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ARTIST'S STATEMENT

“I am a classically trained figurative sculptor who fell down the strange and amazing rabbit hole of the garage kit industry a number of years ago. After receiving a BFA in General Sculptural Studies from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2001, I exhibited my fine art steadily with the Emotionalism art movement, while also working full time as a manager in the service industry.  I was introduced to the subculture of American garage kit enthusiasts in 2007, and began creating scale model character-based sculptures for clients as well as my own Toolmark Studio brand. My work was met with great interest by the kit community, receiving excellent reviews in Amazing Figure Modeler Magazine, for which I later wrote a feature article on character sculpture.

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I became fascinated by the dramatic possibilities and technical challenges posed by the scale model work. In 2009, I ceased exhibiting fine art to focus on commissions. Since then, I have designed and executed an eclectic mix of work for clients including collectors, model producers and other artists. I have won awards for my scale work in both the US and Japan. In 2011, I was awarded the Edward Fenno Hoffman Prize at the National Sculpture Society's Figurative Sculpture Competition and was also invited to work as a contract support sculptor for legendary Hollywood creature artist Jordu Schell.

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Most recently, I have renewed my interest in the portrait as a member of the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, and am exploring the exciting realm of digital sculpture."

 

Julia Ambrose Murphy

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EDUCATION

Maryland Institute College of Art 1997-2001

BFA General Sculptural Studies, Minor in Writing for Theater

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SELECTED EXHIBITIONS ​

  • Farum Kulturhus, "Polish-American Art & Emotions," Copenhagen, Denmark, June-August 2008 ​

  • Howland Cultural Center, “In Love with Nature,” Beacon, NY, May-July 2008 ​

  • Polish American Society of Connecticut, “The Nature of Art IV,” New Britain, CT, April 2008​

  • ArtSpace Hartford, “un+art,” Hartford, CT, January-February 2008

  • SUNY Orange, “The Emotionalists,” Middletown, NY, December 2007 ​

  • Amber Gallery, “Emotionalism," Washington, DC, September 2007-January 2008 ​

  • New Century Artists Gallery, “Art & Emotions,” New York, NY, June 2007 ​

  • Clay Nickel Studio and Milford Fine Arts Council, “Spring Open Studio,” Milford, CT, May 2007 ​

  • Polish American Society of Connecticut, “The Nature of Art,” New Britain, CT, March 2007​

  • Shtooka Gallery, “The Nature of Art,” New York, NY, November 2006 ​

  • ArtSpace Hartford, “Prosopography,” Hartford, CT, May 2006

  • Polish American Society, “New Works,” New Britain, CT, February-March 2006 ​

  • Europa Gallery, “Drawings,” Brooklyn, NY, December 2005​

  • West Hartford Symphony Orchestra, “Painted Violins and Other Artful Instruments," West Hartford, CT July-September 2005 ​

  • Polish American Society of Connecticut, “Emotionalism,” New Britain, CT, December 2004

  • Kurier Plus Gallery, “Graphics and Drawings,” Brooklyn, NY, November-December 2004

  • Kurier Plus Gallery, “Ten Years: Emotionalism,” Brooklyn, NY, February-March 2004

  • Polonaise Art Gallery, “Surrealism,” Woodstock, VT, May-June 2003

  • Muzeum Historii Polskiego Ruchu Ludowego, “In Tune with Nature,” Warsaw, Poland,  July 2003-August 2004 (traveling exhibit) 

  • Skulski Art Gallery, Polish Cultural Foundation, Clark, NJ, February-March 2003

  • Europa Gallery, “Open Cycle,” Brooklyn, NY, November 2002

  • Flushing Library, “Emotionalism,” Flushing, NY, October-November 2002 

  • Northeastern University, “Emotionalism,” Boston, MA, October-November 2002 ​

  • Cultural Center of Fine Arts, Realism 2002, Parkersburg, WV, March-May 2002 ​

  • National Sculpture Society, “Animals in the Atrium,” New York, New York August-October 2001 ​

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