Watercolor Art & Illustration
Janet Murphy
J. Murphy Designs
Artist Bio
As a life-long artist I became fascinated with design, drawing and painting at a young age. My evolution into watercolor began when I first attended college to study Commercial Art in Idaho. After a few years of travel, creating hand painted signs and continuing to explore my artistic way, I returned to college to study Graphic Design and Illustration. It was during this time I focused on painting watercolor (and gouache) illustrations extending the range of my artistic journey. Since then, I have worked as a Graphic Designer, Digital Illustrator, Artist, Art Instructor (for adults and students) for 30+ years based in McCall, Idaho.
As an Illustrative Artist, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Information Technology. I have created graphic designs and illustrations for books, educational posters, interpretive signs, collateral, prints, cards, paintings by commission and as private collections. One of my first commissioned watercolors DBA as J. Murphy Designs was "Rare Native Fishes of Idaho" painted for Idaho Fisheries Society in 1994.
I have worked in acrylic, painted murals, and dabbled in oil painting, but these days I reach mostly for my watercolors. I love to watch its spontaneity and the magic of creating different transparent textures throughout the painting process. Always learning, I’m happiest when I am painting! J
critterstory
A children's picture book
critterstory is a a picture book written by Niki LeClair and illustrated by Janet Murphy. Published in 2018, critterstory features four poems that follow critters in nature with an emphasis on the joy they bring. Learn “I Want a Horse,” the song of little Niki who wants a palomino horse. Wonder at Beulah the beautiful basset hound who lies by the heater (instead of being outside where the dogs could meet her). Imagine the glimpse of sandhill cranes as they fly by, and giggle at a feisty fox as he romps and searches for a mouse below the snow.