Mary-Jo Murphy’s collection of original works “Whimsical Wags… Where Art Meets Bark” will be exhibiting at the Harbor Village Gallery from Wednesday, August 11 to Sunday, September 5, 2010. A “pet-friendly” Artist Reception will be held on Friday, August 13, 2010 from 5 – 8pm.

Mary-Jo Murphy’s work is simply fun and catchy, bringing smiles and laughter to animal and art admirers. Her subjects are “man’s best friends” including; dogs, cats and other animals rendered in a range of colors, full of energy and love. Her work expresses the bond between beloved pets and humans. Looking into the eyes of our pets we feel their compassion and joy. Murphy states, “Their wisdom remains unspoken but not un-communicated.” Reminiscent of pop art with an iconic appeal, Murphy’s work is composed with fun, solid-color backgrounds and close-ups of the beloved animal’s smiling face. Think Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe, but with funky animals as the star of the show! This exhibit joyfully presents Murphy’s bold work in acrylics, watercolors, and digital ink-resist.

Murphy’s passion and talent in the arts has been evident from a young age. When she was twelve she won ribbons for her work at the County Fair in Connecticut. During her mid-twenties she took painting, illustrating, and printmaking classes at The Academy of Art in San Francisco, but her artists’ soul gave way to a practical reality that guided her towards the medical field. Currently, Murphy is a Health and Diabetes Educator, a Registered Nurse, a Motivational Speaker, an Artist, and a writer and editor for the Ojai and Ventura View, among many other titles. One of her hot items right now is her personalized pet portraits through the Harbor Village Gallery. Prices range from $250 and up, in various sizes, and finely executed in watercolors, acrylics or digital ink resist.

Her work has been exhibited throughout several galleries in California including the Artist’s Union Gallery, the Buenaventura Gallery, Harbor Village Gallery, the Thousand Oaks Art Association Gallery, and the Topanga Canyon Gallery. She exhibited in the 2009 Art Bark Fest in Squaw Valley. Some of her awards include Best in Show for Painting with the Alta Bates Foundation in Berkeley. She has been a member of the Buenaventura Art Association since 2008.

Murphy’s work is beautiful and full of glee. Come and fulfill your need for art and laughter with her funky paintings of animals.

This is Murphy’s first solo exhibit with the Buenaventura Art Association.

The Harbor Village Gallery is located at 1591 Spinnaker Dr., entrance # 3 in the Ventura Harbor Village, next to the big lawn. Open Monday through Thursday (closed on Tuesdays) from 12 to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11a.m. to 6p.m. For more information, call the gallery at 805-644-2750 or visit www.harborvillagegallery.com or www.buenaventuragallery.org