anita murphy

These are one of my favourite flowers of all. I love their sculptural quality and the grace of the curves of the petals. Experimenting with backgrounds this week with lots of different techniques, using cling film, blowing and dribbling paints and masking fluid and splattering. I’m having to learn patience and waiting for layers of…

A little late for Christmas but one of my favourite birds, nevertheless. Their little red breasts brighten even the darkest winter day, adding a splash of colour. While still working predominately in watercolour, I am beginning to think more about mixed media. I’ve been studying various artists including John Lovett, Shirley Trevena and Ann Bockley…

Some creatures faces just speak to you, their eyes may catch your attention, their expressions, attitudes. Owls do that for me and barn owls with their lovely large eyes but seemingly blank expressions are so enigmatic.

I watched a wonderful series on television which featured kingfishers and since then I have been mesmerised by these little birds. Their flashes of brilliant colour brighten riverbanks and add a irridescent magic to the leafy green world of water and trees.

It’s such a pleasure and honour to be asked to do a commission for someone – an old friend asked if I could paint a hoopoe for her to give to her husband for Christmas. An easy choice to say yes on two counts; she is an old friend and I love hoopoes. I grew…

I recently saw an exquisite botanical painting of a single rosehip – it was perfect! You could have picked it up off the paper, it was so realistic. On my weekly foray to the florist, I found that they had sprays of rosehips. So this week’s floral paintings are inspired by one perfect rosehip.