Phillip Payne was born in Durango, Colorado in1987. Soon after, his parents and brother Ben moved to Sedona, Arizona where his father, sculptor Ken Payne, opened Mountain Trails Gallery. Phillip spent the first nine years of his life constantly around art and artists and the gallery. At the age of nine, his family made another move to Chinle, Arizona, the Heart of the Navajo Reservation.

In Chinle Phillip alternated between public schooling and home schooling. His family would also travel as much as possible to study other artists. Phillip finished his first piece, "Legend of the Spanish Mustang", at the age of 15. He continued his schooling in Tsaile, Arizona, where he learned more about the Navajo culture and the arts. Shortly before he turned 18, his family moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico, where they still reside.

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