Art Show and Open House

A selection of Joseph's work will be featured as part of the annual Canastota Canal Town Museum Holiday Open House and Art Show in Canastota, New York. The opening reception is Sunday December 7, 2008 from 3:00-5:00pm at the Canastota Canal Town Education Center, located next door to the museum. This is open to the public. Other hours that are available to view the art are Thursday December 11 and 18, from 6:30 pm-8:00 pm, and Saturday December 13 and 20, from 10:30 am-12:00 noon.

Boogieman Bash Event Pictures

The following are pictures from the Boogieman Bash at Turning Stone Resort & Casino where banners of my artwork were used. The event is held yearly to judge the best Halloween costumes and carved pumpkins.

Syracuse University's Joseph I. Lubin House

These recent illustrations were completed for Syracuse University to showcase its Manhattan office building, the Joseph I. Lubin House.

The Boogieman Bash

You can currently see my work hanging at Turning Stone Casino and Resort in Verona, New York to promote their Boogieman Bash. The following characters are being made into banners to celebrate their Halloween festivities.

Pressin' On

I've always considered the buffalo to be one of the most majestic and beautiful creatures on earth. It's a humble animal that you can feel a connection with on a spiritual level. I've always viewed it as having a purpose to stand as an iconic figure of burden, perseverance, and life. Aside from historically being hunted and persecuted, I believe the buffalo is a shaman of sorts. At first glance, it is as grounded as rock and mountain. Upon running, though, its weight and movements represent small scratches that carve out this idea of unchained universal love. For a better visual aid, please refer to the buffalo music video version of "One" by U2, which was based on the photography of David Wojnarowics.

Summer 2008 Update

Hello everyone!

Well summer is upon us again and I thought that I'd keep everyone up to speed on what has been going on. I am currently working on small projects for various clubs and organizations in Canastota, New York, designing book covers and pamphlets. I will even be working as part of a team to create a poster project, similar to the idea of the one in Syracuse, that will concentrate on beautifying Madison County in Central New York.

For the ninth year, I am continuing to lifeguard and teach swimming lessons. I have to say that I am grateful to have such a supportive group of friends and staff every year that makes work fun and encourages the fostering knowledge. Also, I recently got a job working as a Production Graphic Designer at The Turning Stone Casino and Resort. Don't worry. I am still going to freelance art and design on the side and keep building my portfolio and clientele. 

There are also other projects in the works, which I will keep you posted on as they come about.

Thank you and have a great summer!

New Work

     

These two pieces are meant to represent the rich cultural heritage of my hometown, Canastota, which thrived years ago on the harvesting of onions and potatoes in central New York. We are still known for our export of these goods and continue to honor and remember the hard work of those who worked the muck lands in the early years. 

Miscellaneous

This portrait is of Middleweight and two-time Welterweight Champion of the World, Carmen Basilio. He is our local hero and native son of Canastota, New York.

The following is a conceptual idea for the cover of Third Eye Blind's long awaited fourth album, Ursa Major.

Change of Address

I've recently moved! In case anyone needs to contact me, my new mailing address is:

     Joseph M. Murphy

     407 West Lewis Street

     Canastota, NY 13032

Otherwise, my other contact info remains the same:

     (p): 315-447-5830

     (email): jmmurphyillustrator@yahoo.com

Between Thought and Expression

Well, the opening of The Art of Joseph M. Murphy was a success! The Lawson Community Room in the Canastota Library was jammed packed with a steady stream of eager on-lookers for the breadth of the evening.














Many people came out to show their support and admire the work of graphic illustrator Joseph Murphy, who is a native son of Canastota. For those in attendance, people were greated to fine works of art of local Syracuse area business institutions as well as surrealistic pieces of abstract art.


Fine refreshments were graciously served by library staff, who did a fantastic job of hosting the event. Special thanks are much deserved to Beth Totten and Liz Metzger (not pictured) for a job well done.

Look who stopped by! Roger DeMuth, Associate Professor of Illustration at Syracuse University, dropped in and shared some kind words with the artist, pictured here.

All in all, what matters most at the end of the day are the little things in life, like family and friends, and being able to share special occasions with them. Joseph was able to share the night with some special friends from college who made the trek out to see the opening of his first show.

For anyone who was unable to attend the opening, the show will run through the remainder of April at the Canastota Public Library. Admission is free and open to the public. Original artwork and signed prints are available for sale (see below). Contact either the library or artist for more details.

Thank you everyone for whom were in attendance!

The Art of Joseph M. Murphy- Opening Reception

Up and coming graphic illustrator, Joseph Murphy, will be the featured artist-in-residence for the month of April at the Canastota Public Library in Canastota, New York. The opening reception will be held Thursday April 3, 2008, from 7-8:30pm in the library's Lawson Community Room. Original artwork and prints will be available for purchase. Admission is free and open to the public. The show runs through the month of April.

The exhibit will highlight a selection of Central New York landmarks and business institutions as well as an array of icons from music and film. There will also be a featured area of Murphy's gallery work, concentrating on the use of abstraction and texture.

Born in Central New York, Joseph is a 2003 alumnus of Canastota High School where he graduated Valedictorian of his class. He went on to pursue his studies at Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2007 with a BFA in Illustration and minor in Fine Arts History.

Joseph's talents have landed him such awards from The Society of Illustrator's of New York and Los Angeles. He also earned the Syracuse University Honorable Mention Award for the Illustration Class of 2007 upon his commencement.

While at SU, Joseph had the opportunity to study under the tutelage of many award winning illustrators and artists. It is through their encouragement and gift for teaching that he attributes the foundation and development of his education, of which he is truly grateful.