Meet Richard G. Murphy of West Toluca Lake, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard G. Murphy

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in Larchmont, New York, I always enjoyed drawing and painting, but chose to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, rather than the art world. Now, following success as a writer/producer, I have returned to my first love; painting.

Inspired by photographers, such as Dorothea Lange, John Vachon, Frank Stallings, Mae Weems, and images capturing the Dust Bowl and Depression eras, I tackled a number of mixed media folk art pieces, incorporating acrylic paint and fabric on plywood, to create what I collectively call the “Heartland Series.”

My love of dogs inspired my pet portraits, and whimsical “Canine Series” of mixed media folk art pieces, portraying clothed pups posing in a variety of landscapes, including a few landmarks.

Currently, I am focused on my “Facescape Series” of acrylic paintings on canvas featuring portraits of friends and neighbors I have come to know and appreciate as I attempt to capture the depth of their character, especially through their eyes.

As a self-taught artist, what is most exciting is what I discover with each series, and with each new painting. Indeed, the freedom to experiment with different brushes while mixing/diluting paint colors often results in what I like to call “happy accidents” that create beauty while inspiring a technique that I can exercise in my next work of art. Consequently, when asked what I would consider to be my favorite painting, my reply is always “My next…!”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Upon graduating from High School, I wanted to pursue a career as an actor, and studied at Circle In The Square Theatre in Manhattan through New York University. However, the few professional acting gigs I landed convinced me that, perhaps, I would never enjoy success as an actor. However, my training as an actor was an invaluable experience that led me to writing and producing radio commercials, to game show development, to story editing and, eventually, developing and producing for TV and motion pictures, as well as talent management. Indeed, I feel fortunate that my career in entertainment allowed me to meet and collaborate with a number of gifted people (writers, designers, actors), not to mention the fact that my years collaborating with Jean-Claude Van Damme allowed me to travel to exciting and exotic places around the world. And while I continue to develop and write projects for TV and film, it was the start of the pandemic back in 2019, when people had to “shelter in place,” that I asked myself, “Now, what…?” The answer that came to me was to revisit my passion for art.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At this point in my life, following success as a writer/producer in the entertainment industry that, I hope, will continue, I would consider myself an artist. While I was, originally, known for my mixed-media folk art, I am currently focused on painting what I call “Facescapes;” portraits of friends and neighbors who have been kind enough to sit for me in my garage/studio. Indeed, I am most proud of these acrylic paintings on canvas, while I’ve been told that it is the depth and character that I attempt to capture in the eyes of my models that, I believe, sets me apart from other artists.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Now that I have built-up an inventory of artwork, I would love to connect with a gallery owner, who would be inspired to represent my work in a show. In the meantime, I have become a member of the Pasadena Society of Artists, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. At PSA’s monthly meetings and salons, I am able to connect with fellow artists, who are happy to celebrate and support each other while sharing their own experiences that can lead to exposure and, hopefully, art sales and/or commissions.

Pricing:

• All pricing is available upon request.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://richard-g-murphy.com
• Instagram: richard.g.murphy.art

 

Image Credits
The B&W photo of me should be credited to: Carey More
All the photos of the artwork were taken by me, the artist.