Sarah Phelps Biography

As a former wildlife biologist with a passion for health and fitness, Sarah Phelps translates her unique experiences into dynamic abstract paintings and sculptures, prefaced on a desire to manifest emotional and transformative work.

At an early age, Phelps was recognized for her talents in portraiture and realism; developing as an artist within specialized art programs throughout her youth. Yet, her innate curiosity concerning the environment and diverse species lead Phelps to receive an honours B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Waterloo. Through this, Phelps garnered opportunities in Mammalogy and Herpetology, conducting field research on mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, across Canada, and insects and marsupials in Australia.

Following a career spanning over a decade, Phelps’s creative desires reemerged with stronger intention, characterized by unencumbered emotion and a deep understanding of interconnectedness. Through this, Phelps would manifest her unique style with acrylic colours and gripping expression; where every piece contains the essence of her experiences alongside a vigorous exploration of the inner self.  

Sarah Phelps’s paintings and sculptures are created in a variety of sizes and colour techniques, with acrylic paint serving as her primary medium.  Phelps’s work is captured through four series, and each radiates intrinsic facets of her overall Abstract style. Momentum explores the fluidity of movement and is characterized by winding strokes representative of one’s ever-changing journey through life.  Ambient compels a sense of calm through soft pallets, schematic smudging, and compelling texture integration. Urban-edgy invigorates ones’ passions with thick, passionate and alluring vertical and horizontal techniques and bold colours. Lastly is Dream, which evokes unconscious rivalry between reality and fantasy through intentional pouring and unintentional drying methods.

Considered one of the purest forms of artistic expression, Abstract painting enables the artist an opportunity to connect with a sense of visual freedom, beyond confounds of objectivity. Although seemingly unrestrained in its form, Abstract art encompasses many movements coveted throughout history and serves as an intelligible medium in its own right.

In addition to highly regarded North American solo and group shows, Sarah Phelps has held European exhibits with the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France and several shows in Turin, Italy. Phelps’s paintings have been featured in the Globe & Mail, Toronto’s CityLine, Houzz, and the New York Art Competition. Some of Phelps’s enthusiastic collectors include local and internationally renowned celebrities, investors, and acclaimed business moguls. Her paintings have also been acquired by well known cocktail bar BarChef, and international hotels which include the Westin Houston Medical Centre and Marriott Hotel in California.

If you are interested in purchasing available work, or would like to book a studio appointment, please contact sarahphelpsartist@gmail.com

Sarah Phelps Art Gallery and Studio is located in Port Hope Ontario (just east of Toronto).

@inspiresarah