For Phil Chandler painting is a lot more than a hobby, it’s a gift from the heart.

Phil has been drawing and painting ever since he was a young boy, when his great-aunt taught him how to draw in the sand yards, on the ground.

Now his art work has come full circle and can be purchased from The Principal’s Palette Gift Boutique in Winder.

"It’s really relaxing," Phil said as we sat together at the quaint boutique in Winder, surrounded by his artwork. "It shows your mood," he said.

Phil’s art is a mixture of experiences he has encountered throughout his life. He’s inspired by many things — conversation, music, movies and historical aspects of Barrow County. All of his artwork is special and has a story behind it.

"It’s a mixture of stuff," Phil said. "I don’t try to center in on one particular thing, it’s a lot of different things. Sort of just what comes across my mind at the time," he said.

A painting of a ship hangs upon the wall that was inspired by a conversation with his buddy about sailing.

"We were listening to the song ‘I’m your Captain’ by Grand Funk [Railroad]," Phil explained.

Phil’s work is mostly acrylic based and is painted on all sorts of canvases, some of them old farm tools and plywood.

Some of the historical paintings revolve around legends such as the Wog.

"It’s been passed down over the years through grandparents and so on," said Phil. "It the history of Jackson County ... they talked about the Wog and told us stories as we were growing up, so I’m trying to carry on the tradition," he said.

The Wog is a legendary animal that looks like a cross between a wolf and a bear. Legend has it that it resides in the forests of Barrow County.

"When kids come down I’ll tell them stories about the Wog," said Phil.

Another painting features a group of old men playing checkers in front of the old courthouse.

He also does some sculpting, pencil sketching, carving and three-dimensional work.

Phil started out at technical school studying commercial art and design.

He has lived in Winder his entire life; his wife is deceased and he has three grown children.

When asked if it’s difficult to let go of his paintings sometimes, Phil smiled.

"No, I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing all my life, is giving them away ... as presents, something from somebody ... from the heart," he said.

His artwork can be purchased at The Principal’s Palette Gift Boutique in Winder.

The Barrow County Historical Society and Friends are being invited to join artist Phil Chandler for a gallery exhibit featuring Chandler’s original artwork from his series entitled Barrow County History.

Chandler is a life-long resident of Barrow County and the owner of Barrow County’s ancient Nodoroc Volcano site.

The exhibit is scheduled for Thursday, July 9 at 4-8 p.m. at The Principal’s Palette Gallery and Gift Boutique at 9 W. Wright St., in Winder and is sponsored by owner and artist, Lynn Hammond.

A Gallery one-day sale is also in progress to begin at 10 a.m.

For more information, call (770) 867-1320.