ANNA MURPHY
Originally from England Anna Murphy is a Chicago based fine artist and muralist. Before moving to Chicago in 2012 Anna graduated with a B.F.A in painting from the University of Louisville, and was awarded the Winthrop Allen Memorial Scholarship for most outstanding graduating senior in 2D studios. Shortly after she was also awarded the Kentucky Foundation for Women Artist Enrichment Grant. In her studio work she specializes in realistic figurative and portraiture painting, in oil. Her paintings have deep roots in spirituality and the investigation into the power and divinity of feminine energy. In addition to her gallery work she is also a muralist, exhibiting her work in public spaces across Chicago and beyond. Her murals celebrate nature’s serene beauty, and our Divine connection to Mother Earth and the animal kingdom. Combining her fine art quality and intricate detail level of her traditional painting background into the public art world gives her murals a unique quality, and merges the two worlds of Fine Art and Street Art. She is a DCASE (City Of Chicago’s Public Art Prequalified List) approved artist, and was named by Artist Replete as one of Chicago’s top 10 artists to look out for in 2020. Her work has been featured several times in the Chicago Sun Times, Frank Magazine, The State Journal, Color and Curiosity, and also includes an acknowledgment from Oprah Winfrey. See more of her work on Instagram: @annapmurphy
“Painting is not only a way to heal myself and my own mind and soul, but it also gives me the wonderful opportunity to inspire and uplift others. This is my reason for all the work I create, to inspire, uplift, and move people to feel good. I get to explore philosophical questions and topics that are important to me, and most importantly have fun doing it. I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love every day. Creating something from nothing has always felt like magic to me, and my hope is that when people view my work they will feel that same magic within themselves.” – excerpt from interview with Color and Curiosity 2022.
In 2024, Anna was one of the featured artists painting during the first ever Highwood International Mural Festival curated by Collect With Lulu and Silvertuna Studios.
