Biographical Information:
Growing up in Larchmont, New York, I always enjoyed drawing and painting, but chose to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, rather than the art world. Now, following success as a writer/producer, I have returned to my first love; painting.
Inspired by photographers, such as Dorothea Lange, John Vachon, Frank Stallings, Mae Weems, and images capturing the Dust Bowl and Depression eras, I tackled a number of mixed media folk art pieces, incorporating acrylic paint and fabric on plywood, to create what I collectively call the “Heartland Series."
My love of dogs inspired my pet portraits, and whimsical “Canine Series” of mixed media folk art pieces, portraying clothed pups posing in a variety of landscapes, including a few landmarks featured on my Instagram page (richard.g.murphy.art).
Currently, my “Facescape Series” of acrylic paintings on canvas features portraits of friends and neighbors I have come to know and appreciate as I attempt to capture the depth of their character, especially through their eyes.
Attached below is my first Facescape painting that proved to be the “bridge” between my series of mixed media folk art, and my desire to tackle portraits. I call the mixed media self-portrait on canvas “Facescape Series: Memory Sweater”as the sweater features a collage of photos of myself from childhood to adulthood.
As a self-taught artist, what is most exciting is what I discover with each series, and each new painting. Indeed, the freedom to experiment with different brushes while mixing/diluting paint colors often results in what I like to call “happy accidents” that create beauty while inspiring a technique that I can exercise in my next work of art.
Consequently, when asked what I would consider to be my favorite painting, my reply is always “My next...!”
Artist Statement:
I’ve always been drawn to faces — the kind that reveal a story without saying a word. After years working as a writer and producer in film and television, I returned to my first love: painting. What began as a quiet experiment in portraiture quickly grew into something much more personal — a way to reconnect with the people and places around me through the lens of art.
The Facescape Series is an ongoing collection of acrylic portraits featuring friends, neighbors, and others who’ve shaped my life here in Los Angeles. These aren’t commissioned likenesses — they’re everyday people captured in a moment of reflection or stillness, painted with bold color, clean edges, and a sense of presence. Each piece is both a tribute and a conversation — an effort to really see someone, and in doing so, reflect something honest back to the viewer.
Though I didn’t attend art school, painting has always been in the background for me — sketchbooks, figure studies, portraits of my dogs. Over time, I’ve developed a direct, graphic style rooted in narrative and observation. My other series (Heartland and Canine Series) explore related ideas of identity, place, and connection.
Ultimately, my work is about people — their stories, their expressions, and the quiet power of simply being seen.
