Introduction

I was humbled to be asked to write this introduction for Michael Murphy Tymon’s artwork exhibition.

I had known Michael “Murph” since he was a boy and soon came to learn of his artistic talent through our friendship with his parents, Tim and Eileen. As he grew, so did his talent and skill as an artist. Michael began high school at Lancaster Catholic where he was fortunate enough to fall under the tutelage of Richard Ressel, his art teacher who took note of Michael’s talents and intense introspection about his art. Through Dick’s wonderful guidance and instruction, Michael discovered the world of art and began to grow as a fine artist. He went on to complete high school at the Vermont Academy in Saxton Rivers, Vermont, and upon graduation was accepted to the Rhode Island School of Design.

It was at RISD where Michael would begin to expand and hone his artistic skills and vision. Through his professors at RISD, he was able to travel to Italy several times, and there he discovered the works of the Renaissance artists and sculptors. All part of his journey, these trips would have a profound influence on his development as a fine artist and would soon become apparent in the drawings, paintings and sculptures he would produce.

Michael was dedicated to the pursuit of his art and was not concerned with professional recognition or commercial success. His raison d'être was always to create art not only inspired by the world around him but also from an inner passion to emulate the Renaissance masters whose work he so admired. In the time between graduating RISD and his tragic and untimely departure, he turned out a large and varied body of work that advanced his skills and development as a fine artist.

As a professional illustrator, I recognized the immense potential in Murph’s abilities and only became more amazed as those abilities as an artist grew. I also knew that Michael had the soul of an artist, looking at the world as only an artist does; where everything his vision took in was a composition composed of shapes, light, perspective, color and contrast.

We are all left to ponder what Michael’s future as an artist would have embodied. The 34 pieces in this exhibition only scratch the surface of that potential.  I have no doubt that in addition to leaving his mark on the burgeoning and vibrant Lancaster art scene, it would have only been a matter of time until his work and reputation would have preceded him to the larger art world beyond his Lancaster roots.

As an artist myself and knowing the extent of his talents, I can just imagine what great artistic accomplishments Michael would have achieved.

This exhibition of Michael Murphy Tymon’s work is a testimonial to an intense and passionate young artist.

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Bot Roda
Lancaster, PA (2020)
botroda.com