About the Artist

 

Michelle Murphy-Ferguson is a Northern California painter, born in the mill town of Scotia and raised in the Eel Valley town of Fortuna.

She has had a lifelong devotion to the Arts. Her works include landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, and portraits. Whether working in plein aer, or alla prima in her studio, she strives to bring the viewer into reflecting on the world around us.
Inspired by past and present artists, she continues learning and studying, for painting is an ongoing process.

She has studied abroad in France, Germany, Italy and has participated in workshops in Southern California. Her work is held in public and private collections nationally and internationally. 

Public and Private Commissions:
2003 Private Collection, Aminata Maiga Ka, Dakar, Senegal, Africa
2002 Lamscheid Town Hall, Germany

Plein Air Painting Competitions:

2025  Humboldt Open Plein Air Paint Out --- Third Place

2024  Humboldt Open Plein Air Paint Out  ---Honorable Mention -- Garden Tails -- Storyline

2023  Humboldt Open Plein Air Paint Out --- Honorable Mention

2022   Humboldt Open Plein Air Paint Out ---Honorable Mention

2021   Humboldt Open Plein Air Paint Out ----Honorable Mention

2020   Humboldt Open Plein Air Paint Out

2016-2019

          2019

          Humboldt Open Plein Air Paint Out ----Award of Merit

          Mendocino Open Plein Air Paint Out --- Honorable Mention for "Marriage Problems...Dick's Place" Nocturne

2013-2016

2016 Plein Air on the Lost Coast, located in Shelter Cove, CA. --- Artist Choice Award at the

            2 hour Quick Draw Competition

2016 Frank Bette Center for the Arts Plein Air Paint Out, Alameda, CA. 

2016 Monterey Bay Plein Air Painter's Association with Natividad Foundation Show:

           Received an HONORABLE MENTION, Feb. Salinas, CA. 

2015 Mendocino Open Plein Air, Mendocino CA

          Received a 1ST PLACE OIL    

2015 Big Blue Live: The Artists' View, MBPAPA & Monterey Arts Council held at the Museum of Monterey

            Received an HONORABLE MENTION

2015 Big Sur Plein Air, MBPAPA & Studio 1 Gallery, Big Sur CA

2015Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout, Alameda CA

2014Lost Coast Plain Air, SCARF, Shelter Cove, CA

2014 Mendocino Open Paint Out, Mendocino, CA

2014Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout, Alameda CA

2013  Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout, Alameda CA

2013  Art in the Garden, Eureka,CA

1012  Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout, Alameda CA

2010  Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout, Alameda CA 

2009  Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout, Alameda CA 

2007  Old Monterey Plein Air Painting and Art Promenade, Monterey CA
2006  Turlock Plein Air Competition, Turlock CA
           Old Monterey Plein Air Painting and Art Promenade, Monterey CA
2005 Turlock Plein Air Competition, Turlock CA

Juried Group Shows:

2016 Celebrating Monterey County Juried Show, Monterey County Government Center, Monterey CA.

2016 Redwood Art Association Juried Show, Eureka, CA.

2016 Studio One Group Show, Eureka CA.

2016 Representational Art League Annual Show, RAA Upstairs Gallery,  Eureka, CA.

2015 Representation Art League Annual Show, Eureka CA

2014 Representational Art League Annual Show, Eureka CA

2014 MBPAPA Juried Members Show at Natividad, Salinas CA

2013 MBPAPA Juried Members Show at Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove CA

2012  MBPAPA / Natividad/ TALC, "Field to Fork Show", Salinas CA     2ND Place Award

            MBPAPA Juried Members Show  held at Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove CA

2011 MBPAPA / Natividad Show, Salinas CA

2010  Humboldt County Fair, Ferndale CA      Special Award   
2009
Humboldt County Fair, Professional-Amatuer Show, Ferndale, CA.,  Victorian Inn / Silva's Fine Jewelry  Special Award

2008-2002
Humboldt County Fair Juried Show, Ferndale, CA. 2004;  Dr. Donal McCall Special Award
Humboldt County Fair Juried Show,Ferndale, CA. 2002; 2nd Place Award 
Redwood Art Association,Eureka, CA., 2003; Willis and Disiere Award
Redwood Art Association, Eureka, CA. 2002;  Humboldt Bank Award
Redwood Art Associaton, Eureka, CA., 2002;  The Art Center Award                                                                                                                                             

Galleries and Exhibitions:

2010-2016

Strawberry Rock Gallery, Trinidad, CA.

Curley's Full Circle Restaurant, Ferndale CA

Cornerstone Realty, Fortuna, CA

The Highland Art Center Gallery, Weaverville, CA.

The Crown Jewell, Jacksonville, Or.
Artists Ten Gallery, Art of Wine,Eureka, CA.
Art of Wine, RAL Group Show, Eureka, CA.
The Crown Jewel, Ashland & Jacksonville OR.
Gallery One, Grants Pass, OR.
Abraxas, Eureka, CA.
Studio S Gallery, Eureka, CA.
Frank Bette Center for the Arts, Alameda, CA.
The Trinidad Art Gallery, Trinidad, CA.
Body Works, Fortuna, CA.

20015-2002

Curley's Grill, Ferndale, CA.

 Studio S Gallery, Eureka, CA.

Watertower Gallery, Eureka, CA.
Humboldt's Finest, Eureka, CA.
Cody's Gallery,  Eureka, CA.
Sensation's Gallery,  Eureka, CA.
The Irish Shop, Eureka, CA.
Oh, Behave, Ashland, OR.
Frank's Pottery, Ashland,OR.
The Ship's Inn, Eureka, CA.
Ramone's Bakery, Eureka, CA.
321 Coffee, Eureka,CA.
The Crown Jewel, Ashland  & Jacksonville ,OR.
The Abraxas, Eureka, CA.
Annie Magnolia, Eureka, CA.
Trinidad Art Gallery, Trinidad, CA.
Fray's Insurance, Eureka, CA.
Wacovia, Eureka, CA.

Continuing Education:

2011-2016

Plein Air Convention and Expo. Las Vegas, NV. 3yrs. in  Monterey, CA., & Tuscon, AZ. 

 2016-2002

Continued Study with Thomas Jefferson Kitts, Carmel, CA.

Continued Study with Ray Roberts, Vermillion Cliffs, AZ. & St. George, UT.

Continued Study with John Burton, Crystal Cove, CA.

Continued Study with Brian Blood, Pebble Beach, CA.

Continued Study with Ken Auster, Marconi Center, 

Continued Study with Quang Ho, Monterey, CA. Tomales Bay, CA.

Continued Study with Dan Gerhartz, Monterey, CA.

Continued Study with Dan Pinkham, Monterey, CA.

Continued study with George Gallo, Monterey, CA.

Continued Study with Stock Schlueter, Eureka, CA.

Continued Study with George Strickland, Laguna Beach, CA.
Continued Study  of Portraiture, at the Angel Academy of Art, Florence, Italy
Continued Study at the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France

Articles;
2004
The Humboldt Beacon  "Michelle Murphy-Ferguson, An Artist Among Us" Oct.14, 2004

Affiliations:
2008-2002
California Art Club - Associate Artist

Laguna Plein Air Painters - Artist Member
Monterey  Bay Plein Air Painters Association - Signature Artist Member
Oil Painters of America -   Associate Artist 
Redwood Art Association - Artist Member
Representational Art League - Artist Member
Humboldt Arts Council - Artist Member
The Ink People for the Arts - Past Artist Member

Teaching

2009-2015

Michelle's G ST. Studio, Eureka, CA.

Multi Generational Center,  Newburg Rd. Fortuna, CA. 

Painting lessons

2016-2004
Workshops: The Art Center Building Studios, 207 G st. Eureka, CA.
Call for more info. 707-768-3421

Photographs of Paintings
by Chris Wisner, www.ecwisner.com