Kelly Murphy's Blog

I've been trying to write for a long time now. I'm not the most confident in my abilities. I sometimes think my story ideas are too frivolous or personal. 2024 was the year I tried to stop that mindset, and finally take the next step in my illustration career. I won't lie that waiting back to hear about your own authored works is WAY worse than illustrations. That kind of isolation really destroys any kind of confidence. However, my illustrative side thrives on solitude.

So, I'll still be wandering around in the unknown until I'm thrown a lifeline! In the meantime, I'm still contemplating enrolling in boat building/restoration school. We'll see.

This is a phenomenal animation I ran into while doing some research! It has fantastic character design and great comedic timing. BIG FAN!

Albeit, a bit late! However, I hope this year is finding everyone well. It's been a rocky start, for sure. I used to really hold on to the idea that there were good year and bad years - but honestly, I am appreciating everyday I'm here these days. Life moves fast, and I'm just glad to still be spinning around the sun!

Here's my latest new years card, in the series of "Floating Boats". We are on year SIX! I admit, I missed 2020's, and perhaps I had an inner feeling about what was to come only a few months later. My last new years card series lasted 10 years, and I hope to keep that same number! 

This year's card features the Antigua. The barkentine Antigua has been sailing in European waters for more than half a century. The ship was built in Great Britain in 1957 as a fishing vessel. In 1993, the Antigua was transformed into her current form, a typical three-master. During the restoration, the Antigua was re-rigged as a barquentine. The result is an elegant ship with great charisma and excellent sailing characteristics. In 2005, the Antigua was acquired by the Tallship Company. After a few years, it became clear that the Antigua could be further improved. Gaastmeer Architects drew up plans to extend the ship. The Antigua was one of the first ships for which they developed such plans. The Antigua was lengthened by 8 metres. In 2021, another project was started: the deckhouse. A place was created where you can keep warm and dry while enjoying the view. 

As you may have guessed, it was the vessel I was lucky to sail upon on my Arctic adventure. She's no longer allowed in the waters around Svalbard due to new regulations, but I believe she has future trips around Norway and southern Scandinavia. She was a real comfortable ship!

More soon, but happy year of the snake! It's my year! 🐍🎊

 The last few days I've been able to really go back into all of the photos and trip logs of my June 2024 past trip to Svalbard. A whir of emotions surround it, mostly being a sense of nervousness that I'll never be able to go back and see those far off places. Even more-so, I miss the barquentine Antigua. She was the 44th member of the trip, and I felt her kind presence the whole time. When I was in the Arctic, I had very little trouble working in my sketchbook and observing all of the amazing details around me. Back in my studio I am artistically frozen - unable to capture or translate all of those amazing emotions I felt back there. Unable, or is is fear? I'm worried that my limited talent and ability will not be able to capture everything I love about that place.

I'll keep trying. It's why my 2025 New Years card is so late.

Well, it's nearly the end of another year, and FIVE years since I've posted to my old blog. I miss this type of diary entry. Social media has taken some strange turns and we now see the limitations of the immediate.  

These five years past have been incredible - both in their celebrations and losses. Always fortunate to still be spinning around the sun. This year in particular was mind blowing. I was fortunate to be able to travel to the Arctic Circle (80˚20'61 N 008˚48'46 E to be specific) aboard the tall ship Antigua accompanied by some of the most incredibly giving and talented artists, crew members, and guides that I will NEVER forget. I still dream of being aboard the ship and the vividness of the midnight sun is so permanently etched into my heart. I'm on a constant mission to return again soon.

I've was fortunate to visit Denmark, Norway, Svalbard, France, Austria, and Hungary. Five of those countries are completely new to me! I'm still overwhelmed thinking about it. Antoine and I have now been married for FIFTEEN years, but I've officially known him for over 29 years. He's the best friend and loyal partner I could have ever hoped for. And, many joke that we run an animal menagerie, complete with Kiwi & Gaetano (chihuahuas), Matryoshka (Russian tortoise), Tampa (yellow bellied slider turtle), Poprocks & Batman (bettas), Bang (green terror cichlid) and two stocked aquatic tanks. We welcome many fuzzy friends while pet sitting for others throughout the year as well (Ollie, Lucy, Linus, Chappy, William, Tesla, etc.)

The last big news - and it's not 100% official just yet... but I think I've sold my second authored book. It's only been 22 years since the last one! And you may have guessed it... it's all about tallships and my mildly recent obsession with sailing! 2026 is going to be an amazing 250th anniversary celebration for the United States and I hope my book help usher in the amazing ship parade planned for the eastern seacoast. More on that later!! January will have two new book releases, too! Bea Birdsong's adorable Goat is the G.O.A.T.! and the phenom Elise Broach's Bulldozer & Friends book one! Wooooooof, what a year.

There's always a mix of emotions at key transitional moments, and a new years day is not exempt from this. There's the hope of future's promise, but also the regrets of opportunities not seized. Whatever the intensity of the emotion may be, it's important to stay present to adapt to this ever changing time that we live in. 2025, I think you will be nothing short of cuckoo🍌bananas. Let's do this! Happy New Year every one.
ps.) There's still new beers being had!!!

Here's a quick sampling of some quick warm-ups and practices I've been making as of late. Trying to give costume design a go! It's been very fun to create this motley assortment of witches.

Oh! And since the post in 2017, I've become an ocean lover. So strange! I've fallen in love with sailing! You see, I don't really love swimming in the water, but I love flying upon the water surface, at an 18˚ keeled over angle! Alas, it's the winter months here in New England, and the boats are just beginning their winter sleep. I'll miss the vitamin D!

Holy hannah. I finally remembered my password for the blog! I was locked out for so long.
Well, it's been such a long time since I've updated, so I don't know where to begin, truthfully. The new year is almost upon us, and many projects have come and gone. I am happy to say that I am working on a picture book currently and loving every minute of it. I'd love to update more in the next few weeks.

Phew! I'm back!!

I don't consider myself an ocean lover. I've never lived more than a half hour's drive from the seaside, and perhaps I've taken in for granted. But for some reason, the vastness of the ocean is such a strong metaphor in my work. I've used it frequently in images about fear and the future. Always looking for a few moments to paint for myself, I again found myself drawn to the idea of a lonely ship, cutting through the stillness of the water.
But this time, I wanted to clearly show the impending doom to the viewer. Would our sailor notice the approaching cascade? Time can only tell.

It's KRAAAAAAMPUS week again!!!!