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.
