Lora Murphy | Artist

Artist’s Statement

My inspiration comes from life and imagination and I find reflection on the human condition and the human psyche to be endlessly inspiring.

I am interested in what drives us, as human beings, and our consciousness. I feel an enormously profound connection to my female ancestors and a deep responsibility to them, to live my life and practice my passion with the awareness that, it is their struggle that has allowed me to live and paint with freedom and equality. To paraphrase Maya Angelou from one of her wonderful poems, “I come as one, but I stand as 10,000.” (The Grandmothers), resonates very deeply with me. To me, this means not just my ancestors but also the family or lineage of artists to which each of us belongs.

It inspires, thrills and humbles me to think about and be connected to the Fayum painters of 2,000 years ago, who painted with the same materials and, no doubt, passion that we do. I think there is something about the wax medium that speaks to each of us who use it, on a very deep level. I have so often seen a passion in artists working with encaustic paints that seems to inhabit the deepest parts of them and defies explanation. It is almost instinctual and it keeps us working with this tantalizing, infuriating, marvelous and incomparable medium.

About My Work

I would characterize my work as representational but drawing on the complexity of feelings emotions and memories evoked by my celtic heritage.

I have a deep connection to the earth and nature as well as Jungian psychology and Alchemy .I am deeply inspired by the interconnectedness of all beings , the human journey that has brought us thus far and the realms of consciousness and imagination that can be explored. My work draws on Dreams, Unconscious symbolism, Myth and sometimes the struggle between Darkness, Light and Shadow.

I paint my responses to the world around and within me, the people who inspire me and the elements of life that ignite my deepest passion. Beeswax becomes not just the medium of expression but a symbol of transition and transformation connecting me to a world of emotions and feminine energies. My work is often layered with symbolism and my studies in Jungian and Archetypal psychology and Alchemy finds constant echoes in my painting.

Upcoming Workshops and Retreats

I first wanted to thank you for such a wonderful workshop! Your teaching style and enthusiasm along with your method of approaching portraiture felt so accessible and not intimidating at all. I had never done portraiture before and really was amazed that I was able to do it. I'm excited to keep at it and try and do more on my own. Karen B (USA)

Oil and Cold Wax Portraits

August 5th - 12th, 2023
EOM Studio and Old Convent Campus
US$2,995 | US$3,450
Encaustic and cold wax both offer endless possibilities but for the first time ever, I am offering an Oil and Cold Wax Portraiture class at my school here in the Wild west of Ireland!

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Encaustic Explorations

August 19th - 27th , 2023
Burren College of Art
US$5,600
Join us in the land of poets, dreamers... and legends for a week of wax and wonder in the Emerald Isle. Get ready for creative transformation as we embark on an adventure with two of the encaustic world's leading artists and instructors.
1 spot just opened! Registration link below.

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The Alchemy of Wax and Photography

Sept 16th - 17th, 2023 OR Sept 20th - 21st, 2023
Mulranny Arts
€275
This 2-day class will focus on the creation of amazing art works using Encaustic and Photography. There are several ways to incorporate photographs into encaustics including collage of printed images, mounting an image, embedding an image that has been printed on rice or tissue paper and photo transfers.

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Expressive Portraiture with Encaustic

October 17th & 18th, 2023
Mulranny Arts
US$300
A 2 day workshop after Celtic ConVergence. My step by step instruction, will show you how to approach a portrait or figure, from the initial drawing to the final highlight. I will demonstrate how to use the hot palette to create luminous skin tones, how to accurately draw the head, how to interpret the light, halftone and shadow.

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Encaustic & Mixed Media Portraiture and Figurative

Nov 3rd - 5th, 2023
Pacific NorthWest Art School
$650 (Tuition); $25 (Registration); $50 (Materials)
We will focus on the creation of rich and expressive surface designs and original pieces done with a combination of encaustic painting and mixed media techniques. Throughout the workshop, some different demonstrations will be done, providing an extensive array of visually-stimulating possibilities for artists to explore.

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Encaustic and Mixed Media

Nov 24th - 26th, 2023
Akademie der Bildenden Künste Kolbermoor
€360
The new workshop course that I have developed delves into a mixed media approach to working with Portraiture and Figurative painting. The working large format is ideal for that as there is scope for introducing many other elements to the work through layers and collage. Artists are invited to devote their entire surface to a large face for example, or to develop the elements around the face/figure.

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Kathmandu Explorations

January 2024
SOLD OUT

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Art on the Nile

March 2nd - 12th, 2024
Egypt
US$3,995 | US$4,495
Introducing my new oil and cold wax workshop where you will join me in both the Luxor studio and on our private boat on the Nile for a magical 10 night trip, including a 4 day workshop where we explore oils and cold wax WITHOUT SMELLY, DANGEROUS SOLVENTS!

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How to Safely Work with Cold Wax & Encaustics

April 18th, 2024
Portland, Oregon
US$185
Using portraiture,this class explores my brand new techniques for safely working with cold wax and encaustic! You will love this marriage of materials! and make a beautiful painting in the process!

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Wild & Expressive Portraits in Encaustic

April 19th, 2024
Portland, Oregon
US$185
Many people would like to try Portraiture in Encaustic but are unsure of where to start and how to proceed. This Workshop will take the mystery out of it. (But not the Magic!!) My step by step instruction will show you how to approach a portrait or figure, from the initial drawing to the final highlight.

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Painting the Raven in Encaustic

April 20th, 2024
Portland, Oregon
US$185
A fast and fun class using encaustic! Ravens were the favourite bird of the god Lludd, the Celtic god of artists and artisans who had two ravens in his company at all times. They are intelligent and playful and feature in so many Celtic myths and stories. So here is the chance to paint your own studio companion!

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Portraits in Oil & Cold Wax

April 21st, 2024
Portland, Oregon
US$185
Join me for a fun and fascinating introduction to painting a Portrait with Oil and Cold Wax medium BUT without solvents! You will learn the basics and much more about materials, supports, paints, unique tools which work beautifully , expressive mark-making and building a gorgeous, luscious history! and all about working safely!

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