Emotion Motivates Self-Taught Artist

Like many artists, Shannon Murphy began his artistic adventures at a young age. He used up countless crayons as a child practicing his art.

“We used to draw and color a lot. It's just something that I've always done without thinking about it a whole lot,” Murphy said.

As a self-taught artist Murphy replaced a formal art education with his own studying and research as well as practicing and experimenting with different techniques. He is primarily an oil painter but often uses mixed media. He sometimes employs nontraditional painting surfaces such as wood, jeans or skate decks.

“I try to be unique, whether I'm borrowing ideas or techniques or experimenting and learning about new applications."

A combination of expression, abstraction and interpretation make of the core of Murphy's style. Though "technical" isn't the word he would use to describe himself as an artist, his mantra is to be himself at all costs. His art shows that he actively applies his mantra, whether in his use of lines, colors or minimalism.

“I don't paint things, I paint ideas or emotions.”

Painting emotive or abstract works often involves throwing out all preconceived notions of what art should look like.

“I just kind of go with the moment," Murphy explained. "The way I really like to explain it is I guess before I'm gonna work on a piece I try to forget everything I know, everything I've learned about art and start from there.”

Murphy said art is a connection people make and wants to facilitate that connection through his work and personality.

“I think when you can put a person or personality with a body of work, there's depth there. I like to make personal connections with people,” he said.

Murphy's art can be found in numerous private collections as well as the Family Tradition tattoo parlor in Marietta.

Local art collectors can find Murphy's creations in Woodstock's own Roomscapes Gallery on Chamber Street. He said gladly offers commission work as well.