Charles Murphy teaching April classes

“Strutting” by Charles Murphy

One of northern Michigan’s best known and loved artists, Charles Murphy, will teach “Watercolor Adventures” during April at Twisted Fish Gallery. Class size is limited and the class is expected to be hugely popular (March classes with Mary Guntzviller were full before the registration deadline) so don’t delay. Call 264-0123 to register by March 31.

Charles Murphy teaches a class in Italy.

Murphy is an internationally acclaimed painter and illustrator who will share his talent in the new “Art in Motion” series.

Classes will be held each Thursday in April from 9:30 a.m. to noon and are open to the public. Register for one class or all five. Cost is $40 for each class. Call 264-0123 to register soon; this class will fill up quickly!

The classes are appropriate for beginning or experienced painters. “Students will explore a wide variety of possibilities using the watercolor medium,” Murphy said. “Special techniques will be highlighted with instructions and examples for integrating them into a painter’s personal style.”

Click on the image below to see the supply list for the class.

The supply list for Watercolor Adventures, taught by Charles Murphy.

Murphy, of Traverse City, has taught painting classes and workshops since 1975. He grew up in southern Minnesota and always wanted to be a painted; his grandfather was one of his earliest inspirations.

“Arrival,” by Charles Murphy, left, is the new public art installation in downtown Traverse City, replacing work by Paul Welch, right.

Murphy is a graduate of Minnesota State University with a BFA (magna cum laude) in studio arts. He has done the art fair circuit and worked with more than 40 galleries through his career; his art is in numerous private and public collections, including Kraft, General Motors and Prudential.

He was named “Art Educator of the Year” by the Traverse Area Arts Council in 2003 and the demand for his classes continues to grow. Classes at Twisted Fish will be limited to 16 students, so register now; the final deadline to sign up is March 31.

Murphy’s work as an illustrator is also widely published, including “Reach for the Moon” by Samantha Abeel, “Smokey the Raccoon” by Peggy Featherstone and “Chickadees at Night” and “The Chickadee Spirit” by Bill O. Smith. “The Waking Hour” was written and illustrated by Murphy.

Murphy’s work is featured at Twisted Fish Gallery,  as well as our online store, the Fine Art Mart.

Classes are scheduled for April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

Call 264-0123 to register by March 31.