FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
James (Jim) Murphy American, B. 1943 By Sean Murphy My father Jim was born in Kansas in 1943. His family lineage is of Irish and English decent. The oldest of six siblings, Jim grew up in what could be described as a typical Catholic, middle class family, in Kansas City, Missouri. His mother was a school teacher and full time homemaker. His father served in the Pacific theater during the second world war and later in life, managed restaurants and hotels. Jim's youth was fairly typical for a Midwestern boy of the time. He went to Catholic schools, attended church with the family, played sports with his friends, and had a love for comic books. He liked to draw and was fond of Norman Rockwell illustrations.
In his early teens, Jim had thoughts of becoming a priest and entered a seminary in Kansas City where he studied for 5 years. However, he continued to draw and paint, his love of art never fading. Eventually, Jim found himself at a crossroads: a religious life or life in the art world. 1960s In 1962 Jim would choose, apply, and be accepted to the Kansas City Art Institute, one of the nation's finest art schools. In college Jim thrived. His influences included notable painters, faculty, and Art Institute alumni Robert Rauschenberg, Thomas Hart Benton, and sculptor Dale Eldred. He would also tell me years later, other art heroes were Andrew Wyeth, Chuck Close, and Annie Leibovitz.
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
While still in college, Jim married my mother Carol an accomplished artist in her own right who was attending the Art Institute on scholarship. They had two children, myself and Hugh my brother. After graduating from the Art Institute, Jim worked as a graphic designer for notable companies in Chicago and Des Moines including Meredith Publishing, producers of Better Homes and Gardens Magazine among others. He also created graphic design, illustrations and art direction for Fortune 500!" companies. 1970s The 70s were a busy time for my father. He continued to hone his fine art; always painting, always drawing. His subject matter at the time included architecture, nature, current events, social issues, and even the space race. In 1973 Jim and Carol founded a successful design and typesetting studio in Des Moines, Iowa. Around the same time, electronic type was introduced and this development influenced Jim s fine art also. He would experiment with the use of mixed media and collage, however, always paying attention and focusing on refining his drawing techniques. He also managed to find time to open a co-op gallery.
Andrew Wyeth, Chuck Close, and Annie Leibovitz are three of Jim's art heros. 1980s In the 80's the space race and other political narratives and such disappeared from Jim's work. The use of sharp lines and vivid, contrasting colors would be utilized to help add dramatic effect and showcase architectural elements and light in his work. Jim's subject matter began to focus solely on architecture and nature. Commercially, paintings of this timeframe were well received by galleries and Jim's works sold well. 1990s In 1994 Jim took a trip to visit his youngest son Hugh and newborn grandchild, Huxley. Arriving in Port Townsend, Washington, Jim was immediately struck by the natural beauty of the area and within a year, he would find himself relocating to the area, although, readily admitting his move being as much about being close to his grandson as it was for the scenery. Jim settled into Port Townsend and soon set up his studio. The temperate weather being more favorable than that of the frigid Midwest winters helped energize my father and he would find himself painting outdoors as often as he did in studio. During this time Jim's subject matter, informed by nature, was specifically, water, trees, clouds, and dramatic skies.
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
TODAY Jim still lives in Port Townsend. He has continued to paint scenes of the area, focusing on nature for the past 20+ years. Importantly he's also avoided typical cliches and subject matter such as boats and lighthouses in his work. These decisions have proven invaluable, making his works far more universal. Even more recently, Jim has been finding new inspiration and challenges by collaborating with two poets and one other painter. The group discusses collaborative ideas and concepts. The poets write and the painters then interpret the poems into their respective works of art. The group is scheduled to give lectures in Seattle at several Universities and have gallery shows upcoming. As more information and images become available please check back on this website or submit to our contact form for updates.
"Without access to art supplies, let alone even pencil or paper, my earliest memories in life are simply drawing with a stick." James Murphy, Artist CONCLUSION Like all great artists and their work, Jim s paintings are specific to time and place and would not be as powerful if not for the beauty and inspiration he gathers from the Pacific Northwest. However, that said, these same clouds could be seen back in Kansas, Iowa or just about anywhere. The real power of Jim's work comes from his mastery of color, composition, and an ongoing pursuit of perfecting the use of pencil and brush.
In addition to painting Jim is an avid reader of mythology, Jungian authors, and history. He is also an animal lover and throughout his life there have always been animals in and around the home and studio. These days Jim can often be found painting with his parrot, Chanda, on his shoulder who likes to give critiques. Jim's works have been purchased by individuals and businesses as well as being included in numerous publications and juried shows. For more information, a studio tour or to purchase artwork please contact the studio.
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
Sabbath Confirmation Acyrlic on panel, 24 x 24 inches
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
Untitled Acyrlic on paper, 12 x 9 inches
Torso, Reclining Acyrlic on paper, 12 x 9 inches
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
Cemetery, Remembrance Acyrlic on paper, 16 x 12 inches
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
Words Coming Clear Acyrlic on panel, 48 x 24 inches
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
Sabbath of Memory Acyrlic on paper, 78 x 36 inches
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
White Allums Acyrlic on paper, 36 x 22 inches
Weeds, Flowers Acyrlic on canvas, 16 x 9 inches
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
Internal Dialog Acyrlic on panel, 12 x 9 inches
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
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FROM THE STUDIOS OF ARTIST JAMES MURPHY
Produced by the Studio of Artists James Murphy www.artistsjamesmurphy.com