Meet Phoenix Coverley | Poet, Teacher and Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Phoenix Coverley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Phoenix, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Creating connection by sharing my art and writing with others makes me happy. I think connection is at the heart of the human experience. It may be one of the last things that can not be usurped by artificial intelligence. There really is no substitute.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a multidimensional artist. I do painting, photography and linocut prints. Recently I had my black and white photographs from my poetry book, Siren Tales printed on metal for my upcoming book launch. Using metal has really made the images pop! In addition to photography, my Siren Tales show highlights my prints and paintings on wood. My prints are multi-color hand-carved linocut prints. Each color is a separate carving and each print series averages 100 hours of carving and working with ink to get the right color combination. Print making is truly a labour of love. What makes my prints on wood unique is I paint into the printed images. This makes each piece an original work of art.
I come from a family of artists and I think my art expertise is influenced by my artistic lineage as well as my professional training. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Art from UC Davis, studying under Wayne Thiebauld and Jane Rosen. My training in color theory, drawing and composition are key underlying building blocks to my image making. I have been an artist for over 20 years. Because my art rides the line between craft and fine art I have had the opportunity to build a following of clients who appreciate my style and technique as well as subject matter.
Most of my art both visual and written is influenced by my love of the ocean and nature. The influence of surfing and hiking and the respite I find in the beauty of nature is undeniable in both forms of art I create. I strive to bring the feeling of gliding on a wave or swimming in the depths to those people who buy my prints and poetry. I want to give a moment in time among the elements to my followers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I define the best time ever by striking a balance between good food, good music and spending time in nature. I would take my friend on a hike at Torrey Pines and surf Sunset Cliffs. Undoubtedly we would eat Cioppino or Mussels at El Pescador Fish Market and visit Happy Hour at Miguel’s, The Brigantine or The Bali Hai. Top that off with listening to music and dancing at Beaumont’s for some local sounds, Grande Ole BBQ Y Asado for Honky Tonk, The Conrad for some jazz, or The Belly Up.
During the day we would head to Balboa Park to see a play at The Olde Globe or an art exhibit at The Mingei or San Diego Museum of Art.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Recently I have been blessed to be part of CLI or The Community Literature Inniative which provided me with eight months of poetry instruction, critiques and community at a very reasonable rate. Being a part of CLI season 12 helped me produce my first book, Siren Tales which got picked up by Daxson Publishing and will be released December 2025. I am beyond grateful for CLI’s support in helping me to complete a 100 page poetry book. The book includes surf poetry, poems about hiking, mortality and love. It is a self- reflective tome that is truly from my heart. I am excited to announce that my book launch and an accompanying art show for Siren Tales will be December 7, 2025 from 5-7pm at Kava Collective in San Diego.

In addition to CLI, I am currently working on a memoir and am grateful for the support of my memoir writing group at Writer’s, Ink in Liberty Station and their monthly open mic, Every Prose has its Thorn.

Website: https://phoenixsees.wixsite.com/phoenixseas/about-phoenixseas

Instagram: @themermaidbard @coast.phoenix

Linkedin: Phoenix Coverley

Image Credits
All images by Phoenix Coverley.