Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Phil Gayter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Phil, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

For years, we knocked on the doors of Chicago’s art centers and galleries — and for years, those doors stayed shut. What finally broke through wasn’t another polished submission; it was a joke between two friends. Joe’s an oil painter, and I’m an acrylic guy — water-based. We used to give each other endless grief about our mediums, and somewhere in all that teasing, an idea was born. Why not turn the rivalry into a show? Not just a show — a real conversation between two completely different styles. That was how Oil & Water was born.

We didn’t set out to fit into anyone’s mold. We set out to prove that art doesn’t have to match to matter. It can clash, collide, challenge — and still be engaging, charming, and real. And somehow, that honesty broke through. We were finally invited into venues that once felt impossible to reach. What’s more we stumbled into truly unique, performance art that is, well, art being performed.

They started calling us “the Penn and Teller of Painting” — and honestly, we’ll take it. We took a risk, and six shows later, it’s turned into something bigger than we ever expected. We’re bringing art back to the people, shaking off the old rules, and letting audiences experience something raw, unexpected, and alive.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We first made our names in the high-stakes world of global advertising. Between the two of us, we’ve spent decades working at agencies like Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, and Euro, leading major creative campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands. In that world, creativity wasn’t a luxury — it was a necessity. You had to create work that wasn’t just beautiful — it had to connect, move people, and most of all, sell.

That philosophy is exactly what sets our art apart today. We’re not interested in art that sits quietly on a wall, waiting to be understood. We’re building a new kind of experience — one that invites viewers into a dynamic conversation between two completely different styles and mediums. I work in acrylic, fluid, spontaneous, and bold. And Joe works in oil—rich, deep, and layered. Oil and water. Two mediums that famously don’t mix. Yet, that clash has become the foundation of something fresh, powerful, and unexpected.

What we offer isn’t just paintings — it’s a new way to experience art. Our shows are built to be vibrant, human, and accessible. They’re about celebrating differences, challenging expectations, and most of all, creating work that people want to live with, not just look at.

We solve a problem that a lot of the traditional art world doesn’t even recognize: the growing distance between artists and audiences. Too often, galleries make art feel intimidating, disconnected from real life. We bring it back down to earth — without ever compromising on quality, depth, or creativity.

Since launching our first show, we’ve built a phenomenon on Chicago’s North Shore — six shows and counting, with strong sales, packed openings, and a growing following of collectors who want more than just another painting. They want a story, a spirit, something that challenges them while still making their homes and lives richer.

We’re incredibly proud of the path we’ve carved — not by waiting for permission, but by forging our own. What we want people to know is that if you’re looking for art that sparks conversation, that feels alive, that challenges and charms in equal measure — you’re in the right place.

We’re not just redefining what we create — we’re redefining how people experience it. And we’re just getting started.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely — we’re here to blow up the old rules about what art is supposed to be.

For too long, the art world has made creativity feel like a private club — something reserved for insiders with the right vocabulary or the right connections. We’re not interested in that. Our mission is to make art accessible, immediate, and alive — in the form of a show that doesn’t ask for permission to matter.

We want to sell our work, of course — but the real goal is bigger: we want to shift how people see art. Art shouldn’t whisper. It should shout, laugh, argue, invite you to stay a little longer. That’s the future we’re building — one show, one conversation, one unexpected connection at a time.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist — especially coming from high-pressure advertising careers — is the freedom to create something that connects with people on a deeply personal level, without a filter. In advertising, creativity always had a goal: drive sales, shape perception, build brands. That experience taught us how to make work that moves people. But as painters, we get to take that one step further — we create work that prods people a little and makes them think.

There’s nothing more fulfilling than watching someone connect with a piece, seeing them find part of their own story inside the brushstrokes. Our art isn’t about staying behind velvet ropes in hushed galleries; it’s about sparking conversation, emotion, and sometimes even a little surprise.

What really fuels us is breaking down the old walls between artist and audience and rethinking how people experience art. We love that our shows aren’t just exhibitions; they’re experiences where oil and water collide, differences are celebrated, and people walk away with something real. Whether it’s a new painting on their wall or a new idea in their mind, that moment of connection—that’s everything.
Maybe Banksy will join us when we make it to Broadway!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philgayter_art/. https://www.instagram.com/joebednarskiart/

Image Credits

Patrick Marsec, photography on Phil and Joe’s “performance” images.
Paintings by Phil Gayter and Joe Bednarski