private collections in Asia, Europe and the United States.

Phillip has worked in education for the past 15 years, teaching the visual and performing arts to gifted and talented students at the Puyallup Tribe's Chief Leschi School. He is also advocating exceptional education as a lecturer, trainer, and facilitator with University of Okalahoma and Hawaii.

When not pursuing his professional passions, Phillip can be found at home in his kitchen, gardening or playing ball with his Cocker spaniel "Buster," or in some remote ripple casting for steelhead or salmon.