Tom Phillips

From the Saddle and Sirloin Club

Thomas Embert (“Tom”) Phillips (1927-2005)

Represented by two works in the collection is Tom Phillips, who served as the illustrator for American Hereford Association publications in Kansas City for many years. Born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Phillips’ artistic talent was recognized at a young age. He studied at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and the Kansas City Art Institute. In addition to traveling the nation to sketch Hereford ranches, Phillips also directed his artistic talent toward recording the history of native peoples. A member of the Chickasaw Nation, he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1998.

In 1970, Tom painted Hereford Association president, William P. Adams. Then in 1985,

he was called on again to create the portrait of world nutrition authority Marion Eugene

Ensminger. Five years later, the artist and the academic collaborated on a textbook project, with Tom Phillips creating the illustrations for Feeds and Nutrition, co-authored by Ensminger.