Phyllis Hilburn spent her early childhood traveling in a military family, seeing much of the United States and the Far East and finally settling in Southern California. The art, architecture, and landscapes of Japan were some of her earliest memories. Once she began formal training in art, among her earliest artistic influences were Rembrandt’s contrasts of light and dark, and the strong emotional line aspects of the works of Durer.

Hilburn attended California State University of Northridge and Woodbury University, where she received a BS with Honors in Commercial Art. While working in the home décor field, Hilburn has explored many media, styles, and subject matters. Currently she is exploring photography and computer art.