Charles Murphy grew up in southern Minnesota and remembers always wanting to be a painter.  His grandfather, who was fluent with a pencil, served as his earliest inspiration.

Graduating from Minnesota State University with his BFA in Studio Art, he set off for Cape Cod to immerse himself in a community of artisits.  After his first taste of apinting and exhibiting on the East Coast, he settled in the Grand Traverse Bay area of northern Michigan where he again found himself in a large community of artists.  For several years, Murphy exhibited in art fairs around the state, garnering award and a large audience of collectors.  With additional assistance from galleries and dealers who represented him, his work found its way into many large corporate collections such as Kraft, General Motors, Prudential, Mead Corporation, International Harvestor, Us Gypsum and Joh Hancock.

While his career as a painter took form he supplemented his income through another of his interests, woodworking.  Murphy spent a number of years designing furniture and cabinet making for shops in the Grand Traverse region.  Seeking greater fulfillment from his painting, he set the woodworking aside and began teaching painting classes and workships at regional art centers.  Expanding on this experience he has undertaken more travel for his own painting as well as the opportunity to teach in a variety of environments.  These pursuits have taken him around the US , France, Spain, Italy, Nova Scotia, Hawaii and the Caribbean.

A couple of excursions into illustration have resulted in two books. The first book, the award-winning "Reach for the Moon" was a collaboration with a young learning disabled writer.  The second bood, a children's book titled "Smokey the Raccoon", published by PF Publishing.  In 2002 Charles was flatter to have his work selected for publication in Artists' Magazine's 2002 limited edition calendar.  The calendar features 13 artists juried from a field of 13,000.

Charles Murphy curently teaches painting programs at the Grand Traverse Art Center in Traverse City, Michigan.  His works are in the 143rd Annual International Traveling Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society.

June 11-13, 2010-A mixed media presentation of original artwork in oils and watercolor.

       Opening Reception--Friday, June 11

June 24-All day intensive workshop -Registration is required

July 12-Lecture and demonstration-Open to all