Conor Murgatroyd
Artwork’s Title: Self Portait with Rottweiler
Materials Used: Enamel on linen
Studio Based: London
Can you tell us about the process of making your work?
I get into the studio every morning at 9am and finish at 4–6. I am very regimented and try to finish a few pieces a week.
How would you define your work in a few words (ideally in 3 words)?
Honest, Versatile, Astute.
How did you come up with this new painting idea of ‘Self Portait with Rottweiler‘? Is there any story behind this work?
I paint about my life, weather it be surreal made up compositions of my inner thoughts and in interests or a visual representation of what’s going on in front of me, say for this piece Self Portait With Rottweiler is me doing my morning boxing training in my local park with my favourite dog jumping over the fence.
‘WINDOWS‘ is your new solo show’s title. How did you decide to give this name?
All the paintings in the show all of shopfronts. As individual shops they mean a lot too me, so they are literally windows. They are also window into my world. I think what goes on in these shops contributes too culture, ie the characters and tradition. To me they make life colourful.
Are you only interested in artworks based in figuration and still lifes or do you feel that you can be equally engaged with more abstract practices?
One of the first painters that really got me into painting was Sean Scully and Callum Innes, so no abstraction has had a big part to play for me.
Do specific artworks have been created by random experiments in your studio or do you always come up with a particular concept or narrative from the very beginning?
There is always a framework to my paintings, a narrative or a story. I never work from a solely emotional foundation.
Is there any particular theme that utterly triggers you to engage your art with?
The french impressionists work makes me want to paint and to document life like they did whilst also encourages me to be more skill full and develop my technical skill.
Large or small scale canvases dilemma; are there any kind of standards that drive you to decide which surface length is better fitted for your final painting visualisations?
Yes! The size of the canvas always dictates what the painting will be, or always has a part to play. I try to use the size to the best I can .
What would be the best way to exhibit your work?
I love a traditional gallery setting the most!
Can you mention any artists you, lately or generally, take inspiration from?
I love Tom Howse work at the moment. In the long term Magritte has always been an inspiration along with Henri Fantin-Latour, Degas, Renoir, Manet, Hockney, Juan Gris, De Chirico and all paintings in the Sainsburys Wing at the National Gallery in London.
Do you ever wonder if additional work was needed, when an artwork’s making process is finished?
I have my most favourite pieces of mine up in my house and often want to alter or update them but then never do as I think I should leave them as they are because they remind me of who I was at that time and tell a story of how I got to that point in my life.
What do your mum and dad think about your art?
My dad likes it and is a good at drawings, my mum was in a famous goth band and they both are quite creative.
Which are your plans for the near future?
Document my life through the medium of painting and hope to bring something new to contemporary painting.
Additional Paintings
https://www.conormurgatroyd.com/
All images courtesy of the artist