Local Art Seen: Scott Murphy Studio Tour

Though his imagery is often whimsical, many of his paintings are quite pointed and serious in intent. I posted my first interview with Scott Murphy in 2013. Last summer it was my intention to post a follow up in anticipation of a show that was planned for Fall 2017 at Lizzard's. Unfortunately, a reckless driver careened into his lane at high speed and struck the car he was driving head on.

All the bones in Scott's legs were broken. His wife Colleen had serious but less life-threatening injuries.

In the center top of the painting above you can see what their car looked like after the accident. Scott never saw this image so it is based on police photos. He had to be extricated from the wreck by jaws of death technology. In the upper right is a pig playing a banjo. There was no water on the road the day of the crash so this feature, like the pig, has symbolic meaning. The pig, which recurs in other pieces, was a hallucination he kept having during his post-accident delirium in St. Mary's Intensive Care Unit.

Considering the extent of his injuries, Murphy is remarkably upbeat. Currently he is driven by the need to finish enough new material for an October 4 joint exhibition at Lizzard's Gallery with Robin Murphy, What follows are a a few shots I took in his studio this week.

We talked about aerial balloons among other things.

Girl with a Baby Badger in Tutu.

The artist at his easel.

"After They Privatized the Clouds."

The opening in October is one you will not want to miss.

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REMINDER

Food Farm Open House and Art Installation in Wrenshall

Sunday, August 26, 2018
Food Farm: 2612 Co Road 1, Wrenshall, MN 55797
Farm tours and open house 2-5pm (Free)
Art Exhibition Opening: 909 Co Road 4, Wrenshall, MN 55797

NOTE: EVIDENTLY THERE IS CONSTRUCTION (no surprise) and an alternate route is recommended as follows from West Duluth:
Hwy 23 south to County Road 4

Right on County Road 4. The barn is located just to the right after the interesction of County 4 and 1.

Meantime, Art Goes On All Around You. Engage It.