Rising Stars: Meet Michael Murphy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Murphy.

Hi Michael, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I don’t know how this all happened as I went to architecture school with the hopes of practicing the same someday, which in fact I did, both here and in London. Moving back to California in 2008 was, work-wise, a disaster and the Great Recession kicked into high gear. I had some small art exhibitions some architectural print work in London when I was there, so picked up that again as I literally had nothing better to do. The work started getting noticed and before I knew it, I was getting published and showing the work in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Francisco. This by most measures was much more fulfilling than practicing architecture, and I continue to produce new work and show in new venues.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Actually yes, it has been fairly smooth. My biggest challenge was learning how to paint what I wanted to see, and this went through many iterations and “styles,” but I’m happy to be producing the work that I now create.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The work is all inspired by architectural subject matter. Some of the images are well-known, and others less so. Also, I’ve designed my own “paper architecture”- buildings not physically realized but only imagined and sometimes without context.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking is not my strong suit, but I would say that submitting to local group shows is a great way to start meeting new gallerists and artists.

Pricing:

• $165 for 16″x20″ giclee prints
• Paintings range in price from $600 to $3500.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.supersonicmodern.com
• Instagram: @supersonicmod