Roberta Murray

As our world becomes more and more complicated and confining, we crave freedom. Whether that freedom comes in the form of wide open spaces or in our spirit, it is that one imperceptible quality that is missing from many of our lives. It is this search for freedom that I explore in my art. 

I find the landscape the perfect subject for exploring this theme. Vast open spaces and big skies, where the weather shapes the land; these landscapes are places where a person’s thoughts have room to grow and the self becomes small in comparison to the grandeur of the universe. While the landscape forms the majority of my work, there are diversions into the people and animals that best represent the free spirit. 

My work is mostly representational painting in an impressionistic style. I am less a slave to a particular ‘ism’ though, as with accurately representing a particular mood or spirit. I don’t strive to copy nature exactly. I want to capture an emotion, allowing the viewer to feel a sense of grandeur and awe, or maybe even a touch of loneliness. Sometimes all I’m asking of the viewer is to step away from the turmoil of modern life to reflect on the natural beauty of the world. I want the viewer to get a sense of the internal stories that exist inside of me. Quiet stories of a life lead simply.

Education:

Ongoing: Studies with Michael Downs, Zhaoming Wu, Susan Woolgar, Samantha DaSilva, Willie Wong, Eleanor Lowden-Pidgeon, Lian Zhen
2007: Master Spinners Certificate with distinction, Olds College, Olds, Alberta
1990: Professional Photography Certificate, New York Institute of Photography, NY

Awards & Distinctions:

2013 Prix de la Photographie Paris, 2nd place Book Series
2013 International Color Awards, Photography Masters Cup, UK Honorable Mention
2012 International Color Awards, Photography Masters Cup, UK, nominee
2012 Black & White Spider Awards, nominee 
2011 International Color Awards, Photography Masters Cup, UK, nominee
2011 Black & White Spider Awards, nominee
2011 Prix de la Photographie Paris, 3rd place Book Series
2011 Prix de la Photographie Paris, honorable mention Fine Art 
2010 Photo Life Magazine, annual international photo contest, Feb. 2010
2009 Photo Life Magazine, annual international photo contest, Feb. 2009
2007 Diversity 2007, 3rd place People’s Choice award, Visual Arts Alberta Assoc. (VAAA) Show, Edmonton, AB
1982 Springbank Fall Fair, 1st place Photography, Springbank, AB
 

Exhibitions:

Solo Exhibitions
2013 This Is Home, Solo Show, Marjorie Wood Gallery, Red Deer, AB
2012 Beyond The Looking Glass, Solo Show, Kiwanis Gallery, Red Deer, AB
2012 Beyond The Looking Glass, Public art presentation, City of Calgary, AB
2011 Dreams, Solo Show, Spruce Grove Art Gallery, Spruce Grove, AB
2011 Artists In The Office, Solo Show, Red Deer Arts Council, Red Deer, AB
2010 This Is Real, Two Person Show, Walterdale Playhouse, Edmonton, AB
2010 Land Of Possibility, Solo Show, Harris-Warke Gallery, Red Deer, AB
2009 Uncommon Depth, Solo Show, Rocky Public Library, Rocky Mountain House, AB
2009 Looking Glass, Two Person Show, VAAA Gallery, Edmonton, AB

Select Group Exhibitions
2015 Society Of Canadian Artists 47th Annual Open Juried Show, Gainsborough Gallery, Calgary, AB
2015 Landscapes, Juried Group Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2014 Annual International Representational Juried Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2014 Journey In Art Juried Show, Leighton Art Centre, Calgary, AB
2013 Six Shooters, Curated Show, Eigth Avenue Place, Calgary, AB
2013 Prix de la Photographie, Curator’s Choice, Dupon Espace Gallery, Paris, France
2013 Calgary Stampede Western Art Auction, Juried, Calgary, AB
2013 The Artist’s Lens, Juried Show, Artpoint Gallery, Calgary, AB
2013 Celebrating Alberta, Juried Show, Traveling Exhibition, Alberta Society Of Artists
2013 Twitter Art Exhibit, Exhale Unlimited Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2012 Red Deer Arts Council Members Show, Juried Show, Kiwanis Gallery, Red Deer, AB
2102 Art Brownie Rainbow, INDEXG Gallery, Toronto, ON
2012 The Drawing Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2012 Kellicutt International, Coastal Arts League Gallery & Museum, San Francisco, CA
2011 Passionate Conversations, Kiwanis Gallery, Red Deer, AB
2011 Peaches & Cream, Juried Show, Dreamspace Gallery, London, UK
2011 Energize, Juried Group Show, VAAA, Harcourt House, Edmonton, AB
2011 Pulse, Curated Show, Triangle Gallery of Visual Art, Calgary, AB
2011 Wonderland, Juried Group Show, Photo Place Gallery, Middlebury, VT USA
2011 Phone-o-graphic Arts, Juried Group Show, Dark Room Gallery, Essex Junction, VT
2011 Photo Place Open, Juried Group Show, Photo Place Gallery, Middlebury, VT USA
2011 Colour Of Light, Juried Group Show, PhotoHaus Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2010 42nd National Juried Show, Society of Canadian Artists, Todmorden Mills, Toronto, ON
2010 Artistic Expressions, Group Show, Westerner Days Exhibition, Red Deer, AB
 

Professional/Teaching Experience:

2015 Professional Artist Magazine Feb/March Edition

Artistic Influences:

Frederick George Cross (relative), Soviet, Dutch, and French Impressionists, and many modern painters such as Richard Schmid, Zhaoming Wu, Terry Miura

Tags:

impressionist, landscape, sky, painterly, prairie, rural