First Place : United Creators First Annual Online Juried Arts Competition

Interview by Gil Sembrano

Ms. Murphy, a native of Ontario, creates intimate, sensitive and detailed portraiture and landscapes rendered photo-realistically in charcoal and graphite.

Describe your earliest beginnings as an artist.

Like any child, I colored on walls with crayons. In a family of six children, my scribbles  were unfortunately identifiable to my mother because of their accuracy and detail. She painted the wall…

What was a defining moment in your early development as an artist?

I showed my work as an amateur to a curator in a small town public gallery two years ago. Her support and encouragement gave me wings. She offered me my first exhibition and made my first professional sale. Thanks Maria!

Describe your driving force or motivation to create artwork.

The realization of a life’s dream as a child to create art and become an artist.

How do you grow and further challenge yourself as an artist?

I compete in shows, study and visit galleries. I also try to vary my subject matter as much as possible because every time I try to draw something new, I learn a new technique.   

What inspires you?

Everyone and everything – the real world. The closer you look, the more incredible the natural world is and the more amazing we are – especially when we get old.