Robert Murray Biography
I was born in Roswell, New Mexico in 1950. My uncles first taught me about trout when I was seven (my father did not enjoy fishing). We fished the streams of northern New Mexico around Taos and Chama. It was then that I became fascinated by clear, moving water and I am still enthralled.
I worked for years as a graphic artist and illustrator for a major Colorado aerospace company. My award-winning space illustrations appeared in numerous magazines and museum exhibits throughout the country. With the support of an understanding wife, I left the company in 1994 to freelance and pursue fine art. We have two children in college.
I don't consider myself to be exclusively a fishing artist, but I devote a fair amount of my time painting the various western rivers and lakes I've enjoyed all my life. I prefer wilderness waters and consequently have to backpack in to them. The solitude and beauty always makes these trips worth the effort and the fishing is much better.
Education
- Certification, Engineering Drafting School (Technical Illustration), 1979
- Commercial Art course work, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, 1973
- BFA-Painting, Colorado State University, 1972
Employment History
- Artist / Illustrator, 1994-present
- Sr. Creative Illustrator, Martin Marietta Astronautics,
Denver, CO,
1980-1994 - Exhibit Engineer, Condit Exhibits, Denver, CO, 1978-1980
- Graphic Artist, Regional Transportation District, Denver,
CO, 1974-1977
Experience in Commercial Art
I’ve won numerous awards from the Society for Technical Communications for both graphic design and illustration (national and international competitions). My paintings have appeared in major publications such as Air & Space Smithsonian, Aerospace America, Aviation Week, Popular Science and many others. Several of my illustrations were featured in a long term exhibition in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Washington D.C.
Experience in Fine Art
- 1976 – 5th Colorado Annual – The Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO. A juried exhibition.
- 1986 – Littleton Town Hall – Aerospace Illustrators Exhibition, Littleton CO.
- 1987 – Two man show – Jefferson Bank and Trust, Lakewood CO.
- 1992-"Visions of Space" – Fiske Planetarium, Boulder
CO. A juried
exhibition. - 1994-"Works on Canvas" – Lakewood Municipal Center, Lakewood CO. Juried Exhibition, Award Winner.
- 1994 – "Visions of Space" – Fiske Planetarium, Boulder
CO. A juried
exhibition, Award Winner. - 1995 – 34th Poudre Valley Art Exhibition (a National Show), Lincoln Center, Ft. Collins, CO. A Juried Exhibition, Award Winner.
- 1996 – 5th Northern Colorado Artist Association (a National Show), Lincoln Center, Ft. Collins, CO. Juried Exhibition.
- 1996 – Featured Artist for the Month of June, "River Portraits", Saks Galleries of Cherry Creek, Denver CO.
- 1995,1996,1997,1998-"Small Treasures"Saks Galleries of Cherry Creek, Denver, CO.
- 2002 – Five Conceptual murals painted for the Mars Society, Kennedy Space Center
- 2005 – Mini 100, Arts for the parks, Painting sold to Grand Canyon Association
- 2005 – Commision for the Gart Brothers Corporate offices.
- 2006 – Top 100, Arts for the parks, Painting sold to Private Collector.
- 2007 – Second 100, Paint the Parks.
- 2009 – Top 100, Paint the Parks.
- 2009 – Top 100, Paint America.