The artist grew up in southern Minnesota and remembers always wanting to be a painter. His grandfather, who was fluent with a pencil, served as his earliest inspiration. After graduating from Minnesota State with his BFA in Studio Art, he spent time on the East Coast, then finally settled within a community of Northern Michigan artists.

Murphy has also spent time as a woodworker, designing furniture and making cabinets to supplement his income. After achieving professional recognition through art fairs, corporate collections and galleries, he was able to put it aside and focus exclusively on painting.

He currently teaches classes and workshops at regional art centers and these experiences are reflected in his work. “Teaching has allowed me to travel for my own painting as well as to instruct other artists in a variety of environments,” he says. These pursuits have taken him around the U.S. to France, Spain, Italy, Nova Scotia, and the Caribbean.

A trip to Italy inspired the painting, “Lombardia.“ Again he adds dimension to the work with fabric and in this case, Italian pioppo panel for roofing on the buildings. “I compiled a few photos from my stay and created the village scene on a hill. When you approach the painting from the right angle, you really feel as if you’re there... part of the painting.”

Murphy’s paintings are in the corporate collections of Kraft, General Motors, Prudential, Mead Corporation, International Harvestor, U.S. Gypsum and John Hancock. He has illustrated two books, “Reach for the Moon,” published by Scholastic and “Smokey the Raccoon,” published by P.J. Publishing. In 2002, he was selected from a field of 13,000 to be included in a limited edition calendar published by Artist’s Magazine, and in 2003 he was named the “Art Educator of the Year” by the Traverse Area Arts Council. The artist also exhibits as a member of the International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA).

Murphy may be contacted at True North Studio, 518 West 8th St., Traverse City, MI 49684.