I have been a painter since age eight, but also spent decades as a biologist analyzing the fascinating microscopic structure of cells and tissues. Now as a full-time artist, I am free to respond to larger-scale elements in my paintings. Provocative experiences, such as immersion in magnificent landscapes, being mesmerized by colored light in stained glass windows, and especially my study of the piano music of Chopin and Ravel, have shaped my self-expression. I use a variety of media to produce images evoking my subconscious reactions to these influences. COLOR is my most important tool.

 

Biography

Collin Murphy , Ph.D., is a visual artist living in Portland, Oregon, whose mixed media paintings are often inspired by musical themes. Her diverse career path included research in developmental genetics at UC Berkeley and in cell biology and ophthalmology at UC San Francisco. All the while, she has studied painting and piano music, and has been a piano student of Bonnie Garrett at Reed College since 2003. Her recent work has focused on the music of Chopin and Ravel and these paintings are being exhibited at the 2009 Portland International Piano Festival.

A prolific mixed-media painter, Collin completed an Artist’s Residency at Yosemite National Park in 2004 and has had her paintings in 6 exhibitions at the Yosemite Museum. She belongs to the Society of Layerists in Multi-Media and has participated in dozens of solo and group shows since moving to Oregon in 2003. This emerging artist has studied with contemporary painters Ann Baldwin, Robert Burridge, John Hulsey and Cristina Acosta. Over 100 of her paintings are in private collections in the USA and abroad

More of Collin's work can be viewed at www.collinmurphyart.com