birdsong

Here’s a sneak preview of birdsong #10, an interview with inspired artist/curator/author/publisher/designer/dilettante Mark Murphy!

Mark Murphy actively archives living artists. Mark’s sole mission over the past 20 years has been to market, exhibit and publish the best in the visual narrative arts movement— rich in story telling. Mark has curated 3 museum installations and 32 gallery exhibitions in Los Angeles, Charleston, Cleveland, New York, Laguna and San Diego. Mark has an eye for detail and recognizes living talent who celebrate a deep and rich aesthetic. You can learn more about MarkMurphy and the artists that he celebrates by visiting http://murphydesign1.blogspot.com/ and http://www.murphydesign.com/

Much like the Five on It interview with Julia Wertz, Mark presented some links to images in his interview that would probably translate better on the blog than the zine. So a version is in print and a version is up here for you all. I must say, it never ceases to amaze me when big shots like Mark are supportive of our community. I mean he doesn’t owe us a thing! Thanks so much for the opportunity Mark, and on with the banal questions!

1) What’s the last song you listened to?

“Svefn-g-Englar” by Sigur Ros. In my opinion, they are the greatest embodiment of music making and art going right now. Very inspiring.

2) What did you want to be when you were ten?

I honestly can not remember. Maybe a Jonny Socko or Ultra Man character. Some type of robotic superhero that could fly.

3) What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

When I was 21 I worked for a Toledo marketing mogul, Mike Zapiecki, where I served as production assistant/stat camera/paste-up/junior designer kind of guy. Mike decided to layoff the entire design department with exception to me and my pal Andrea, due to a client firing, officially moving me up in the ranks to art director. Needless to say, there was a bit much on my plate, and with the absence of able bodies, there was much to do. I was killing myself to stay ahead of due dates and daily pilings on and had personally forfeited the idea of sleep for many months. Suddenly, it had occurred to me that sacrificing mind and body might be ok if there was more money involved (sadly, I was only bringing in $12k per year at that point and it was a weeee bit below the poverty level). There was nothing to loose, so I arranged a brief office visit with Mr. Zapiecki to humbly request a $20k salary increase through my manager. To my surprise, it was company policy to submit a written request, along with a multi-page document that proved individual value and accomplished work while working at the company. Bull-shit I can assure you, however I put an impressive document together and awaited a sit down with the company Dom. PS, it only took 29 working days to finally meet up with the owner of this 32 person company and visit with him in his big corner office.

And now the story begins, “Paul, nice to see you, please come in.” “Paul? I thought to myself, ok just roll with it…” So what is it that you came to see me about today? Mike said to me. (Further thought to myself, I put together a pretty extensive overview and presentation as requested. Still rolling…) I replied, “A salary increase of $20k for my many months of service, to help me get by in the world, since I have been carrying a heavy work load and managing over $3M in accounts. ” Mike looked at me, smiled and raised his head (blood dripping out of his nose, hmmm I wonder why?), “It might be time for you to find another job. You may want to remind yourself, you are one of the lucky ones. Is there anything else you would like to say?”

4) What’s the last thing you were obsessed with?

Obsessed with many thoughts over the recent project by NASA to slap the face of the moon with a 5,600 mph bomb the size of a bus. The LCROSS, (NASA’s title for this irreverent concept), inspired me to paint a series of paintings about NASA’s attempt to crack the creamy center of our lunar friend, only to find something more horrifying. I think the concept of looking for trace signs of water and ice by raising levels of moon dust seems a bit riddling and weakens the notion that we landed up there in the first place. And thus a series of small paintings posted up on

Unsettled Moon (click for more)

and

Moon Blast

5) What are you afraid of?

All of these Zombie movies make me feel like there is some reality to the fact we are all turning into this slow to move, mumbling, flesh eating race. But seriously, I think my fear is running out of time. Working in the arts is an amazing gift, provides millions of considerations I would have otherwise never thought of, and those who are creative minded have provided countless moments of inspiration. I think all of it pulled together makes for a life enriched and my life worth living for. There is much work to be done. A lifelong commitment to archive as many living artists now, so that there legacy can be celebrated beyond their years. A museum project, more books, exhibitions, a foundation to offer scholarships and commissioned paintings. All of this can be done, but in a short while.