Biography

Lee is originally from the northeastern USA and was raised in a suburb of Boston. He was attracted to art at an early age. In High School, his interest turned to mechanical things, and he enjoyed taking classes in mechanical drawing (drafting). He subsequently enlisted in the USAF for what was intended to be a four-year hitch.  As things turned out, he made a career of it. During this period, he painted occasionally, earned two college degrees and obtained a direct commission as a medical service officer. Upon retirement, he conducted medical audits nationwide and when not on the road, he developed his artistic skills. Approximately 15 years ago, while thinking about his retirement years, he planned to begin a third career as a professional artist. With that goal he began enrolling in as many art courses as his schedule would allow. Lee has developed his comfort undertaking complex subjects and striving for realism with attention to detail, textures, edges, perspective and a multitude of items to accurately create his images. He primarily works in oil paints and enjoys painting in a traditional format on a wide variety of subjects. His strongest talents are in replicating man-made subjects where tight control and accurate details are paramount for realistic images. Lee works from his home studio and on location in plein air.

 

As Lee continues down this path, he fully understands there is room for self-improvement.   Hopefully, you will view and enjoy his work and sense his enjoyment in creating it. 

 

Blog Post

Vernelle Studio, Marjorie Vernelle, watercolor and pastel artist, writes about Lee's background and artistic work.  https://www.vernellestudio.com/post/lee-murphy-fine-art-and-man-made-things

 

Organizations

Creative Arts Center of Chatham, Massachusetts, (former member)

Pikes Peak Watercolor Society,  (former member)

Colorado Springs Art Guild, (former member)

 

Education

Lee has studied under the following local, national and international artists:

Tim Deibler, Marc Hanson, Tom Owen, Chuck Mardosz, Sparky Lebold, Lisa Hewett, Dan Schultz, Richard Dahlquist, Martha Mann and Linda Baker.

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Workshops

May 2019, Sicily, Italy: 10-day Plein Air Class led by Chuck Mardosz and Sparky LaBold​

August 2018, Coastal Maine: 5-day Plein Air Class led by Marc Hanson

Chuck Mardosz & Sparky Lebold oil painting in Portugal 

Tom Owen watercolor workshop in Colorado Springs, CO

Linda Baker watercolor workshop in Colorado Springs, CO

 

Achievements  

2026 - "Destination Plein Air Workshop - Pikes Peak", July 10-12, feaured master artists Chuck                   Mardosz, Tim Deibler and Michael Gault.

2025 - Participated in the Roll Bike Art Festival in Colorado Springs, CO

2024 - Joined Reserve Our Gallery located in Woodland Park, CO

         - Placed images upon request for showing at the Anita Marie Fine Art Gallery in Colorado                 Springs, CO

         - Regularly participated in the Gold Hill Mesa Community Center Art on the Mesa shows on               an ongoing basis through the present

2023 - Selected to provide entries into the USAF Art Support competition

         - Participated in the five-day Pikes Peak Plein Air Adventure in Woodland Park, CO

2022 - Began marketing note cards with his images at Poor Richard's Book Store in Colorado                     Springs which has continued through the present

         - Became a member of the Creative Arts Center in Chatham, MA and participated in their                 March 2023 competition/show

2021 - Lee joined the artists at the Turquoise Door Gallery in Telluride, CO

         -  Featured Artist at Gallery 113

         - Participated in Victor Celebrates the Arts and was subsequently picked as one of three                     artists commissioned by the Newmont Mining Corporation (the world's largest gold mining             producer) to paint a mining structure which will soon be raised. The image now hangs in                 the Heritage House Visitor's center in Cripple Creek, CO

2020 - Gallery 113 received the same Bronze award two years in a row

2019 - Received the Western Albert award at the Victor Celebrates the Arts competition

         - Completed a six-day plein air class led by Chuck Mardosz and Sparky Lebold in Sicily

         - Completed a four-day watercolor class led by Linda Baker in Colorado Springs

         - Gallery 113, where Lee was represented, received the Bronze Award for Best Commercial                 Gallery by the Gazette Telegraph newspaper

2018 - Joined Gallery 113 and later that year was a Featured Artist

         - Gold Hill Mesa art show selectee

         - People's Choice Award & Honorable Mention: 15th annual Sunny Vista Competition

         - First Place Colorado Springs Art Guild annual competition for "Quiet Harbor"

         - Attended a Coastal Maine five-day plein air class led by Marc Hanson

2017 - Attendee at a six-day plein air class led by Chuck Mardosz and Sparky Lebold in Portugal

         - Participated in Victor Celebrates the Arts event in Victor, CO resulting in awards and sales

2016 - Selected to participate in a center exhibition for the Cottonwood Center for the Arts in                   Colorado Springs

         - Plein Air Magazine selectee for annual competition

         - Selected to display work in the Colorado State Capitol building

         - Gold Hill Mesa art sale participant

         - Frontier Airlines founder and board chairman requested one of my paintings for his office

         - Second Place at the Sunny Vista 14th Annual art show in the oil painting category

         - Completed a five-day watercolor class led by Tom Owen

2015 - Commissioned by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services to paint             a related image for their corporate headquarters

2013 - Selected to participate in the International Water Media Competition in Colorado Springs

2010 - Joined the artists at the Boulder Street Gallery

2008 - Illustrations published in a book "The Spirit of Tea" Published by Frank Hadley Murphy

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Quote

“I Cannot tell you how much your artwork meant to me and the board.  It made our 25th organizational anniversary a very special event that we will not forget.“  

The words of Ms. Eileen Frazer, CEO of CAMTS at the unveiling of a commissioned piece aboard the HMS Queen Mary in November 2015

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