If you visit Beth Murphy ’ s beautiful house on Route 30 in Bomoseen , you will likely find her hard at work preparing one of her magnificent pressed botanical artworks in her home studio . It ’ s been several decades since Murphy first started pressing flowers , but she still finds considerable fulfillment in every new artistic project . “ I see my art as a vehicle that nature moves through ,” says Murphy . “ My goal with the artwork that I make under the Beth Murphy Botanicals imprint is to transmit the feelings of peace and relaxation that I experience while creating them .”
Although flower pressing is a centuries-old art form , Murphy takes a distinctly modern approach with her work . She uses acrylic and watercolor paints in many of her pieces , as well as unique papers that add texture and depth . Murphy ’ s mixed media collages incorporate a broad range of flowers and plants , many of which are grown in the outdoor garden on her property in Bomoseen . Some of her works are representational in nature , while others are more abstract . In addition to exhibiting her work , Murphy has found considerable success with her line of bridal bouquet collages . “ I use the flowers from bridal bouquets to make deeply personal collages ,” says Murphy . “ It allows my clients to preserve their treasured memories in a beautiful way .”
After moving to Vermont from New Jersey in 2017 with her husband , Thomas , Murphy has found stable footing in the Vermont artistic community . Her works have been sold and shown at Sparrow Art Supply in Middlebury , Frog Hollow Farm Store in Hubbardton , and the Vermont Welcome Center on Route 4 in Fair Haven . She has also taught workshop classes at her studio and at Equinox Village in Manchester , and her work will be featured in the upcoming “ Fine Feathers ” exhibit at the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington . Murphy is hosting an Open Studio Weekend sponsored by the Vermont Crafts Council in late May , and she encourages visitors to call and book an appointment to visit her workshop at other times , as well . As Murphy gears up for a busy summer season , she graciously agreed to share the process that goes into making her gorgeous botanical artworks with VERMONT Magazine . “ The great thing about flower pressing is that there is no competition but yourself ,” says Murphy . “ You can do anything you want with it , once you learn the basics .”
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