Wednesday, July 7, 2010

An Angus Legend: Frank C. Murphy

Today, the Angus community received word of the passing of a legend. Longtime Angus artist Frank Champion Murphy passed away June 28 in his home state of Illinois.

I had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Murphy on several different occasions, and he was a true gentleman. Although he grew up in the Chicago area, he spent his summers in Texas on his grandparents' cattle ranch, and had drawn and painted for the American Angus Association for nearly 60 years. He was very fond of the Angus breed, and you could tell that by the time and energy he spent on each of his pieces.

In 2002, Frank was commissioned to paint, "In Apple Blossom Time," for the Association. The original hangs just outside my office near my friend and assistant, Monica's desk. Number 1 of 1500 signed and numbered hangs in my office--no I didn't buy that one, I have 528 at home--and it is one of my favorite Murphy pieces, depicting a "typical" Midwest farm scene in the springtime. While creating this masterpiece, Frank taught me a little about art. Remember, I struggle with stick people. He taught me that there is "no true black" that he paints an Angus using a multitude of colors. He also used several cows, including my friend Tanya's El to put together his "ideal" mama cow for this picture.



Of course, who doesn't love the calf and the butterfly? I loved working in the PR department, and handing this or the calf and prairie dog out at trade show booths--especially to multi-generation visitors. It was always fun to hear the grandparent pick "just one" up for the grandchild at home "because I had it in my room when I was a kid." This original is also outside my office, and I pass it, only about 72 times a day when I'm going to the photocopier.



And, then of course, some of my all time favorites are the pencil sketches. That is how Frank really got his start for the Association--sketching Angus for some early 1950s ad campaigns. The Angus Foundation has turned a series of four of these into their "Profitmaker" series and sells them. I bought the set last year, framed them, and gifted them two at a time to my dad for Father's Day and Christmas--only after I had Frank personalize and sign one of them. Hang onto that one Dad!



Frank painted up until his last days, including last September's Angus Journal cover, which showed the changing times, a family in front of a backdrop at a county fair, getting photographed with a camera phone.

In my mind, he truly is an Angus legend, and has contributed greatly to the breed and the Angus Foundation through his time and talent. I know there is a big canvas, and "the cattle upon a thousand hills" for Frank Champion Murphy to paint in Heaven. I know he'll paint them all Angus. God Bless you, Frank.

4 comments:

  1. Jennifer CarricoWednesday, July 07, 2010

    As I read this I was looking over on the opposite wall at the 2 Murphy prints I have. One, the personalized "Angus in the High Country" that I had signed when I was on the NJAA board and the other a gift, "Champions on Parade" from the Iowa State Fair. I love them both. The others in the house include the 2 calf pictures you mentioned above. He was a true blessing to the Angus people.

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  2. Mark got me Apple Blossoms as a Christmas gift and I love it. It was my favorite painting of his, but realistically all of his paintings were beautiful. I loved coming to the office and seeing them each day! Frank Murphey will be missed, but lucky for all of us, he left many beautiful pieces behind!

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  3. I have been searching for some of his other work, specifically his Snipe sailboat and after 25 years finally found the Snipe and the M Scow prints. I am thrilled. Thanks for the write up!

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  4. I have one of the bull framed and ready to sell. Please email me at toniann1958@yahoo.com or text me 217.254.8664 thanks toni

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