By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Hillsboro resident Michael Phillips has no doubt he was meant to be an artist.

“I feel that God has called me to be an artist,” Phillips said. “I’m very excited about art because I’ve wanted to do it since I was a little boy.”

Some of Phillips’ artwork was on display at Tabor College Library, where a reception was held Thursday.

The Derby native earned a degree in fine arts from the University of Kansas. He and his wife, Naomi Phillips, have spent about 19 years in Thailand as missionaries.

He works with a Bible and agricultural training center in northern Thailand. His work has taken him to Laos, Vietnam, and southern China, Phillips said.

They came to Hillsboro in August to be with their sons, Aaron and Levi Phillips, while they get adjusted to living in the U.S. Aaron and Levi are students at Tabor College.

In his art, Phillips works with several media, including pottery, oil painting, watercolor, and charcoal.

Several of Phillips’ paintings are scenes from Thailand and the surrounding areas.

Arrangements were made to display his artwork after a professor invited him to show his work.

Phillips’ artwork will be on display until 11 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Tabor College Library.