Today is an exciting post for me! We have a famous Houston Artist as our guest! Max's paws are clapping wildly!!!
April Murphy was born in Dallas, Texas, but Houston has always been what she calls home. She's a huge pet lover and animal advocate. As a preteen and teen she enjoyed art and found inspiration through Ann Brightwell, her art and oil painting instructor from the YMCA. Time went on and she put aside her art and did the whole 9-5 scenario with a large bank as a Marketing/Design Consultant until in 2009 when she was laid off. That lay off gave her the time to rediscover her passion for art and she never looked back!
April's work can be found on AEM Gallery, through her AEM Gallery Shop at Etsy, or through her very active Facebook Page where she posts new art almost daily. You can also contact Ms. Murphy on her Contact Page.
Of course this is one of my personal favorites that I spotted at one of April Murphy's shows recently. Can you guess why?!
Buster's Friends is a rescue organization dear to April's heart and she donated the layout, design and art for their Calendar, while Robyn Arouty donated her photos to make this fundraising project happen. The Calendars were $20 each of $15 for 5 and approximately 500 Calendars were sold!!!
 |
| Photograph provided by the talented Robyn Arouty April Murphy and her buddy Daphey |
Corky, Cody and Scat Cat (one very bitchy Tortie) rule the house along with her goofy Lab-Pit Mix (Daphey). She saw Daphey, (then Daphne) on Pet Finder and was instantly in love! Daphey was found by Scout's Honor Rescue as a 17 lb. walking skeleton with sores on her head. They nursed her back to a respectable 35 lb. pup. That's when she came to April. Now she is a 65 lb. Velcro dog who adores running and chasing her tennis balls when she is not underfoot.
April has graciously offered Max's followers 20% off when using the code MAX2013 in the AEM Gallery. This is valid until May 7, 2013!
Here a just a few samples of April Murphy's stunning works...
Max loves her work too!!!
 |
Don't worry...I'll be back tomorrow to entertain you! Right now I'm just chillaxin' at my Auntie and Uncles place while Ma types.
|
They are just pawsome Max. We love them. Thanks for sharing. Have a terrific Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
You have a great Tuesday too! Hope you're feeling 100%!!
DeleteVery unique style she has!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and colorful!
Delete...because it has the name the "treat Seat"? Oh I wish I had such a seat... Or maybe it is because the pup looks like you? I like the rainbow colored dogs, they are bringing good mood :o)
ReplyDeleteHa...I didn't even notice that :)...cuz it looks like Max, I saw that one at one of her recent shows and loved it!
DeleteThe one titled "your highness" is my favorite. Is all of her art about dogs? Great story - she looks so happy in her studio with Daphe, I bet she didn't look like that working at the bank :) I'm heading over to look at her gallery work. Thank you for an interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThat one was my son's favorite too! No, not all dogs and cats...I first saw her work at O to Z Ozstravaganza showing (Wizard of Oz)and if you click Mardi-Art on her link it will show you the other stuff too. Boy, you KNOW you are right about not looking that happy working the 9-5 thing (like me...boo hoo)- who wouldn't be happier though working with their pup?! :)
DeleteWow, they are wonderful! They combine my two favourite things, dogs and bright colours.
ReplyDeleteLynne x
Ha, me too Lynne - just makes ya happy looking at them! (both)
DeleteVery nice. Love the color.
ReplyDeleteHave to smile when you look at them!
DeleteThose are so awesome!! I Love the colors. I love the peace sign one the best, I think....I love them all.
ReplyDeleteI thought you might! I think we have similar taste :)
DeleteThose are so beautiful! I notice you're in Texas - me too!
ReplyDeleteSo what's in your neck of the woods that might be fun for Max and I to do? Thanks too for following Max's blog - I appreciate it and will be headed to your in just a second.
DeleteThey are beautiful! Colours are amazing! You look great!
ReplyDeleteMaggie
Maggie-I would like to lie and say that's my Max but it isn't :(...but pretty darn close right?! This is the one I fell in love with at one of her showings :)
DeleteWow those were beautiful...mom wishes she had some talent in something...she just hasn't found it yet, not in cooking, sewing, painting, photography...not in nothin!
ReplyDeletestella rose
Mom, don't feel alone...I want to be artsy soooo bad, but I've had to accept the fact that I'm not and just enjoy learning about my new camera :(....my poor Home Ec. teacher even agreed to finish my tote bag sewing project and give me a C cuz I think she'd never seen someone as untalented as me! ha! BUT...you ARE talented at something!!!! You do a mean blog and wait a minute...you ARE a great photographer...I had to double check and click over to be sure I wasn't mistake but I'm not!!!!Hey, no fair...
DeleteOhhhh myyyyyyyyyy!! My Mom is sooooooooo in love with her work! The colors are just so vibrant and amazing! She is so talented! Mom is totally broke right now or she would order from her but she marked her Etsy shop as a "favorite" and "liked" her on Facebook for one day when Mom has money! Thank you soooooo much for sharing April's work with us!
ReplyDeleteYea, happy you love her work too! If you follow, like or whatever the right terminology is on Facebook she has some great deals sometimes so that should help that you did that! I know, I hate being broke too but I can't complain...got a job, roof over my head and awesome kids, family and pup and cat!
DeleteThey are just lovely Max :) very talented xx00xx
ReplyDeleteMollie and Alfie
Mollie, we thought you would agree because you have such wonderful taste :)
DeleteI love this artist and her work!
ReplyDeleteMe too and thought it was nice of her to offer a 20% off too, she was nice to meet in person also and I like that she helps with Buster's Friends too!
DeleteCool pictures...we love bright colors!
ReplyDeleteGosh, I bet she'd do a great Emma, but then Emma IS one of a kind for sure! Love her!
Deletethose are pawsome paintings - we too love the bright the colors
ReplyDeleteJust screams to be happy right?!
DeleteThose are barktastic! You enjoy your day off, Max! You work too hard!
ReplyDeleteHey Dina, I am diggin' that new word...barktastic...think you're on to something! Yes, Max had to get his beauty sleep...might see Chloe soon :)
DeleteWow - her work is totally pawesome! I even love the titles. So fun and bright! Already liked her Facebook page. Now off to check out her Etsy site. Thanks Max!
ReplyDeleteGlad you and Rita liked her work! Be sure to use the 20% off code of MAX2013 if you get anything :)...gosh, I really need to be better about getting on Facebook...but soo little time :)
DeleteOh Max she's wonderful! And that sure does look like you :)"Good Morning Sunshine" looks like me on my couch
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it look like Me?! I want to lie and say it is, but Ma said she'd ground me for lying...but I BET it REALLY is...that artist must have seen me and said "He is a walking Masterpiece!", that "Good Morning Sunshine" does sorta look like you too Gizmo...you think she saw you and said the same EXACT words?! I'm going with yes!!! I think we are some art-inspiring pups...our Ma's just don't know!!
DeleteWell, her art looks beautiful, but I did notice that it is a little short on beautiful kitties models!
ReplyDeleteWowee, Rachel's work is absolutely beautiful! I love her use of bright colors (and, of course, the content too...hehehe)!!! :-D That first picture is a spitting image of you Max!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow, she's very talented! Her artworks are very different too and very colorful. I'm sure Max enjoyed being around her :)
ReplyDeleteLove the colors! And while I can see why you like that first painting, I'm pretty sure "The Watering Hole" is the best :)
ReplyDeleteGreat work.
ReplyDeleteSheba.
Love that artist - she could actually give me, a black dog, colour!
ReplyDeleteAnd I did think that was a portrait of you until I read further :-)