© Catherine Frey Murphy
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Ever since I can remember, I've loved to draw, and loved best to draw people and their fascinating faces. I studied art in college, hoping to illustrate children’s books, but the demands of raising children and earning a living led my adult life in other directions. I never stopped drawing for the sheer fun of it, though, and over the years I managed to publish a few illustrations in magazines and children’s publications.
I understand pens and pencils better than paintbrushes, so I worked in graphite pencil or pen and ink for most of my artistic life. Then I discovered the magic of colored pencil and fell irrevocably in love. Now retired, I'm free to spend whole days scribbling with my hundreds of pencils, exploring different surfaces and seeing how far I can develop my understanding of color, value, and composition. I enjoy creating portraits that catch moments and tell stories. I am a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and a Signature member of the United Kingdom Colour Pencil Society. I live with my husband beside a small lake in rural New York State, where we enjoy visits with our three grown-up children and five grandchildren.
Society Achievements
Signature Status 2025
Awards/Exhibitions
My drawings have been juried into international online shows, have won awards, and have been published in books and magazines. Among my proudest achievements are winning two “Highly Commended” awards in UKCPS “Inside the Lines” exhibitions and achieving UKCPS Signature status.