Brenda Chrystie
  • Studio Work
    • Acyrlic
    • Oil
    • Encaustic
    • Mixed Media
  • Public Art
  • About
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Artist Statement

"My work has always traveled the spectrum between abstraction and representation. 2020 is the year of focussing on the blending of the two. I enter the studio with no idea for a painting, only a search for signals that I’m on the right path. Forms and meaning appear only after having interacted with the media to the point when images physically manifest. Marks are made, colors are applied, and the form is set in motion. In the performance of my work, meaningful coincidence as a phenomenon of energy and my own archetypal symbolism is at work. All I can do is suit up, respond energetically, and continue the search for my own artistic voice."

Brenda

Brenda Chrystie

Artist

Since early March 2020, I've been going on daily walks through my neighborhood and nearby woods, taking lots of photographs of things I find to be beautiful: the light through the trees, the overwhelming varieties of greens and blues. It has only been recently that I started painting from these images. 

Born and raised among engineers, this Southern California native defied generations of tradition by choosing Art. However, tinkering and problem solving are in my blood and inherent in my work and process. My work can be found in a number of personal collections and has been featured in few journals and publications. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1999 and in Maple Valley Heights for the past twelve years.

CV

My work can be found in private collections and on the covers of few books and academic journals. If I'm not in the studio, snorkeling, or out enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest, you'll find me working on a mural project, raising support and awareness for the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council and fellow artists, or attempting - yet again - to make the perfect pie crust.
Public Art
2019
  • Paint By Tunnels, a mural project on the Cedar To Green Rivers Trail in Maple Valley, Washington. Project Lead and Artist
Exhibitions
2020
  • Fourth Biennial Visual Impressions, Ryan James Fine Arts, Kirkland, Washington
  • Frolic, Shadow Lake Nature Preserve, Maple Valley, Washington
  • Juried Exhibition, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington; Kathleen Frugé-Brown, Juror
2019
  • Paint By Tunnels Mural, Cedar to Green Rivers Trail, Maple Valley, Washington
  • Juried Exhibition, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington; Suzanne Gardner, Juror
  • Group Exhibition, Lake Wilderness Lodge, Maple Valley, Washington
2018
  • Juried Exhibition, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington; Barbara Newton Benetti, Juror
  • Solo Exhibition, Maple Valley Creative Arts Council, Maple Valley, Washington​
2017
  • Solo Exhibition, Maple Valley Creative Arts Council, Maple Valley, Washington
  • Elegant Beauty: Five Millenia In The Making, Group Exhibition, Shadow Lake Nature Preserve, Maple Valley, Washington
  • Art Walk, Solo Exhibition, The Nutty Squirrel, Maple Valley, Washington
  • Juried Exhibition, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington; Kathleen Moore, Juror
  • Art Walk, Group Exhibition, Eagle River Interiors, Maple Valley, Washington​
2016
  • ArtPrize Eight, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2000
  • Salon De Refuse, Coca, Seattle, Washington
  • New Faculty—New Work, Cornish College Of The Arts, Seattle, Washington
  • Solo Exhibition, Habitude Gallery, Seattle, Washington
1999
  • University Of Idaho Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Prichard Art Gallery, Moscow
1998
  • 1st & 2nd Year MFA Exhibit, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • First International Juried Show, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
  • Streams Of Consciousness, Women’s Caucus Of The Arts Regional Show - Idaho, Washington And Colorado
  • Undergraduate Graduate Faculty Show, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Winter Works Fine Art Show, Steamboat Springs Arts Council, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
1997
  • Honors Exhibition, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Graduate Student Exhibition, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Undergraduate/Graduate Exhibition, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Borderland, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
1994
  • The Elements, Solo Exhibition, The Eleanor Women’s Foundation, Chicago, Illinois
1991
  • 2d/3d Juried Exhibition, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
1990
  • 2d/3d Juried Exhibition, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
1989
  • California Ink And Clay Juried Exhibition, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
Honors & Awards
2020
  • Juror's Choice Award, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington
2019
  • CPRS, Inc. Purchase Prize, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington​
2018
  • Juror's Choice Award, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington
  • CPRS, Inc. Purchase Prize, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington
2017
  • CPRS, Inc. Purchase Prize, Maple Valley Arts Fest, Maple Valley, Washington
1999 
  • Nominated For The Dedalus Foundation Master Of Fine Arts Fellowship, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
1998 
  • Marie Haasch Whitesel Scholarship, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Full Instructional Assistant Scholarship, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
1997 
  • Mary Kirkwood Scholarship, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Graduate Students Association Teaching Excellence Award And Scholarship, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Graduate Student Exhibition Division Winner In Art Award And Scholarship, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Undergraduate/Graduate Juried Show. Cash Award. University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • Full Instructional Assistant Scholarship, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
1996 
  • Full Instructional Assistant Scholarship, University Of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
1992-3 
  • Partial Scholarship, The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
1991 
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior, Fine Arts, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
  • Frances Hook National Scholarship, Two Honorable Mentions, Cash Award
1990 
  • Binney & Smith, Inc., Liquitex - Certificate Of Merit
  • 2d/3d Juried Exhibition - Two Honorable Mentions, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
1989 
  • California Ink And Clay Juried Exhibition - Honorable Mention, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
In the Media
2000
  • "CoCA's mixed bag," Matthew Kangas, The Seattle Times.
1999
  • "Banishing The Demons," The Argonaut, University of Idaho.
1997
  • "Women Artists Featured At New Gallery," The Argonaut, University of Idaho.
Academic Appointments
2017-2019
  • Art Instructor, STEAMboat Studio, Maple Valley, Washington
1999-2000
  • Visiting Instructor, Cornish College Of The Arts, Seattle, Washington
1997-1999
  • Instructor, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
Courses & Workshops
  • Abstract Painting Workshop
  • Beginning Drawing Workshop
  • Life Drawing Workshop
  • Beginning Drawing
  • Beginning Painting
  • ​Art Explorers for Kids
  • Intermediate Drawing
  • Freshman Foundations​​

  • Life Drawing
  • Anatomy for Artists
  • Printmaking Basics
  • ​Drawing Bootcamp for Kids
  • Paint Camp for Kids
  • Mixed Media Relief & Sculpture
  • ​Life Drawing In Anime & Manga Style

Education
  • MFA, University of Idaho
  • BFA, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  • ​BA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona
  • Additional Fine Art course work taken at the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California and at L'Academia de Bella Arti, Florence, Italy
Affiliations
  • Executive Director, Maple Valley Creative Arts Council (MVCAC)​ 
  • MVCAC Alternate, Public Arts Commission, City of Maple Valley
  • Project Manager, Paint By Tunnels, Maple Valley Creative Arts Council (MVCAC)
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Published Artworks

Picture
Ennui
Oil on muslin. 36"w x 50"h. 1998.
Cover image. 
"Once the Shore." Paul Yoon. Cover illustration. Sarabande Books. 2009
Picture
Untitled
Oil and charcoal on paper. 12"w x 14"h. 2000.
Cover image. 
"British Sociology Seen From Without And Within." Edited By A.H. Halsey And W.G. Runciman. Cover illustration. British Academy Publications. 2005.
Picture
Untitled
Ink on paper. 6"w x 4"h. 2001.
Cover image. ​"The Time Machine And The Invisible Man." H.G. Wells. Barnes & Noble Classics, New York. 2005.
Picture
Portrait of Lacan as a Young Man
Oil on canvas. 72"w x 72"h. 1998.
Illustration. Nouveau, Moderne Ou Contemporaine?. Marc-Olivier Dupin, Directeur General. Illustration. "L’ile Joyeuse," Journal Of The National Orchestra Of France. Spring 2000.
Picture
Untitled
Oil on canvas. 24"w x 36"h. 1998.
The Virginia Quarterly Review, Volume 81 – Number 4, University Of Virginia Press – Paintings selected to illustrate the following short stories: "Peacekeeper," By Alan Heathcock; "Smother," By Joyce Carol Oates; "Ina Grove," By R.T. Smith. 2005.
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Location

Artist Statment

...In the performance of my work, meaningful coincidence as a phenomenon of energy and my own archetypal symbolism is at work. All I can do is suit up, respond energetically, and continue the search for my own artistic voice.

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  • Studio Work
    • Acyrlic
    • Oil
    • Encaustic
    • Mixed Media
  • Public Art
  • About
  • Connect