Illustrator’s art museum exhibit draws eyes toward nature

A local graduate is returning to share his nature mandalas and his experiences of creating art for a nationally known medical school.

Works by Richmond High School graduate Tim Phelps will be featured at Richmond Art Museum, which is inside his alma mater on Hub Etchison Parkway.

The two-gallery exhibit, open from June 7 through July 26, is called “Eyes on Nature: Works by Tim Phelps.”

A reception is planned from 1-3 p.m. on the opening day, and Phelps will speak at 1:30 p.m.

He has been a medical illustrator for more than 43 years. 

Phelps is a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he serves as the assistant director of the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine. He has received more than 40 regional and national awards for his artwork published in textbooks, magazines and professional journals.

Phelps’ illustrations related to medicine and science have appeared in more than 60 surgical textbooks and atlases, 300 book chapters and journals, and 20 magazines.

For the past 12 years, creating nature mandalas has been a personal quest. 

Throughout his life, fascination and joy have come from opportunities to interpret nature in pen and ink prints, animal doodles and cartoons. Now that joy especially comes from full-color representational nature mandalas.

“The essence and act of mandala creation has pulled me in and delivered just as advertised,” Phelps said in a news release. “Mandalas are engaging, thought provoking, meditative and joyful tools. Their swirling patterns and colors and rhythmic repeating nature feel fulfilling. Finally, it is the actual creation of individual art assets and placing them in repeating mandala arrangements that brings focus to my objective — a combination of fun and fine art! — defining and completing my ‘art circle.’” 

Phelps’ work will hang in RAM’s Paul and Pat Lingle Gallery and Patricia Quigg Lakoff Gallery. 

In addition, visitors can see a display of artwork created by Phelps’ high school teacher, the late Pauline Ronald.

Phelps considers this added opportunity a full-circle moment. Having his work displayed in his high school near works by his early mentor makes the experience even more special, he said.