Brenda Chrystie

Artist

Born to and raised among engineers in San Gabriel Valley, California, I defied generations of tradition by choosing art. However, science and tinkering are in my blood and inherent in my work. I've lived in the Seattle area for the past 20 years and call Maple Valley home.

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 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, or teaching art.
Public Art
September 2019
  • Paint By Tunnels, a mural project on the Cedar To Green Rivers Trail in Maple Valley, Washington. Project Lead and Artist
Exhibitions
2019
  • 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
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
1997-Present
  • 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​
Click here to see samples of Student Work.

  • 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 course work in figure drawing and painting taken at the Art Center College of Design
Affiliations
  • Member, Maple Valley Creative Arts Council (MVCAC)​ 
  • MVCAC Alternate, Public Arts Commission, City of Maple Valley​​
  • Member, Surfrider Foundation
Back to top

Published Work

Ennui
Oil on muslin. 36"w x 50"h. 1998.
Cover image. 
"Once the Shore." Paul Yoon. Cover illustration. Sarabande Books. 2009
Untitled
Oil and charcoal on paper. 12"w x 14"h. 2000.
Cover image. ​"The Time Machine And The Invisible Man." H.G. Wells. Barnes & Noble Classics, New York. 2005.
Untitled
Ink on paper. 6"w x 4"h. 2001.
Cover image. 
"British Sociology Seen From Without And Within." Edited By A.H. Halsey And W.G. Runciman. Cover illustration. British Academy Publications. 2005.
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.
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.
Back to top

Location

Artist Statment

"My work has always traveled the spectrum between abstraction and representation. Abstract Expressionism, Japanese prints, Postmodernism, and the California Colorists are some of the influences that have found their way into my heart."

Contact Me

    Subscribe Today!