On This Day One Year Ago

I do enjoy the “On This Day” one year ago or ten years ago that Facebook and Google Photos often fill our feeds with. Reminding us of things we were proud of or “accomplished” that week, family events, a sense of normal from the past. Anyway, this was a great assignment illustrating the article “The Origins of Christmas — and What Remains” by Andrea Aliseda for Edible Manhattan Celebrations Issue December 2019. My Best friend from art school is from Mexico and I have traveled there many times. We took our daughter Greta to Oaxaca a couple years ago. Her first excursion out of the country minus a quick jaunt to Canada. So it was a great pleasure to research and illustrate this project. AMO MÉXICO

The Aztecs — Temple Hearts

Digital Illustration for Edible Manhattan Celebrations Issue December 2019 responding to “The Origins of Christmas — and What Remains” by Andrea Aliseda Prints Available

The hearts of humans past tumbling down the Temple stairs with a nod to Keith Haring’s dynamic use of quotes. The skeptical sun looming. This drawing I originally thought to use the anatomical hearts, but figured it was too much or too gruesome, so I submitted it with the heart shape we all know. My editor and the author came back and requested a look with anatomical hearts and I happily sent that right along and this was the one selected.

The Aztec people, who reigned over five to six million people and up to 500 small states, were ruled as a civilization by the fealty to their gods and went to great lengths to please them. Illustrations by Kat Murphy

Huitzilopochtli

Huitzilopochtli, known as “blue hummingbird to the left,” god of sun and war, was among the most crucial to the Aztec people’s livelihood. Being in good graces with him ensured rainfall, harvest and triumph in battle. Illustration by Kat Murphy Prints Available

Maíz Sagrado

In addition to amaranth, the ceremony Panquetzalitzli had another sacred ingredient: maíz. Women would skillfully create figurines with blue toasted maíz and maguey honey. Illustration by Kat Murphy Prints Available

Big Wheel Found A Forever Home Archival Prints Available

I love it when clients, friends and family share pictures of my artwork in their homes. It is such an honor and I am so grateful to be featured on their walls. Here Big Wheel finds a home in Colorado. Big wheel is one of the last color wheels I did a couple years ago. Commissions are available please contact me for custom wheels.
Archival Prints of Big Wheel are now availble in THE PRINT SHOP

BIG WHEEL Prints Available In The PRINT SHOP

Thank you and Goodbye

“Wheat Sweep” found a new home this week. Many thanks to Salt Mystic my sister Patti’s shop in Downtown Mystic, CT next to Engine Room. She has created a rad community of makers and artists and collectors and I am super grateful. One of her repeat customers saw my painting last year and when they recently returned to the shop they remembered the painting and wondered if it was still there ??? it was not there that day, but they asked after if and low and behold it was available at my studio ready and waiting. I was able to meet the new owners and I am so happy for the opportunity. A good home it has.

Wheat Sweep

60” x 46”
mixed media, encaustic, graphite, gold dutch metal on board
SOLD