Phyllis Lear was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana - "the heart of Cajun Country". She
attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned a degree in Art and Industrial Arts
Education.

Lear taught visual arts and art history her entire adult life. She has taught kindergarten,
elementary, junior high, high school, and college students.

She holds an M.A. in studio from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, an M.A. in art
history from Louisiana State University and an M.F.A. from Louisiana Tech University.
Lear holds a Type A, Masters +30 teaching license from the state of Louisiana.

In 2005, Lear received the Visual Artist Fellowship from the Louisiana Division of the Arts. Her
work has been exhibited throughout the United States. Private collectors from Toronto to New
Orleans exhibit her art in their homes and businesses.