REBUS WORKS

The year 2026 has been a tumultuous period, marked by global upheaval and profound challenges that test our resilience. Bearing witness to the unfolding events often fills us with righteous anger—a natural response to injustice and suffering. Yet, anger alone cannot be our guide. Resistance that mirrors oppression traps us in cycles of fear and division. In this body of work, I explore the tension between bearing witness to pain and remaining anchored in the creative act of joy and hope. It is an invitation to imagine and work toward a future that is sustainable, equitable, and compassionate. This collection reflects a journey of presence—holding space for the complexities of our time without surrendering the power to create and nurture light. The title, …and we are still here, is a testament to endurance, survival, and the unwavering spirit that propels us forward. Through these works, I invite viewers to join me in witnessing with open hearts and to envision a more connected and compassionate world.  

Jamie McPhail is a contemporary artist based in North Carolina. Her practice is influenced by travel and her 40 year career as a bartender. She explores how environment, relationships, and connections interplay to inform our perspective. Jamie received her BA in Studio Art from UNCW in 1982. She has worked with a variety of mediums including printmaking, oil painting, and ceramics. After taking an industrial welding class at Alamance County Community College and learning blacksmithing with Jimmy Alexander, Jamie attended the Penland School of Craft to focus on metal work. Penland drew her back in 2009 to study the art of encaustic painting. She immediately fell in love with the medium. She attended Penland again in 2019 to expand her knowledge of encaustic techniques. In 2024, she was the Painting Studio Assistant for the encaustic summer session at Penland.

Jamie’s work has been shown in numerous solo and group shows. She has been published in literary magazines and her work has been featured in International Encaustic Artist Magazine. Drawing inspiration from the relaxed looseness of Joan Miro, and the lines and vivid composition of Richard Biebenkorn, Jamie’s aesthetic is driven by color. She uses shapes as a vehicle for vibrant hues. While typically abstract, her paintings are conceived in narrative. By exploring the ways in which we are all connected, Jamie hopes to mitigate divisiveness and manifest a more cooperative and holistic future.