Annie Murphy-Robinson is an American artist with an MA in Studio Arts. She was announced as the 2nd Place Winner in the 3rd Edition of the Boynes Emerging Artist Award with her Sanded Charcoal drawing titled “Voodoo Child”.

Can you describe your work?

My work is about memories: real and not real, truths and lies- fluid and changing. Through embedding layers of charcoal, memories are redefined, refracted and reclaimed. My work is about my own experiences re-imagined through imagery of my children. I create hyper- realistic drawings by using charcoal and sanding it into heavy printmaking paper, the process is reductive rather than additive. this process creates an image that is "lived in", which, in turn, creates a feeling of authenticity.

What inspired you to start creating art?

Loneliness; which turned into an outlet that kept giving back, and an urge that has always been there. Also, I was the only girl and the youngest. I kept to myself out of fear and survival mostly and started doing art for as long as I can remember.

Where did the lonliness come from?

The loneliness is from an overwhelmed mother taking care of 3 stepsons and her own two children.

What inspires your work now?

My experience, my children and teaching, I teach art at a continuation high school and also yoga and ukulele. Trauma and neglect is (was) the experience. Everything in my life currently, as well as my past, affects my work- at least subconsciously. I still need an outlet and I still have an urge that comes from somewhere deep.

What mediums do you work in and experiment with?

I work with charcoal and sandpaper, but have recently gotten some tinted charcoal pencils and gouache- I also demonstrate with these in every lesson plan for my students and I also like to push artistic limits in class!

Do you have any particular ways that you work through a creative block?

Yes I work in my studio and sand charcoal ( draw!) until I am unblocked. If I give it 15 or so minutes I am back in the flow!

How do you manage the need for perfection within your work?

I scrutinize by doing- the seeing mind starts to override the thinking mind and I intuitively keep moving around to areas that seem rough, redrawing and re-sanding until I am satisfied- again, no words- I know when I am done with an area.

How do you process/come to terms with and even use other people's opinion of your work?

I try not to take it personally, I know that my work is technically sound and beyond that it connects with other people through shared experience. People connect differently, and some aren't ready to see or haven't been there yet to personally connect.

Are there an artists who inspire you creatively?

Yes, Sally Mann, Jock Sturges, Kiki Smith and Bernini mainly- although there are many others! The artist who created the first drawn narrative of a reindeer licking another reindeer's nose in Font De Guame cave in France is another example.

To view more of Annie Murphy-Robinson’s work

Website

Facebook

Instagram