“Through the language of color, my artwork draws attention to life’s moments. Whether a particular instance is captured and translated in a representational sense or only alluded to through non-representational abstraction, each piece is inspired. Contrasts between hues, values, and textures are purposefully placed, to provide opportunity for visual interaction. Through my art, viewers are presented with an opportunity to reflect on their own personal existence, moments, and memories.” ~Christy Phelps
Christy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, but her training in art began when she was a little girl with private drawing lessons and oil painting lessons throughout her childhood. She acquired an Associate of Art in Visual Arts from Oklahoma City Community College and completed her BFA at OU with a with a focus on Ceramics and Figure Sculpture. She views artistic ability, knowledge, and experience as subjects which continually evolve, grow, and strengthen, so she is always eager to explore and learn new techniques.
Christy began teaching small drawing, calligraphy, and cake decorating classes in the 1990’s, followed by years of teaching private fine art and painting lessons. Eventually, she started teaching oil painting lessons to students in sixth through twelfth grades, and she was an art teacher for grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at a local classical education school for three years, before starting her own art business, in Spring 2017.
Christy also creates oil paintings, ceramics, pottery, sculpture, and glass art, which she sells through the online store on this website, consignment at local shops, commissions, and through art galleries and shows. Christy also does commissioned work. Her most recent commission was a niche sculpture for the University of Oklahoma's permanent art collection, scheduled to be installed Summer 2023. For more information, you may visit the Shop option above or contact christyphelpsart@gmail.com.
GROUP SHOWS/EXHIBITS:
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2024, STASH May Artist of the Month, Norman, OK
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2024, ARTini, Allied Arts, Oklahoma City, OK
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2024, ONE: Area Fifty-One, MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, OK
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2024, Paseo Arts District, March Show, Oklahoma City, OK
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2023, Norman Twilight Market Art Show, The Well, Norman, OK
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2023, ARTini, Allied Arts, Oklahoma City, OK
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2023, ONE: Mashup, MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, OK
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2022, OU BFA Senior Capstone Exhibition, Lightwell Gallery, Norman, OK
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2022, ONE: RAVE, MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, OK
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2022, University of Oklahoma 108th Annual School of Visual Arts Student Exhibition, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of art, Norman, OK
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2021, OU BFA Pop-Up Exhibition 2021, Resonator, Norman, OK
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2021, OU BFA Studio I Exhibition, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
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2021, Clara Luper Exhibition, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City, OK
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2021, May Norman 2nd Friday Artwalk, Studio Ink, Norman, OK
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2021, ONE: Avant-Garde, MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, OK
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2021, Small Art Show, The Paseo Art Association, Oklahoma City, OK
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2021, University of Oklahoma 107th Annual School of Visual Arts Student Exhibition, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman, OK
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2020, ONEderland, MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, OK
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2020, University of Oklahoma 106th Annual School of Visual Arts Student Exhibition, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman, OK (curated by Holly Wilson)
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2019, Doommood, Resonator, Norman, OK
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2019, The Roaring Twenties, MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, OK
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2019, Foil Sculpture Juried Exhibition, Firehouse Art Center, Norman, OK (curated by Hans Butzer and Paul Moore)
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2019, University of Oklahoma 105th Annual School of Visual Arts Student Exhibition, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman, OK (curated by Gerald Clarke)
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2018, University of Oklahoma 104th Annual School of Visual Arts Student Exhibition, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman, OK (curated by Douglas Shaw Elder)
AWARDS:
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2023, Honorable Mention, Norman Twilight Market Art Show, The Well, Norman, OK
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2022, Norman Arts Council Award, University of Oklahoma 108th Annual School of Visual Arts Student Exhibition
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2021, John R. Potts Jr. Sculpture Award, University of Oklahoma 107th Annual School of Visual Arts Student Exhibition
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2019, Honorable Mention, Firehouse Art Center’s 2019 Foil Sculpture Juried Exhibition, Norman, OK
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2019, Ben Whitney Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Docent Award, University of Oklahoma 105th Annual School of Visual Arts Student Exhibition
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
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July 1, 2024, The Norman Transcript; “Expressions: Cleveland County Creates, 2024”; a featured artist, full-page article
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May 10, 2024, "2nd Friday Norman Art Walk" May Featured Artists Information, https://www.2ndfridaynorman.com/event-listing
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May 15, 2023, "Norman Artist Finds Beauty in the Eye of a Storm," Is This a Great State or What?!, KFOR Oklahoma's News 4; radar image paintings featured in video news segment and website article written and filmed by Galen Culver; Retrieved from https://kfor.com/news/great-state/radar-art-norman-artist-finds-beauty-in-the-eye-of-a-storm/
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2022 Issue, “Blood and Thunder: Musings on the Art of Medicine,” University of Oklahoma; “On My Mind” sculpture featured in publication.
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June 17, 2022, “Art reflecting OU history: Talented student commissioned to create sculpture”; Bigraphical article written by Doug Hill, Norman Transcript; Retrieved from https://www.normantranscript.com/news/art-reflecting-ou-history-talented-student-commissioned-to-create-sculpture/article_7e5054ae-eda7-11ec-8525-4bd2916eb410.html?fs=e&s=cl&fbclid=IwAR0BW7dRrYLiaRa4kHLjgydhkfElmz7n3OWergnosLaBnR85-84MEsxg63U
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2020-2022 Issue, “The Aster Review,” Volume V, p.12, 15, 74
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April 24, 2020, “Red Stiletto Featured Business”; Red Stiletto VIP Lounge social media group of almost 10K women; Gave a live video pottery wheel demonstration and tour of my art studio
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August 23, 2019, “Non-traditional OU student finds profound meaning in creative process”; Biographical article written by Doug Hill, Norman Transcript; Retrieved from https://www.normantranscript.com/news/entertainment/non-traditional-ou-art-student-finds-profound-meaning-in-creative/article_6d162655-6d7d-5aed-a4a5-67e43b74cd55.html? fbclid=IwAR0ONyO1mML7wjg0IxUgKkAbX1IImUBkv2_MDga1Date13mq0o5RAIxUTUY
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May 9, 2019, “Art based on South Africa’s Xhosa people wins top OU prize”; Joint exhibition article written by John Brandenburg, The Oklahoman; Retrieved from https://www.oklahoman.com/article/5630842/art-based-on-south-africas-xhosa-people-wins-top-ou-prize
CONSIGNMENTS AND SALES:
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2018-Present, STASH, Norman, OK, Various Pottery and Ceramic Sculptures
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2018-Present, Christy Phelps Art online store, ChristyPhelpsArt.com website
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2024, Paseo Gallery One, Oklahoma City, OK, Oil Paintings and Pressed Prints
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2021-2024, JRB Art at the Elms Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK, Bronze Sculpture
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2018-2022, Carpe Artem Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK, Glass Work
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2021-2022, Jetset FBO Airport, Oklahoma City, OK, Weather Radar Paintings
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2021, Norman Art Walk, Studio Ink, Norman, OK, Pottery, Prints, Paintings
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2020, Lion Salon and Spa, Norman, OK, Designer Masks
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2020, Firehouse Art Center, Norman, OK, Holiday Gift Gallery, Glass Work
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2020, Renewelry.com website, Prints of Paintings
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2020, The Third Space, Norman, OK, Various Pottery
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2019, Coldwater Creek Classen Curve, Oklahoma City, OK, Various Pottery
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2019, Coldwater Creek Classen Curve, Oklahoma City, OK, Various Pottery
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2019, Lion Salon and Spa, Norman, OK, Pin-Up Pottery
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2018, Teaze Dance and Fitness, Oklahoma City, OK, Pin-Up Pottery
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2018, IAO Gallery Pin-Up Bazaar, Oklahoma City, OK, Pin-Up Pottery
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2017-2018, Antique Garden, Norman, OK, Various Pottery
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2014-2015, Be Wild For Art, Norman, OK, Various Glazed Ceramics
ARTWORK INCLUDED IN FUNDRAISERS:
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2024, Allied Arts OKC; April
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2024, Norman Arts Council; March
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2023, Allied Arts OKC; April
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2023, Norman Arts Council; March
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2022, STASH Shannon Hanchett family fundraiser; December
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2022, Norman Arts Council; March
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2021, Women’s Resource Center; October
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2021, Norman Arts Council; April
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2020, Norman Arts Council; July
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2019, Women’s Resource Center; November, April
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2019, OU Red Clay Faction; October, February
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2019, Norman Arts Council; March
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2018, Women’s Resource Center; November, September
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2018, OU Red Clay Faction; October
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2018, Camp Kesem, OU Chapter; August, April
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2018, Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries; April
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2017, Women’s Resource Center; October