Phil Lancaster began his formal training in fine art by earning a BFA in painting at the Memphis Academy of Art and an MFA at Syracuse University. However, his real creative influences have been through travel. Working in the home furnishings industry in product design and overseeing product development for a number of retail companies allowed him to travel all through Europe, South America and Asia. The culture, architecture and landscape of those diverse parts of the world have had an effect on both his approach as well as the final results of the work.