Saturday, November 28, 2009

Free Shipping on all Etsy purchases!


Hey there boys and girls...For the Holidays I'm joining lots of Etsy artists in offering free regular shipping until the Holidays. When searching on Etsy plug in etsyfreeshipping and check out all the wonderful artists and craftsmen who are giving you this opportunity during gift giving season!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Art as Gift Show in Willow Glen





I'm busy working on lots of small pieces for the annual "Art as Gift" show put on by my good friend Julie Stover every holiday season. This year it will be in the old Casa Casa space, 1355 Lincoln Ave, in downtown Willow Glen. In addition to paintings I'll have some quirky ornaments and if I can pull it off a couple of art dolls. Come by and see me...the show runs 3 days Dec 4/5/6 and there's a reception Friday, December 4th at 6-8pm.

I also have lots of new work up at Psycho Donuts! Go get yourself a Thanksgiving donut and check it out!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Featured Sketch Artist at $2. Tuesday



Kaleid Gallery is a cool community gallery in downtown San Jose that I've been involved with for about a year. Every third Tuesday they present "2 Buck Tuesday", a chance to get some little but great original art for only $2 bucks. In addition there are funky lectures, and live sketching and painting and live music. I'll have some little drawings and Gocco prints for sale, and we'll see what I come up with during the live sketch session. If you're in or around Kaleid on Tuesday, November, 17, come by!

Two Buck Tuesday- A quirky, eclectic evening bringing out the Bay Area’s Best!

Event date: Tuesday, November 17th, 6pm

Trina Merry and the TBT Crew have a fantastic lineup:
Special speaker series includes: Dan Vado (Slave Labor Graphics/Alternative Press Expo), Ema Harris Sintamarian (SJSU Prof who has shown at Jack Fischer Gallery), & Matt Clevenger (Apples & Bandaids).

Special artist talk with featured KALEID Artists Lacey Bryant and Jen Rezel and a Q&A with Brian & Cherri (ask them anything… about art & culture!).

Special guest performance art by: Manny Silva (Fillmore, Belle & Sebastian, Sufjan Stevens & Old Navy), Giovanna Hutchinson (Opera San Jose), Adam Klein (Ironman athlete, Re-Imagine), Christine Benjamin (Illustrator Extraordinaire), & music by Benjamin Henderson (Good Hustle).

Meet, greet & grab great art by our featured sketch artists: Nicolas Caesar (founder of the Scary Art Collective), PJ Gaviglio (Creator of “Stegosaur” music video for band “Good Hustle”), Murphy Adams (folk/outsider illustrator & public works artist), Blaise Rosenthal (American Painter), Steven Borelli (Design & animation artist), Mark Damrel (Architect by day, urban illustrator by night).



KALEID Gallery
88 South Fourth Street
Downtown San Jose
http://www.KALEIDgallery.com
408-947-1785

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Upcoming!




This piece called "Mommy's a Wino," was done for the Willow Glen Foundation's wine tasting and auction. I figured since its a benefit for a foundation that supports kids and it was a wine tasting, this was more than appropriate...plus I know quite a few Mommy Winos! The event is November 8th at the Willow Glen Library, they'll be lots of wineries there for tastings, great food and lots to bid on!

I'm also working on some very small pieces for "tiny" an annual show of small works under $400. at Studio Gallery in San Francisco. My favorite so far is one called "I'll Show you Mine..." I'll leave that to your imagination! The show opens November 4th, and there is a reception also Sunday, November 8. For more info:
http://www.studiogallerysf.com/page15.html

Monday, October 12, 2009

Brewing Storm Brings Fresh New Work!




Yesterday, here in Northern California, a storm was coming in. I could smell it, feel it in the air and it felt good. There's something about rain that makes me just plain giddy. I'm no scientist but I've heard it has something to do with negative ions in the air. It works for me.

For some wacky reason I'm one of those people that gets shocked easily, I can't wear a watch, the battery just stops, I've blown out more kitchen appliances than I can count and wearing acrylic is simply out of the question; I become one of those lightening rod thingies in a glass globe and become, well, conductive. Its quite unpleasant. Electricity, I'm full of it. But when it rains, or its just about to, thats when I'm in my element, energetic and creative and in my own unbalanced way, balanced. So, I spent the better part of the day in my studio watching the storm come in and creating 4 new paintings. I was on a tear. Today the storm is in full force; its cold and dark with downed trees, and whistling winds...I love it.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Monsters, Mayhem and More, a Spooky Halloween Art Show!



Yikes, its been awhile since I've updated my blog! I apologize seems that the great summer weather has me playing hooky! But its back to uh, business, I guess. I'm back in the studio creating all kinds of new work, including some clay, felted wool guys, dolls and lots of my little paintings,.

I'll also be in a really fun show coming up on Saturday, October 3rd at Psycho Donuts In Campbell. It's a group show including artists Christine Benjamin, Trina Merry, Michael Foley, Lacey Bryant, Mary Medrano, Tracy Cox and more! We'll all be creating spooky, freaky art with a ghoulish twist. Besides the art, there will be live music, food and Psycho's frightfully good donuts! The event is free come join us from 10am - 2pm at Psycho Donuts 2006 S. Winchester Blvd (at Campbell Ave) in Campbell. Hope to see you there!

By the way the painting above is called " Me Likey Brains"!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Mischief at Studio Gallery San Francisco



Come check out the Mischief show at San Francisco's Studio Gallery on Polk Street. I'll have a few paintings in this really fun show filled with tons of original art for under $400. I'll be there - Sunday July 19th from 2-6pm!


http://www.studiogallerysf.com/Mischief09.html

Thursday, June 18, 2009

My Day Job



I often get asked, "You don't sell enough of those funky little paintings to survive, do you?" Well no, although I do sell quite a few, I have a day job. Its a cool day job, even an awesome day job. I do public art project management and installation with a local artist/architect. 'What the heck is that? ", you ask. We primarily work on school sites, creating art within an architectural setting. We just finished Trace Elementary School in San Jose where we worked with welders and glass blowers to create 2 amazing projects with an abstract rose design. I also did a broken tile mosaic around the school's outdoor stage. Like I always say, I'm lucky to be a working artist!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

See What all The Hub Bub's About at Psycho Donuts!


You may have read about Psycho Donuts in the newspaper or seen a story about them on the tv. Psycho Donuts is a small donut shop/art gallery who is getting some pretty controversial attention because of their name and the theme of their shop. Donuts have names such as Bipolar Disorder and Massive Head Trauma, there's a small padded cell where you can don a straight jacket and have your photo taken, and there's lots and lots of wild and crazy art. You see there are some in the mental health arena that feel that Psycho Donuts have gone a bit too far. As an occasional mental health patient myself, I feel that Psycho Donuts brings positive attention to the issue of mental health and through their efforts greater acceptance. Go check it out on Campbell Ave and Winchester in downtown Campbell. Take a peek at their blog at http://psychodonuts.blogspot.com/

Monday, April 27, 2009

New Work at Kaleid Gallery


Recently I've been selling my work at Kaleid Gallery, a community artspace with over 70 artists. I just put up several new paintings over there and checked out some of the other wonderful artists who exhibit there.
Some of my favorites are Lacey Bryant, Ben Shutz, Christine Benjamin, Kyle Pellet & J Renzel.
They have a reception every first Friday and Two Buck Tuesdays: great little art pieces for only 2 dollars, the 3rd Tuesday of every month.

KALEID Gallery
88 South Fourth Street (street level of the 4th St. Garage)
downtown, San Jose
408-947-1785


888 South 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95113 - For more info: 408.271.5158 South 4th Street, San Jose, CA 9511http://www.kaleidgallery.com/

Friday, April 24, 2009

Illustration Friday: Theater


This is a piece that I think represents life's little theater. It's called "Strings Attached".


This weekend is San Jose Museum of Art's A3 auction, I have a piece in the show so come by and check it out April 25 and 26. There's also a fantastic Andy Warhol prints show up now.

I'm getting my studio all spiffy for Open Studios, May 9th and 10th, stop by my home studio between 10-5pm to see what I've been working on. I'll have lots of new pieces for sale, including my sculptures and hopefully I'll finish a couple new Boyfriend Dolls. My friend Christine Benjamin will be joining me with her super-fun paintings.

The "Girl Power" show is still up at South 1st Street Billiards in Downtown San Jose. I also have a few pieces in Psycho Donuts in Campbell. Psycho Donuts is a really cool donut shop/gallery with crazy donuts and fantastic art, go check it out at 2006 Winchester Blvd in Campbell or visit http://www.psycho-donuts.com

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Mercury News on the Girl Power Show


Check it out! Thanks to Christine Benjamin for curating this fun show!

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_12166668

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

San Jose Museum of Art Auction & New Clay Pieces






Come to SJMA's A3 Auction on April 25 and 26, one of my pieces will be up for auction!




These haven't been fired or glazed yet, but I'm having so much fun making these clay sculptures. They should be ready for Open Studios May 9 and 10.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Heart of Chaos presents GIRL POWER


I'm busy getting ready for the Girl Power show which will happen Friday, April 3 from 8-midnight. I'll be a little late getting there as my son is performing in "Seussical" that night, but I'll be there around 9pm and will be doing some live painting. There will also be performances by DJ That Girl, belly dancing by Tribal Moon, poetry by Adriana Garcia, Hip Hop by Madam Killz and Addict's Attraction will DJ as well. Hope to see you!

South First Street Billiards
420 S. 1st Street
Downtown San Jose

Friday, March 20, 2009

My Daughter Ivy's 1st Solo Show


I've been teaching art classes since my kids were wee little babies, and my oldest child Ivy usually came along with me before she was in school. She's just sit in the back of the class and follow along with whatever I was teaching that day. Well now she's 16, and is having her first solo show at her high school. Her work is really incredible...she's currently developing her portfolio and visiting art schools. She hopes to become a writer & illustrator.
Ivy Atoms Solo Art Show
Friday March 27, 6-8pm

Willow Glen High School SIP Building

2001 Cottle Ave, San Jose

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Animal House


A New Member of our Family
As many of you know I'm just plain goofy when it comes to animals. We've just adopted a new pup from the San Jose animal shelter. He only had days left to be adopted and my husband and I just fell in love with him, so we've brought him home. His name is Ramon, we call him Ray and he's about 9 months old. They're calling him a chi-weenie, chihuahua and dachshund but I think there's a little baby deer thrown in!

Palo Alto Humane Society and Animal Art Gallery

Much of my work explores the relationships we have with our pets so I was really happy when the Palo Alto Humane Society Gallery contacted me about showing some of my animal pieces at their adorable little gallery in Menlo Park. If you buy artwork from them a big chunk of the proceeds go directly to the Humane Society. Check it out:

Palo Alto Humane Society and Animal Art Gallery, 520 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, California 94025
9 A.M. - 5 P.M., Monday - Friday
http://www.paloaltohumane.org/about/contact.php

Thursday, March 12, 2009

I Murphymae has a blog!

SJMA Member's Auction
I've just donated this piece on the left called "Open Up", to the San Jose Museum of Art's member's auction which will happen on Friday April 24th. Its open to the public on April 25th & 26th.
For more info:
http://www.sjmusart.org/a3/

Girl Power!
Lots of new paintings are evolving in my studio, lots about girlie stuff. I have a show coming up called "Girl Power" at South 1st Street Billiards in Downtown San Jose with fellow fab females Christine Benjamin, Lacey Bryant & Lara Sophia. The show starts at 8pm on April 3rd.
http://www.heartofchaos.net/girl-power-art-show.html

Open Studio
I'll also be doing Open Studios again this year. Last year was a blast at artist Katy Kindig's house, but this year I've decided to open up my home studio. Stop by the weekend
May 9th & 10th from 10am-5pm to see my studio and what I'm working on. I'll be joined by my friend Christine Benjamin who will be showing her fun paintings!
For more info and directions:

http://www.svos.org/artist.php?id=1708