Liam Murphy was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1964 and is an Irish and a Canadian citizen. He studied art at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario under the tutelage of David Blackwood, graduating in 1983. He completed a four year Diploma at the Ontario College of Art and then went on to Laval University, Québec, Québec, Canada where he graduated with a Visual Arts degree in 1990. He completed his Teacher education at Daemen College in Amherst, New York and also studied at the University of Toronto; he completed his Principal Qualifications via the Ontario Principals’ Council in Toronto.  

Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations, commented: “The exhibition is an excellent example of how the universal language of art can bring nations together and promotes greater understanding between peoples and cultures.”

In 1999 his painting "Alert Chipmunk" was selected for the cover of the 1999 Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Calendar.  He exhibited at the 86th Annual Exhibition at The National Arts Club, New York, and is proud to be an associate member of the Allied Artists of America, Inc. Liam was pleased to have his painting "Rustic Relic" critiqued by Gil Delinger in the November 2000 issue of The Artist's Magazine. Gil Dellinger is a professor of art at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California and is a signature member of the California Art Club and the Pastel Society of America.  

Liam was inspired in his formative years by the varied works of John Constable, David Blackwood, Georgia O’Keefe, Claude Monet, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso and still is.  Liam stated: “Many of my landscape and floral paintings focus on interesting images noted in Hawaii, Europe and all over North America.  I search for a natural rhythm in the composition of my paintings.  Presently, I am creating abstract representations of stars, planets, galaxies of a possible alternate universe as I investigate our infinite Cosmos.  I live to create and paint.”  

On a separate note, I am distantly related to the Von Trapp family and it was kind of Maria Von Trapp to inform me many years ago in several personal short notes about the importance of Robert Whitehead her Great Grandfather when I was exhibiting at the Galerie West End in Montréal. Maria Von Trapp was interested to learn that we are all directly related to the famous Irish novelist and playwright Kate O’Brien and I particularly love Kate’s book That Lady (1946) which in 1949 became a Broadway show and in 1955 became an artistically acclaimed movie that was distributed by 20th Century Fox.”

"Painting is the most beautiful of all arts.
In it, all sensations are condensed; contemplating it, everyone can create a
story at the will of his imagination."
-Paul Gaugin

Letter from Maria Von Trapp to Liam Murphy

Publications

Art News Canada artnews.ca: “Featured Artist Liam Murphy” pp.1, Nov. 28, 2007

Practical Painting  practicalpainting.com  “Painting with Winsor & Newton paints…” Liam Murphy, pp.1 Dec. 1-29, 2006

Art News Canada  artnews.ca: “Featured Artist Liam Murphy” pp. 1, Sept. 3-28, 2006

Muskoka Today: “Liam Murphy’s Art Exhibition at the Port Carling Golf and Country Club” pp. 2, June 1, 2006

Muskokan: “Community Events,” Liam Murphy Art Exhibition pp. 2, May 30, 2006

Snap Magazine www.snapbeaches.com: Andrew Howard, “Artist Liam Murphy,” Vol.1 no. 1, pp. 21, February, 2006

Beach Metro Community News: Bill McClean, “Beach Art Scene,” pp. 19,  November 29, 2005

The Artist’s Magazine: Gil Dellinger, “Refining Your Technique,” pp.34-37, November 2000.

Winsor & Newton Calendar: Steve Pleune, “Winsor & Newton Our World In The Year 2000,” pp.2, Designed by Lloyd Fishwick Associates, Printed by The Wosley Press, Ipswich, UK, January 2000.

OCAD Sketch Fall 1999: A publication for the Ontario College of Art & Design: “Alumni News,” pp.12, September 1999.

Trinity College News Fall 1999: Tricia Mandryk, “Class Notes,”pp. 40-41, Vol. 43, no. 2, October 1999.

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Calendar; Deborah Crew, “1999 Ontario Wildlife Calendar,” cover 1998.

Honours

1999 HRH Prince Charles judged and helped select with four other judges my painting “Yesteryear’s Rose” at his residence in St. James Palace to represent Canada in the Winsor & Newton international art exhibition held in London, Stockholm and at the United Nations in New York.

1999 Finalist in the Canadian portion of the Winsor & Newton Millenium Painting Competition.