30 Year Anniversary Art Show Artist Feature: Lane Murphy

As we gear up for our 30th Year Anniversary Art Show on July 19th, we're thrilled to introduce our second featured artist, Lane Murphy. Lane, our talented Senior Workflow Coordinator, has shared some fascinating insights about his journey and creative process. Let's dive into our conversation with Lane and learn more about his work and inspirations.

Lane Murphy, originally from Tampa, FL, grew up in Spring Hill, FL. Moved to Arkansas for school and decided to stay because he enjoyed it so much. Lane has crafted a unique piece for the upcoming art show—a beautiful entertainment center made from an old door and reclaimed lumber, with antique store knobs as cabinet handles.

When asked to describe his piece, Lane shared, "It’s pretty simple in its form. I found the door at a flea market, and the idea immediately snapped into my head. I’ve seen other people use old doors for desks and table tops, so there was inspiration from there."

The process of creating this piece has been a labor of love for Lane. "I’m currently still working on it, but from drawing up the design to the finished product, I’d say about 15-20 hours. I don’t really keep track of the time. I’m just starting out, so I’m probably way underestimating the time I’m about to put in," he explained.

For Lane, creativity is about transformation. "Using your mind to change the world around you. I feel like creative minds aren’t just limited to artistic media but in everything that we do. Just being able to come up with a plan to solve any given problem is inherently creative—you’re creating change."

Lane is particularly drawn to natural and sustainable materials in his work. "I like using natural materials—woods, metals, fabrics, oils, etc.—while trying to use sustainable sources of those materials. Reclaimed lumber is a favorite, or incorporating old industrial pieces into the design."

His inspiration comes from a love of pre-WW2 buildings and design. "I love old pre-WW2 buildings and design in general. I like the permanence and emphasis on importance of Art Deco design with the simplicity of contemporary art. I think Art Deco architecture is to America what Roman architecture is to Rome. Contemporary designers like Frank Lloyd Wright have inspired my work too. I think the simplicity in the designs allows for the natural materials to show off. So, I think my style is a combination of these if I’m making something of my own design. I want things to be timeless so they’re kept around and have a place in any decor. If I’m reusing materials, I like to build whatever suits the material in a way I think best shows it off, even if that’s something different and unique."

When it comes to his favorite creations, Lane has a soft spot for cutting boards. "Probably cutting boards, mostly because I like gifting them to people, and their reactions are always nice. But I don’t think I have a favorite out of all of them. They can be tedious to make sometimes, but having the right tools helps."

We’re so excited to see Lane’s unique entertainment center at our 30th Year Anniversary Art Show. Stay tuned for more artist features and get ready to be inspired by the incredible talent within our community!

Save the date: July 19th! We can't wait to celebrate with you and showcase the amazing artwork created by our talented team.