Art Classes

Hello everyone,


Currently, I am teaching art classes as part of the Madison-Oneida BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education in Verona, New York. I am instructing one class as of right now, "Sketching and Drawing", and may be teaching others in the near future as interest builds. So, if you are in the area or know of someone, please have them take a look at their website (http://www.moboces.org/) or call 315-361-5500 for more information. Classes will restart in Fall 2012. 


Hope to see you there!


Joe

The New School- artist lecture

On January 10th and 11th, 2012, I was invited to The New School in Syracuse, NY to give an artist presentation to children in grades K-8. I spoke about my work as an illustrator, creating architectural images for colleges and businesses, as well as pursuing a career as a children's book illustrator.

After a delightful question and answer period, I demonstrated the wet and dry watercolor painting techniques to one group of young artists. To practice what they had learned, students were asked to paint a very special railroad lantern that I brought in especially for the occasion. I explained that, as an artist, we paint the shadows and highlights of an object, which can be many different kinds of shapes. So, if we look at these shapes and their color, it becomes easier to paint something that might appear very difficult. By using a red light source inside the lantern, students were able to see these shapes and color changes very easily and were able to create their own works of art of the lantern. The delight on the children's faces in accomplishing this difficult task was very rewarding to all. By introducing this masterly technique early on in their artistic development, the students have successfully begun a new way of seeing the world around them.

On my second day at the school I worked with the remaining group of children, grades K-3, demonstrating the same wet and dry watercolor painting techniques, but using a bowl of fruit as a still life. Students were first asked to block in the shapes of the different fruits with one color and then add small lines, or dots, of another color to create areas of shadows between the fruits. Once again, the students were very enthusiastic and were able to paint remarkable still lifes.

Thank you to The New School Staff for extending the invitation to come and be a part of this special workshop. I hope to see the work of these fabulous artists flourish in the years to come!

For more information about The New School, please visit their website.

http://www.newschool-syr.org/index.shtml

Artist Lecture

On Thursday July 21, 2011, Joseph Murphy gave an art presentation to the children of the Thornden Park Association's Discovery Summer Camp in Syracuse, New York. Roughly twenty children between the ages of 5-9 years old withstood the blistering hot temperatures to escape into the park's beautiful Rose Garden. While Mr. Murphy gave an overview of his illustration career, he shared a few of his original pieces of artwork with the enthusiastic young artists. Then, to everyone's delight, he performed a demonstration on how to paint with watercolors, using the "wet" and "dry brush" techniques. When it came time for the children to practice these techniques on their own, painting scenes from within the Rose Garden, it was clear that their love of art was shining brighter than the red summer sun that day. Very special thanks go out to Miranda Hine and Rebecca Dwyer for extending an invitation to Mr. Murphy to come and speak. A great time was had by all!

Dennis Hopper

Mark English

Well, better late than never. These following photos were taken back in October of 2010 when Joseph Murphy attended an artist demo and lecture given by the great Mark English. Mark is a world renowned artist and illustrator known for his groundbreaking montage work as well as his intimate and profound landscape series. Among many traditional artists and illustrators, Mark is regarded as one of the great godfathers of contemporary painting.

This lecture was given at Syracuse University as part of a visiting artist series. In being an admirer, Mark has been a great influence on Mr. Murphy's own work, so it is no surprise that he jumped at the opportunity to meet this living legend and learn from his craft. It is not often, nowadays, that Mark English will travel the college circuit and give these workshops, so it is definitely something to take advantage of when it does happen. In fact, Joseph found himself humbled standing in the presence of other great illustrators, like Mark Summers, who flew in from across the country that day just to see this one particular event. It truly was an awe inspiring day.

Visiting Artist Lecture

On February 3, 2011, Joseph Murphy spoke to the Canastota Jr.-Sr. High School Art Club in Canastota, New York, about his ventures in illustration, painting, and business of freelance art. Many thanks go out to Kristie Boisen and Denise Whalen, Canastota High School's art teachers and Art Club organizers, for extending the invitation to come and speak to the students. All of those in attendance were very receptive and asked many great questions. Mr. Murphy could not get over their warm and enthusiastic welcome! Afterwards, Joseph even took a look at students' work and was amazed at the level of skill and artistry exhibited by many of these young talents. Keep up the good work!

Rudeboy