Biography

JOHN F. MURPHY has been painting since childhood in North Adams, MA. His newest collection of paintings reflects his extensive travel to Europe, winters in Costa Rica, and love of his home, Cape Cod.

John attended the Butera School of Art in Boston where he connected with master painter Robert Douglas Hunter. Bob helped to shape a lot of John's vision and direction in painting. The two often painted and showed together.

It was after opening the Land Ho! in 1969 and putting his painting aside for years, John connected with Hunter student and world-recognized master Neil Drevitson in 1984. Neil and John began painting together during Neil's frequent trips to the Cape. Neil helped to revitalize and critique John's work and was instrumental in his development and renewed passion for painting.

John has been fortunate to have a supportive family and talented peers enabling him to intensely focus on painting these days. His studio has seen quite a lot of activity over the past few years as John has shown at the VRG Gallery in Paris and at Addison Art Gallery on Cape Cod. He has twice been chosen to paint the honorary Town of Orleans Pops in the Park Festival painting and received numerous accolades throughout Cape Cod and in Boston.

His original works can be seen at the Addison Art Gallery, 43 Route 28, Orleans and his extensive selection of limited edition prints can be viewed and purchased at JFM Art Gallery adjacent to the Land Ho! at 38 Main Street, Orleans.

Education

Private instruction and workshops with Robert Douglas Hunter, Don Stone, Neil Drevitson, Charles Sovek, and Foster Nystrom. Recent workshops with Tom Dunlay have resulted in classic oils capturing scent from Nantucket, Main and western Massachusetts. John successfully completed courses at Butera School of Art and Boston University.

Exhibitions

John began showing professionally in 1986 and had sold-out shows for three consecutive years. Sales have always been strong including two sell-out shows: a 2004 show at ERG Gallery on Rue Jacob, Left Bank, Paris followed by a 2005 show at Addison Art Gallery.

Notations and Collections

While serving in the United States Navy, John designed a plaque presented to President John F. Kennedy at his inauguration on the behalf of the U.S.S. Warrington. John F. Murphy paintings have been chosen for the cover of Orleans Town Guides, Pops in the Park signature posters, as well as being hot items at the annual Cape Cod Museum of Art auctions. His work can be found in the permanent collection of the Cape Cod Museum of Art and many prestigious private collections throughout the Americans and Europe. His work has been positively reviewed in the Boston Globe, Cape Cod Life, Cape Cod Times, Cape Codder, A-Plus and Cape Cod View.

Artist’s Statement

I draw my inspiration from the history of my community and its serene natural surroundings. I enjoy painting centuries-old landmarks and landscapes as they now appear in order to reflect on the past. I enjoy the simple beauty and humility one can find around themselves, from a timeless, well-constructed house to a valley of radiant trees in autumn.

I begin my paintings by slowly building up colors, starting from broad patches of color which are refined over time until the smallest details become visible. I pay close attention to the temperature of my paint and work to build an appealing luminosity that adds life to the scene.

My paintings depict timeless scenes that broadly resonate, from the sophisticated collector to those who are just becoming acquainted with collecting art. Others would consider my other sold-out shows, especially my show in Paris, to be my most impressive accomplishments. However, I am most proud of the opportunities I have to give back to my community, which has been my home for over forty years.