It’s one thing to dream about being an artist. It’s another thing entirely to build an art career with clarity, intention, and long-term vision.
Noelle Phares did just that.
After earning degrees in biochemistry and environmental science, Noelle spent years working in a tech-based conservation role. She believed in the mission—but felt disconnected from the day-to-day reality of the job. Despite a decade of investment in her science career, she made a bold decision to walk away without a backup plan.
She knew what she wanted.
What followed was a creative reinvention grounded in purpose. She didn’t just start painting—she treats each body of work like a project. That mindset, carried over from her days as a scientist, has become the foundation of her thriving career.
In this episode of The Art Biz—the first of a two-part conversation—Noelle and I talk about:
- Why she left science without knowing what was next
- How she structured her first creative projects before she ever sold a painting
- The deep connection between research, storytelling, and her visual work
- Her process behind Tracking Time, a solo museum exhibition about the Colorado River
- What it is like to collaborate with curators and institutions
- Why she prioritizes both meaning and beauty in her work
Noelle’s story is a powerful reminder that there’s no single formula for success as an artist. But having a strong vision—and following it with courage and purpose—can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Listen
Listen to part 1, then come back next week for Part 2, where we’ll dig into Noelle’s business model, marketing strategies, and her approach to balancing independence with gallery representation.
Reflection
What kind of project would give your art more structure and meaning right now?
Why does it matter to you?
How would it feel to complete it and share it with others?
Noelle Phares Quotes
“I loved the field [of environmental science], but I didn’t really love practicing it.”
“I’ve always had this wild dream of being an artist, which felt really counter to this career as a pretty structured scientist.”
“Even from the very beginning, I treated my art like a series of projects.”
“The rigor of my work ethic came directly from my background in science—and it still serves me today.”
“So much of environmental science is about calling the signal from the noise. That’s the same skill I use now to shape a cohesive show.”
“I’m someone who sells almost everything I make, but I also leave room for creative play. That’s where growth and innovation happen.”
“Beauty is a tool I use to get people’s attention. I’m often painting about doom-and-gloom topics, but beauty helps them look closer.”
“I always think about where a painting will live—how it will connect with someone, and what kind of space it will shape.”
Mentioned
Tracking Time exhibition at BMoCA
Tracking Time details on Noelle’s site
Related Episodes
About Noelle Phares
Noelle Phares brings a fresh perspective into her contemporary landscape paintings through examination of the tension between organic and synthetic. As an environmental scientist by training, she allows the same topics that drove her work in the natural sciences to now guide her creative endeavors.
Her body of work combines landscape elements with structural geometry to create fractured architectural landscapes that explore the ever-encroaching presence of humanity into previously pristine open spaces.
Follow Noelle on Instagram: @noellephares
