N E I L   B R I A N   M U R P H Y

San Francisco Bay Area-based artist, illustrator, and designer

I'm currently updating this site so please stop back soon. Many new paintings and prints will be on display here by 6/10/13.

2013 brings big changes. I've moved to a new studio space at the Peninsula Art Institute. Please contact me if you'd like a studio tour.

Collection 1: Landscapes	Collection 2: Sentient Beings	Collection 3: Grayscale	Collection 4: Abstractions

Neurotransmitter Series - a fascinating microcosmic gift to visual abstraction

One class of receptors for the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin utilizes a protein molecule that winds back and forth through the neuronal cell membrane seven times. (How the hell did this miniscule part of the system evolve?) Astounding.

Serotonin 5HT Receptor (Left - ~60" x 60" - 2012)
In this painting the helical shape of the molecule is evident as it passes 7 times through the cell membrane. ~56" x 56"

Dopamine D2 Receptor (Right - ~58" x 58" - 2012)
An abstracted representation of a neuron's surface with a D2 receptor. No... there are no red-orange squares inside neurons. Yet.)

Impossible Cubes Series

The arrangement of these cubes would be impossible to reconstruct in 'real life.' They are Escher-esque in that sense. These two images are from a series of paintings that explores the surfaces and interior volumes of this curious arrangement of cubes. Surfaces become interiors - interiors become surfaces. (2012)