Hi! 🍒
My name’s Thu Mỹ Phan. Thu Mỹ is the traditional way to spell it in Vietnamese, I often go by Thumỹ or Thumy. You can refer to me with any of the 3 name spellings, I’m happy with them all!
I’m a Vietnam born illustrator, artist, muralist and designer currently based in Oklahoma City. I strive to tell stories with my work, with a big focus on BIPOC stories. My personal work is heavily influenced by my family’s history and my own childhood memories and experiences of growing up in the US as a Vietnamese, immigrant, permanent resident raised in OKC. I draw inspiration from the phrase "We are the fruits of our mother's labor," both in reference to my mother and my mother land, Vietnam and often use imagery of fruits and flora taking root in my personal work to highlight those words. Through my art, I hope to challenge the passive stereotype thrown upon AANHPI women and reshape how society sees us. To make sure these narratives are heard, I utilize bold colors with a sprinkle of magical swirls.
As a child, I didn't see a future for myself as a successful artist in OKC. Now, I’m excited to be a part of the group of growing artists sharing what it looks like to be loudly and proudly AANHPI. I’m looking forward to challenging old beliefs and helping to shape new narratives in Oklahoma’s art community.
My free time is spent (ideally!) experiencing immersive art installations, watching Studio Ghibli movies and capturing moments on Instax. Coffee shops and plant gardens are my third places. 🌿
Contact
I am currently open to opportunities. You can reach me at thusisterstudio@gmail.com or fill out the form below!
Clients
405 Magazine / Atlas Obscura / Block Club Chicago / Cameo / City Bureau / Code Switch from NPR / Compound Butter / Condé Nast Traveler / Curbside Chronicle / dscout / DC Beings / Downtown OKC / Equity Brewing Company / ESSENCE / Female Founders Fund / GPX Intelligence / Gravy Quarterly / Harvard Business Review / Hopelab / Imagine Learning / Knowable Magazine / Liquor.com / People Nerds by dscout / Policygenius / Rebel Girls / Rice Magazine / Science Magazine / Shado / Sisters From AARP / South Side Weekly / STAT / Symmetry Magazine / The 19th News / The Girlfriend From AARP / The On Being Project / The Paseo Arts Association / The Washington Post / U.S. Fusion Outreach / Welcome to Chinatown / YES! Magazine
Experience
Freelance Illustrator, Artist & Designer, Self-Employed | May 2012 ~ Present
Freelance Illustrator & Designer at Imagine Learning | Jun 2023 ~ Present
Freelance Illustrator & Designer at dscout | Jul 2019 ~ Present
Senior Graphic Designer at Beanstalk Digital | Jul 2019 ~ Feb 2020
Visual Communication Designer at dscout | Mar 2016 ~ Mar 2019
UX (UI) Designer at Aisle Rocket Studios | Apr 2015 ~ Mar 2016
Junior Art Director at Aisle Rocket Studios | Nov 2014 ~ Apr 2015
Graphic Design Intern at Chicago Children’s Theatre | Aug 2013 ~ Jan 2014
Creative Director & Illustrator at Manifest Urban Arts Festival | Dec 2012 ~ May 2013
Graphic Designer & Department Assistant at Multicultural Affairs Office at Columbia College Chicago | Jan 2012 ~ May 2013
Graphic Designer & Scholar at One Tribe Organization at Columbia College Chicago | Sep 2011 ~ May 2013
Graphic Designer & Art Director at CHITEA Magazine | Sep 2009 ~ May 2013
Tutor & Teaching Artist Assistant at Crown Academy & Sabin Magnet Elementary | Jan 2010 ~ May 2012
Projects & Exhibitions
2024: Sunny Dayz Mural Festival 2024 Artist – Ponca City, OK
2023: The Tulsa Map 2024 Artist – TUL, OK
2023: Fall 2023 Symposium Show, organized by Southern Foodways Alliance – Oxford, MS
2023: Plaza Walls Mural Expo 2023 Exhibition at Plaza Walls Gallery – OKC, OK
2023: Plaza Walls Mural Expo 2023 Artist – OKC, OK
2023: 12×12 Art Fundraiser, organized by OVAC – OKC, OK
2023: The Chinese Lady Art Gallery at Plenty Mercantile, organized by Southern Plains Productions – OKC, OK
2023: The Hydroponic Garden in Itinerant Immersive’s Abandoned Spaceship Traveling Installation – Enid, OK
2022: 2023 Câylendar for Đùm Bọc – NYC, NY
2022: 88 East Fair Artist Alley, organized by Welcome to Chinatown – NYC, NY
2022: Sunny Dayz Mural Festival 2022 x Edmond Vibes Mural Paint Off – Edmond, OK
2022: Paseo Arts Festival 2022 45th Poster Design & Featured Artist – OKC, OK
2021: Junction Coffee’s People's Blend Competition Finalist – OKC, OK
2021: Sunny Dayz Mural Festival 2021 Artist – OKC, OK
2020: Wrap Up Homelessness 2020 Wrapping Paper for Curbside Chronicle – OKC, OK
2020: Pandemic Prints & Pages WPA Poster for Downtown OKC Initiatives – OKC, OK
2017: “Find Your Way” at Workshop 4200, organized by Matthew Hoffman – CHI, IL
2017: “Too-POC” at Comfort Station – CHI, IL
2013: Manifest Urban Arts Festival 2013 Campaign at Columbia College Chicago – CHI, IL
2013: BFA Fine Art Exhibition at Columbia College Chicago – CHI, IL
2013: “Eonian, Activism is Everlasting” at Columbia College Chicago – CHI, IL
2012, 2013: One Tribe One Vote Campaign at Columbia College Chicago – CHI, IL
2012: 20th Annual Hokin Honors at Columbia College Chicago – CHI, IL
2011: “And Thus I Became A Wild Man” – CHI, IL
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013: A2 Art Showcase at Columbia College Chicago – CHI, IL
2009, 2010, 2011: BLEND Showcase at Boba Bar Café – CHI, IL
2009: Teen Advisory Variety Show at Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts – OKC, OK
Awards & Recognition
2024: OKC Thunder Lunar New Year Celebration Featured Artist
2022: Paseo Arts Festival Featured Artist
2022: Atlas Obscura 2021 Year in Illustration
2020: Ballpitmag
My full CV can be found here!