Golden Retriever MagnetFirst off, tell us a little about you!
My name is Misti Murphy of The MURPHY Studio, and I live in Tucson, Arizona. When I was 10 years old, I was on a road trip with my parents and drew a portrait of Fred Flintstone on some scrap paper. When I showed my mom what I had drawn, she tried to explain to me that the image from my coloring books, and that was sketched from looking at an object and reproducing it, from memory, or from imagination. I then told her that my coloring books were in the trunk of the car, and she immediately turned around and looked in the back seat of the car to see what I had done. Two days later she enrolled me in private art lessons, and my skills have grown from there.
I participated in numerous arts and crafts fairs through high school, painting on everything from sandstone to wood to leather. My father always encouraged me to explore different mediums and different, if you will. He would bring items home for me to paint on, starting with a very large rock that he could barely lift and evolving to cow skulls and leather hides. He then promoted me as a commercial window painter, often driving me to businesses during the holiday seasons to paint windows since I was a minor.
In college I shifted my attention to architecture, trying to merge my creative abilities with my technical, mathematic abilities. I now have a Bachelors of Architecture degree from the University of Arizona. In 2003, I started my own business designing custom homes (www.TheMURPHYStudio.com). Though I love architecture and could not imagine doing anything else for a living, my artwork has always been my true love. It has never been far from my heart, and I have now decided to explore the opportunity of starting an art studio in conjunction with my architecture studio.
What prompted you to open your shop?
My sister, Jodi Bombardier of Jewels-By-Jewels, actually prompted me to open my shop. She makes jewelry and knew that I painted many years ago. She inspired to me explore my hobby again after many, many years and to try to sell on-line through ArtFire.
What makes your shop unique?
Well, what comes to mind first is … I don’t make jewelry!!! Just kidding! I tried to come up with an idea to make “fine art” affordable for everyone. My solution was to hand-paint or sketch magnets that were reasonably priced but still remained a work of art. Don’t get me wrong, I have more expensive items for sale, but magnets are really my focus. Everything is handmade by me, including the sketches, the paintings, the leather wall hangings, and the silhouettes of the wood cut outs (although I have a craftsman actually cut them out due to the lack of strength in my hands). I paint what inspires me and every piece is original.
What influences your art?
My love of animals and the southwest. Animals have always been a huge part of my life. From growing up with animals, to currently having four dogs of my own, animals have a unique place in my heart. I love to see their expressions come to life in my paintings, and consequently, how my paintings make animal lovers feel when they see them.
What is your favorite item in your shop?
My giraffe magnet! I’ve started a new “Safari Collection” based off of him! My husband and I were married at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona between the Giraffes and the Lions. It was a memorable moment that I draw on for inspiration. Throughout the day, the giraffes were trying to reach over their enclosure to nibble on my bouquet of flowers!
Giraffe Magnet- Framed
Twitter is being pushed as the next big marketing tool. Do you like, do you use it, and has it helped your shop?
I have never used Twitter, although I really need to start! It’s on my list of things to learn about. I have never really marketed my art on-line, although my sister has “twittered” a few of my items and the views for those items have really taken off. It makes a huge difference.
Tell us something about you that we wouldn't guess from your shop.
I love to play in No-Limit Hold’Em Poker Tournaments! The game is fascinating to me – much like chess. You have to analyze your opponents, learn to “read” them to decide whether or not they are bluffing or telling the truth, and manage your chips accordingly so you make it to the final table! My ultimate goal is to play in the World Series of Poker before I die –but with a $10,000 entry fee, I’m not sure that is a realistic goal! I guess I can dream…
Are you a Mac or a PC?
PC
Finally, what one thing have you learned since opening your shop that you'd like to share with others?
It’s all about networking and marketing – which I’m not very good at yet but I’m getting better. My advice would be to try to get your name out there, be supportive of other artists, and don’t be shy about the art/product you create. Be proud of what you make and share your site with everyone you know!
My name is Misti Murphy of The MURPHY Studio, and I live in Tucson, Arizona. When I was 10 years old, I was on a road trip with my parents and drew a portrait of Fred Flintstone on some scrap paper. When I showed my mom what I had drawn, she tried to explain to me that the image from my coloring books, and that was sketched from looking at an object and reproducing it, from memory, or from imagination. I then told her that my coloring books were in the trunk of the car, and she immediately turned around and looked in the back seat of the car to see what I had done. Two days later she enrolled me in private art lessons, and my skills have grown from there.
I participated in numerous arts and crafts fairs through high school, painting on everything from sandstone to wood to leather. My father always encouraged me to explore different mediums and different, if you will. He would bring items home for me to paint on, starting with a very large rock that he could barely lift and evolving to cow skulls and leather hides. He then promoted me as a commercial window painter, often driving me to businesses during the holiday seasons to paint windows since I was a minor.
In college I shifted my attention to architecture, trying to merge my creative abilities with my technical, mathematic abilities. I now have a Bachelors of Architecture degree from the University of Arizona. In 2003, I started my own business designing custom homes (www.TheMURPHYStudio.com). Though I love architecture and could not imagine doing anything else for a living, my artwork has always been my true love. It has never been far from my heart, and I have now decided to explore the opportunity of starting an art studio in conjunction with my architecture studio.
What prompted you to open your shop?
My sister, Jodi Bombardier of Jewels-By-Jewels, actually prompted me to open my shop. She makes jewelry and knew that I painted many years ago. She inspired to me explore my hobby again after many, many years and to try to sell on-line through ArtFire.
What makes your shop unique?
Well, what comes to mind first is … I don’t make jewelry!!! Just kidding! I tried to come up with an idea to make “fine art” affordable for everyone. My solution was to hand-paint or sketch magnets that were reasonably priced but still remained a work of art. Don’t get me wrong, I have more expensive items for sale, but magnets are really my focus. Everything is handmade by me, including the sketches, the paintings, the leather wall hangings, and the silhouettes of the wood cut outs (although I have a craftsman actually cut them out due to the lack of strength in my hands). I paint what inspires me and every piece is original.
What influences your art?
My love of animals and the southwest. Animals have always been a huge part of my life. From growing up with animals, to currently having four dogs of my own, animals have a unique place in my heart. I love to see their expressions come to life in my paintings, and consequently, how my paintings make animal lovers feel when they see them.
What is your favorite item in your shop?
My giraffe magnet! I’ve started a new “Safari Collection” based off of him! My husband and I were married at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona between the Giraffes and the Lions. It was a memorable moment that I draw on for inspiration. Throughout the day, the giraffes were trying to reach over their enclosure to nibble on my bouquet of flowers!
Giraffe Magnet- FramedTwitter is being pushed as the next big marketing tool. Do you like, do you use it, and has it helped your shop?
I have never used Twitter, although I really need to start! It’s on my list of things to learn about. I have never really marketed my art on-line, although my sister has “twittered” a few of my items and the views for those items have really taken off. It makes a huge difference.
Tell us something about you that we wouldn't guess from your shop.
I love to play in No-Limit Hold’Em Poker Tournaments! The game is fascinating to me – much like chess. You have to analyze your opponents, learn to “read” them to decide whether or not they are bluffing or telling the truth, and manage your chips accordingly so you make it to the final table! My ultimate goal is to play in the World Series of Poker before I die –but with a $10,000 entry fee, I’m not sure that is a realistic goal! I guess I can dream…
Are you a Mac or a PC?
PC
Finally, what one thing have you learned since opening your shop that you'd like to share with others?
It’s all about networking and marketing – which I’m not very good at yet but I’m getting better. My advice would be to try to get your name out there, be supportive of other artists, and don’t be shy about the art/product you create. Be proud of what you make and share your site with everyone you know!
Quail Magnet, Medium- Full BodyI love this quail magnet! We have quail running through our yard all the time, and they are the cutest little birds. The MURPHY Studio is a great shop, go and check it out! Thanks for being on the blog, Misti.
2 comments:
Thank you so much Kate for posting this! I really appreciate it! Misti
Very proud of you, Little Sister! Great article and as always, great paintings.
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